How many veterans live in California? 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 California served in the Vietnam era.
Veteran population of California
In 2022, 1,292,737.0 veterans lived in California.
Veteran state of California residents by race or ethnicity
Veteran state of California 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 California veterans has been dropping in recent years, down 3 percentage points since 2012.
Veteran share of adult civilian population in California
In 2022, 4.30% of the adult civilian population in California were considered veterans.
Veteran share of adult civilian population
California is ranked 47th-highest among states for its share of the veteran population.
How do the veteran and nonveteran populations in California compare?”
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey allows for comparisons between veteran and nonveteran populations based on several measures.
Percent of veterans in California who earned income below the poverty line
In 2022, 8.50% of veterans in California earned income below the poverty line, compared with 11.50% of nonveterans.
Unemployment rate of veterans in California
In 2022, the unemployment rate for California veterans for the year was 4.80% compared with 5.30% for nonveterans.
California veterans with at least a bachelor's degree
In 2022, 34.60% of California veterans older than 25 had a bachelor's degree compared with 37.10% of the nonveteran population.
Veterans in California with any disability
In 2022, 29.90% of California veterans had a disability compared with 13.30% of the nonveteran population.
More on veterans and defense from USAFacts