Veterans Over 50: A Closer Look
Using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, AARP estimates that, of our 16 million veterans, 72% are 50-plus—and among them, 91% are male veterans and 9% are female veterans. Using the same data source, AARP estimates that nearly one half (46%) of veterans in the United States are 65-plus.
Regarding racial and ethnic composition, approximately 76% of 50-plus veterans are white, 12% are Black, less than 2% are Asian/Asian American, and a little over 7% are Hispanic/Latino. These estimates are calculated by AARP using the 2023 ACS PUMS data set.
Racial/ethnic distribution of veterans ages 50+, 2023
| Race/ethnicity | Percent |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic | 0% |
| Asian or Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic | 2% |
| Black, non-Hispanic | 12% |
| Hispanic | 7% |
| White, non-Hispanic | 76% |
| Two or more races or other, non-Hispanic | 3% |
In the following sections, we’ll specifically focus on the experiences of veterans age 50-plus exploring the concerns and challenges of veterans in that age demographic.
Where older veterans live
A veteran’s location matters in part because it impacts the supports, resources and health care services available to them. Older veterans live in every state, of course, but tend to be more heavily concentrated in the Southeast and Midwestern parts of the country. Within those regions, according to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), roughly 4.7 million older veterans live in rural communities.
Rurality shapes veterans’ experiences and access to services. Of the 4.7 million veterans who live in rural areas, 2.7 million rural and highly rural veterans are enrolled in the VA health care system reflecting a significant need for support services in those areas. According to many rural veterans and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), this need is not adequately being met. Rural veterans may face critical challenges accessing services for a variety of reasons, including shortages of providers, geographic barriers, and rural hospital closures.
Estimated total number of veterans and selected demographic characteristics, 2025
By state, numbers rounded to the nearest 1,000
| State | Value |
|---|---|
| AL | 336,000 |
| AK | 69,000 |
| AZ | 467,000 |
| AR | 197,000 |
| CA | 1,381,000 |
| CO | 358,000 |
| CT | 141,000 |
| DE | 62,000 |
| DC | 27,000 |
| FL | 1,379,000 |
| GA | 651,000 |
| HI | 106,000 |
| ID | 121,000 |
| IL | 588,000 |
| IN | 357,000 |
| IA | 173,000 |
| KS | 174,000 |
| KY | 254,000 |
| LA | 247,000 |
| ME | 102,000 |
| MD | 344,000 |
| MA | 255,000 |
| MI | 473,000 |
| MN | 278,000 |
| MS | 178,000 |
| MO | 378,000 |
| MT | 86,000 |
| NE | 115,000 |
| NV | 207,000 |
| NH | 89,000 |
| NJ | 285,000 |
| NM | 148,000 |
| NY | 614,000 |
| NC | 675,000 |
| ND | 46,000 |
| OH | 640,000 |
| OK | 275,000 |
| OR | 254,000 |
| PA | 647,000 |
| PR | 73,000 |
| RI | 52,000 |
| SC | 385,000 |
| SD | 63,000 |
| TN | 426,000 |
| TX | 1,519,000 |
| UT | 126,000 |
| VT | 36,000 |
| VA | 671,000 |
| WA | 494,000 |
| WV | 118,000 |
| WI | 311,000 |
| WY | 44,000 |
Homelessness among veterans
Homelessness is at least one area where we must strive to do better. We can’t ignore a troubling reality and an important part of the conversation about older veterans. The fact is, there still is an increasing number of older veterans who have no permanent residence.
Data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) indicates that homelessness among veterans aged 55 and older is rising and projected to worsen, even as overall veteran homelessness continues to decline. For example, HUD’s 2024 Point-in-Time count count recorded the lowest level of veteran homelessness since 2009—nearly 33,000 veterans on a single night, an 8% decrease from 2023. Today, veterans make up about 5% of the adult homeless population, a significant drop from previous decades.
Experiencing homelessness may compound other challenges: while veteran support services may be more plentiful in larger cities, accessing those services can be difficult for veterans who lack stable housing and other basic necessities. Ensuring there are sufficient resources to support veterans facing homelessness or housing insecurity should be an important priority not just for the Veterans Administration, but for our communities and country as a whole.
Veterans with disabilities
Nearly one-fourth of U.S. veterans 50-plus have a service-related disability. Disabilities among veterans can include physical, sensory, and mental health conditions. For example, chronic health issues such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, hearing loss, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and arthritis are common physical and sensory disabilities, often resulting from the rigors of military service and exposure to hazardous environments. Mental health conditions including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are also prevalent, particularly among those who served in combat zones.
Veterans with or without disabilities need assistance with physical or mental/emotional issues, lack of employment, and homelessness. Re-entering life as we know it, especially after having served in combat, is often extremely difficult.
– Female, age 78, widow of veteran
Veterans with service-connected disabilities might require home modifications or specialized living arrangements, which can be extremely expensive and may not be fully covered by existing benefits programs. Some older veterans are in the process of filing a disability claim or obtaining a disability rating—a primary factor used to calculate monthly disability compensation benefits and determines eligibility for other benefits—which can be an intimidating and time-consuming endeavor.
The application process [to obtain the correct disability rating] is long and complicated. I would say it is daunting, unless one applies with assistance from their town or county VA representative or DAV that works closely with VA. These folks are your advocates and will file your paperwork directly to the VA.
– Male, 80, veteran
One crucial element: obtaining the correct disability rating. The disability rating is a primary factor used to calculate monthly disability compensation benefits and determines eligibility for some other benefits. A retired VA rater noted that this is where it can be important to enlist the help of a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) who can guide veterans through the process.
Caregiving
Providing care for loved ones is an important part of the older veteran story. In a 2023 AARP study, over half (54%) of U.S. veterans 45 or older said they are either currently providing care or have provided care in the past to an adult loved one, relative or friend to help them take care of themselves. Of these, 30% said the person they were caring for was another veteran.
Often veterans must balance caregiving duties with their own needs. Many Americans — including veterans — juggle multiple roles, including being a caregiver for a spouse or other loved one. Veterans who are family caregivers often shoulder a heavy burden of medical, emotional and financial support to loved ones that goes largely unrecognized and inadequately supported, all while they must attend to their own health and social needs.
Caregivers experience higher rates of stress, depression and physical health issues compared to the general population, and when those caregivers are also veterans themselves, their challenges may be compounded, so there’s a definite need for support resources for veterans who serve as family caregivers. Veterans and their families/caregivers must navigate the complex (and often confusing) landscape of the Veterans Affairs health care system to access the resources they need.
As veterans 50-plus get older, their needs evolve. While some of the needs and concerns of older veterans mirror those of the older population in general, veterans and their families have specific experiences and challenges that are unique to those with a military background. To determine the best ways that we can support veterans, it’s important to understand their perspective and think about the issues that are most relevant to them. AARP and other organizations offer resources that may help older veterans as they are navigating some of their unique transitions.
Long-term care (LTC) preferences
If veterans were to need long-term care, 72% say they would want it to be with the support of a caregiver in their own homes. Yet financial hurdles can make aging in place for older veterans a challenge. More than a quarter of veterans reported that they would need financial assistance to make necessary modifications to be able to age in their homes.
Although their first choice is staying in their own homes, veterans appear more open than nonveterans to living in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living or group homes (20% compared to 12% of nonveterans).