OCT. 26, 2022

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 making it an annual observance, and it became a national holiday in 1938. Sixteen years later, then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name to Veterans Day to honor all those who served their country during war or peacetime. On this day, the nation honors military veterans -- living and dead -- with parades and other observances across the country and a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation in helping us measure America’s people, places and economy. 

Veteran Population

Did You Know?

16.5 million

The number of military veterans in the United States in 2021.

Source: 2021 American Community Survey 1-year estimates

1.7 million

The number of female veterans in the United States in 2021.

Source: 2021 American Community Survey 1-year estimates

1.9%

The percentage of veterans in 2021 who were Asian American. Additionally, 73.0% of veterans were non-Hispanic White; 8.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race); 12.3% African American; 0.7% American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.2% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and 2.7% were Some Other Race. (The numbers include only those reporting a single race.) Source: 2021 American Community Survey 1-year estimates

24.4%

The percentage of veterans ages 75 and older in 2021. At the other end of the age spectrum, 8.2% of veterans were younger than age 35. Source: 2021 American Community Survey 1-year estimates 

More on Veterans

Here’s a detailed profile of the veteran population in 2021, including:

• When veterans served.
• Demographics – age, sex, race/Hispanic or Latino origin.
• Median income.
• Educational attainment.
• Employment status.
• Poverty status.
• Disability status.

Source: 2021 American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Related News Products

Past Facts for Features

• Veterans Day 2021
• Veterans Day 2020
• Veterans Day 2019
• Veterans Day 2018

Stats for Stories

• Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance: Sept. 11, 2022
• National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day: July 27, 2022
• Memorial Day: May 30, 2022
• Armed Forces Day: May 21, 2022

Reports

• Benefits Received by Veterans and Their Survivors: 2017 (census.gov)
• The Employment, Earnings and Occupations of Post-9/11 Veterans
• Those Who Served: America’s Veterans From World War II to the War on Terror

Graphics

• Rise in Female Veterans
• Veteran Population Declines
• S. Armed Forces at Home and Abroad
• 2019 Veterans Day
• A Century of Serving
• Percentage of Veterans Among the Adult Population
• Veteran-Owned Businesses in the U.S.
• Life After the Military: Women Veterans
• Veterans Statistics by State (2015)

Statistics in Schools

• Honoring Those Who Served Warm-Up Activity 

Blogs

• Health Insurance Coverage of Veterans
• Who Are Veterans?
• Women Responsible for the Increasing Number of “Vetrepreneurs”
• Thousands of U.S. Veterans Call the Island Areas Home
• Taking a Look at Veterans Across America

Related Info

•  Census Bureau’s “Veterans” webpage
• The Disability of Veterans
• Service Over College?