Veterans Day 2024: November 11
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 made possible by the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.
Veteran Population
Did You Know?
15.8 million
The number of military veterans in the United States in 2023, representing 6.1% of the total civilian population age 18 and over.
1.7 million
The number of female veterans in the United States in 2023, representing 10.9% of the total veteran population.
0.6%
The share of veterans in 2023 who served during World War II. Additionally, 3.5% of veterans served during the Korean War; 33.0% during the Vietnam War; 24.8% during the Persian Gulf War; and 28.0% during the Post-9/11 period (September 2001 to present).
8.6%
The percentage of veterans in 2023 who were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Additionally, 72.2% of veterans were White alone (not Hispanic or Latino); 12.6% Black or African American alone; 2.0% Asian American alone; 0.8% American Indian or Alaska Native alone; 0.2% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander alone; and 2.8% Some Other Race alone. The percentages include only those who reported a single race.
27.9%
The share of veterans 75 and older in 2023. At the other end of the age spectrum, 8.3% of veterans were younger than age 35.
Source:
More on Veterans
This detailed profile of the U.S. veteran population in 2023 includes data for:
- Period of service.
- Demographics (age, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino origin).
- Median income.
- Educational attainment
- Employment status.
- Poverty status.
- Disability status.
Source:
Related News Products
Past Facts for Features
Stats for Stories
- Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance: Sept. 11, 2024
- National Vietnam War Veterans Day: March 29, 2024
- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 7, 2023
- Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day: September 24, 2023
- National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day: July 27, 2023
- Memorial Day: May 29, 2023
- Armed Forces Day: May 20, 2023
Reports
- Aging Veterans: America's Veterans in Later Life
- 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: June 2, 2020
- Veteran Population Declines: June 2, 2020
- U.S. Armed Forces at Home and Abroad: May 13, 2020
- A Century of Serving: May 28, 2019
- Our Nation's Veterans: November 11, 2015
- Veterans Statistics: Veterans Day 2015
Statistics in Schools
Blogs
Related Info
Observances in our Facts for Features series:
- National Black History Month (February)
- Women's History Month (March)
- Irish-American Heritage Month (March)
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
- The Fourth of July
- Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act (July 26)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15)
- Halloween (Oct. 31)
- National Native American Heritage Month (November)
- Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
- Holiday Season (November — December)
Editor’s note: These data come from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. We generally release Facts for Features about two months before observances to accommodate magazine production timelines. For more information, contact the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office at (301)763-3030 or <pio@census.gov>.
Profile America's Facts for Features provides statistics related to observances and holidays not covered by Stats for Stories. For observances not listed above, visit our Stats for Stories webpage.
Stats for Stories provides links to timely story ideas highlighting newsworthy Census Bureau statistics that relate to current events, observances, holidays and anniversaries. The story ideas are intended to assist the media in story mining and producing content for their audiences. Dates with presidential proclamations are marked with (P).