Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Note: Periods of service are not mutually exclusive, so values may add up to more than 100%; Excludes veterans who served in other time periods not listed; Chart: Axios Visuals
America’s veteran population is getting younger, and those returning to civilian life face a much different social transition than past generations did.
Why it matters: Concerns over veterans’ well-being get a spotlight with the approach of Veterans Day on Monday.
- Veterans are more likely to experience loneliness , substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population, making them a significantly higher risk for suicide .
The big picture: There were around 15.8 million living veterans nationwide in 2023, per U.S. Census data, about 6% of the adult population.
- Around 93,000 veterans live in the Columbus metro area, or 5.6% of the local population.
By the numbers: Fewer veterans are joining social organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars , whose membership skews toward seniors.