How many veterans live in Alabama? What are their characteristics?
Latest update on October 27, 2023The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey includes annual estimates of veterans. According to the Census Bureau, veterans are anyone who has previously served (regardless of the duration of service) in active duty in the armed forces. Relevant armed forces include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. People who served during World War II in the Merchant Marine are veterans, as is anyone in the National Guard or Reserves who has been on active duty. Veterans are not currently serving and are considered civilians.
Based on the data, the largest group of veterans in Alabama served in the Vietnam era.
Veteran population of Alabama
In 2022, 303,619 veterans lived in Alabama.
Veteran state of Alabama residents by race or ethnicity
Veteran state of Alabama residents by period of service
The population share of a group like veterans illustrates the prevalence of that group to others in a place. The population share of Alabama veterans has been dropping in recent years, down 3 percentage points since 2012.
Veteran share of adult civilian population in Alabama
In 2022, 7.70% of the adult civilian population in Alabama were considered veterans.
Veteran share of adult civilian population
Alabama is ranked 15th-highest among states for its share of the veteran population.
How does the veteran population of Alabama compare with its nonveteran population?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey allows for comparisons between veteran and nonveteran populations based on several measures.
Percent of veterans in Alabama who earned income below the poverty line
In 2022, 7.30% of veterans in Alabama earned income below the poverty line, compared with 15.30% of nonveterans.
Unemployment rate of veterans in Alabama
In 2022, the unemployment rate for Alabama veterans for the year was 2.90% compared with 4.50% for nonveterans.
Alabama veterans with at least a bachelor's degree (25 and older)
In 2022, 31.30% of Alabama veterans older than 25 had a bachelor's degree compared with 28.50% of the nonveteran population.
Veterans in Alabama with any disability
In 2022, 33.50% of Alabama veterans had a disability compared with 19.30% of the nonveteran population.
More on veterans and defense from USAFacts