Veteran Population
This indicator reports the percentage of the population age 18 and older that served (even for a short time), but is not currently serving, on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard, or that served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II.
Source
Source Description
The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities with reliable and timely social, economic, housing, and demographic data every year. The ACS has an annual sample size of about 3.5 million addresses, with survey information collected nearly every day of the year. Data are pooled across a calendar year to produce estimates for that year. As a result, ACS estimates reflect data that have been collected over a period of time rather than for a single point in time as in the decennial census, which is conducted every 10 years and provides population counts as of April 1. The Census Bureau combines 5 consecutive years of ACS data to produce estimates for geographic areas with fewer than 65,000 residents. These 5-year estimates represent data collected over a period of 60 months. Because the ACS is based on a sample, rather than all housing units and people, ACS estimates have a degree of uncertainty associated with them, called sampling error. In general, the larger the sample, the smaller the level of sampling error. Data users should be careful in drawing conclusions about small differences between two ACS estimates because they may not be statistically different.
For more information about this source, including data collection methodology and definitions, refer to the American Community Survey data user’s website.
Methodology
Counts for population subgroups and total area population data are acquired from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Data represent estimates for the 5-year period 2019-2023. Mapped data are displayed using 2023 census tract boundaries. Veteran status is classified in the ACS according to yes/no responses to questions 27 and 28. ACS data define civilian veteran as a person 18 years old and over who served (even for a short time), but is not now serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, or who served as a Merchant Marine seaman during World War II. Individuals who served in the National Guard or Reserves but were not ever called or ordered to active duty are not considered veterans in the ACS. Indicator statistics are measured as a percentage of the population aged 18 years and older using the following formula:
For more information on the data reported in the American Community Survey, please see the complete American Community Survey 2023 Subject Definitions.
Data Breakouts Available
- Veteran Population by Age Group, Percent
- Veteran Population by Age Group, Total
- Veteran Population by Gender
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