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Elder Law Prof Blog
Katherine C. Pearson, Editor, and a Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network on LexBlog.com

Veterans Day is Nov. 11–here is some info about our nation’s veterans population

By Elder Law Prof Blog

Veterans Day 2009: Nov. 11

VeteransDay originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the firstanniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holidaybeginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those whoserved in all American wars. The day honors living military veteranswith parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takesplace at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery inVirginia.

23.2 million
The number of military veterans in the United States in 2008. Source: Table 508, Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

Female Veterans

1.8 million
The number of female veterans in 2008.Source: Table 508, Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

Race and Hispanic Origin

2.3 million
The number of blackveterans in 2008. Additionally, 1.1 million veterans were Hispanic;276,000 were Asian; 160,000 were American Indian or Alaska Native;27,000 were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and 18.3 millionwere non-Hispanic white. (The numbers for blacks, Asians, AmericanIndians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Other PacificIslanders, and non-Hispanic whites cover only those reporting a singlerace.) Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

When They Served

9.2 million
The number of veterans 65 and older in 2008. At the other end of the age spectrum, 1.9 million were younger than 35.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, unpublished data

7.8 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans in 2008. Thirty-three percent of allliving veterans served during this time (1964-1975). In addition, 5.2million served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2,1990, to present); 2.6 million in World War II (1941-1945); 2.8 millionin the Korean War (1950-1953); and 6 million in peacetime. Source: U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs, unpublished data

50,000
Number of living veterans in 2008 who served during the Vietnam Era and both Gulf War eras.

Other living veterans in 2008 who served during three wars:

  • 92,000 served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam Era.

Living veterans in 2008 who served during two wars:

  • 740,000 served during both Gulf War eras.
  • 245,000 served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam Era.
  • 182,000 served during both World War II and the Korean War.

Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

Where They Live

5
Number of states with 1 million or more veterans in 2008. These states were California (2.1 million), Florida (1.7 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1 million) and Pennsylvania (1 million). Source: Table 508, Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

Education

26%
Percent of veterans 25 and older with at least a bachelor’s degree in 2008.Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

91%
Percent of veterans 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher in 2008. Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

Income

$36,779
Annual median income of veterans, in 2008 inflation-adjusted dollars. Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

On the Job

10.4 million
Number of veterans 18 to 64 in the labor force in 2008. Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

Disabilities

5.5 million
Number of veterans with any type of disability in 2008. Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

Service-Connected Disability Ratings

3.4 million
Number of veterans with a service-connected disability rating. Of this number, 588,000 have a rating of 70 percent or higher.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=>

Voting

15.8 million
Number of veterans whovoted in the 2008 presidential election. Seventy-one percent ofveterans cast a ballot, compared with 63 percent of nonveterans.Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2008
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html>

Business Owners

14.5%
Percentage of owners of firms responding to the 2002 Survey of BusinessOwners who were veterans. Veteran business owners comprised anestimated 3 million of the 20.5 million owners represented by surveyrespondents.
Source: Characteristics of Veteran-Owned Businesses: 2002
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/010337.html>

68%
Percentage of veteran owners of respondent firms who were 55 and older.This compares with31 percent of all owners of respondent firms. Similarly, in 2002, 55percent of veteran-owned respondent firms with employees reported thattheir businesses were originally established, purchased or acquiredbefore 1990, compared with 36 percent of all employer respondent firms.
Source: Characteristics Veteran-Owned Businesses: 2002 and Characteristics of Veteran Business Owners: 2002
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/010337.html>

7%
Percentage of veteranbusiness owners of respondent firms who were disabled as the result ofinjury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Source: Characteristics of Veteran-Owned Businesses: 2002 and Characteristics of Veteran Business Owners: 2002
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/010337.html>

Benefits

2.9 million
Number of veterans who received compensation for service-connecteddisabilities as of 2008. Their compensation totaled $36.2 billion.
Source: Tables 511 and 512, Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

$84.4 billion
Total amount of federal government spending for veterans benefitsprograms in fiscal year 2008. Of this total, $40.2 billion went tocompensation and pensions, $37.9 billion for medical programs and theremainder to other programs, such as vocational rehabilitation andeducation.
Source: Table 511, Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>