Topic: Disability in the U.S. (2024)

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A disability is any condition, physical or mental, that significantly impacts a person’s life activities. The most common types of disability affect mobility, hearing, vision, and cognition. As of 2021, around 13.5 percent of the U.S. population had some type of disability. Disability is more common among older individuals, with around 46 percent of those aged 75 years and older living with a disability.

The most common types of disabilities

The most common type of disability in the U.S. are ambulatory disabilities, which affects a person’s mobility. In 2021, an estimated 4.7 percent of those aged 21 to 64 years and 30 percent of people aged 75 years and older had such a disability. Ambulatory disabilities are most common in the states of West Virginia, Mississippi, and Kentucky. The states with the lowest rates of ambulatory disability are Utah and Colorado, with four and 4.6 percent of the population of these states with this disability, respectively. The most common type of disability among those aged 20 years and below are cognitive disabilities. Those with cognitive disabilities have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions because of a physical, mental or emotional condition.

Employment among those with disabilities

Because disabilities affect a person’s ability to perform everyday activities, they can significantly impact one’s ability to work. In 2021, the employment rate among those with a disability was 41 percent, compared to almost 77 percent for those without a disability. Those with hearing disabilities are employed at higher rates than any other disability, with almost 56 percent of this population employed, compared to 48 percent of people with a vision disability, and 34 percent of those with a cognitive disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects the rights of those suffering from a disability and makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against people with disabilities in various ways. However, a lack of understanding and negative attitudes towards such employees can still adversely affect employment opportunities for those with disabilities.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

John Elflein

Research expert covering health and health care

Published by John Elflein, Dec 18, 2023

Key insights

Percentage of those aged 5 to 15 who have a disability: 6%

Detailed statistics

Share of people with a disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age

Number of people with a disability enrolled in Medicare: 7.6m

Detailed statistics

Medicare enrollment from 1966-2023, by type of beneficiary

Number of veterans with a service-connected disability in the United States: 4.78m

Detailed statistics

U.S. veterans 2022, by disability status

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Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Health SystemHealth insurance coverage for people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2021

Further recommended statistics

Overview

Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Basic Statistic Share of people with a disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Premium Statistic Medicare enrollment from 1966-2023, by type of beneficiary
Premium Statistic Number of disabled 3-21 year olds in the U.S. 2021/22, by disability
Premium Statistic Number of disabled 3 to 21 year olds in the U.S. 1990-2022
Premium Statistic Health insurance coverage for people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans 2022, by disability status

Overview

Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Share of people in the U.S. with disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Percentage of people in the U.S. who had a disability from 2008 to 2022
Basic Statistic Share of people with a disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Share of people with a disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a disability as of 2022, by age
Premium Statistic Medicare enrollment from 1966-2023, by type of beneficiary
Medicare enrollment from 1966-2023, by type of beneficiary
Enrollment in the Medicare program from 1966 to 2023, by type of beneficiary (in millions)
Premium Statistic Number of disabled 3-21 year olds in the U.S. 2021/22, by disability
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Disability Insurance: When to Cancel, Drop, or Decrease Coverage | White Coat Investor Is disability insurance worth it?How Much Does Long-Term Disability Insurance Cost? – Policygenius 5 Best Disability Insurance Options for Physicians
Number of disabled 3-21 year olds in the U.S. 2021/22, by disability
Number of 3 to 21 year olds served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States in 2022, by disability (in 1,000s)
Premium Statistic Number of disabled 3 to 21 year olds in the U.S. 1990-2022
Number of disabled 3 to 21 year olds in the U.S. 1990-2022
Number of disabled 3 to 21 year olds served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States from 1990/91 to 2021/22 (in 1,000s)
Premium Statistic Health insurance coverage for people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2021
Health insurance coverage for people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2021
Health insurance coverage among people with and without disabilities in the U.S. from 2008 to 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. veterans 2022, by disability status
U.S. veterans 2022, by disability status
Number of veterans in the United States in 2022, by service-connected disability status

Prevalence of disabilities by age

Basic Statistic Share of people with a hearing disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Premium Statistic Share of people with a cognitive disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Basic Statistic Share of people with an ambulatory disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Basic Statistic Share of people with a self-care disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Premium Statistic Share of people with a vision disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Basic Statistic Individuals with a visual disability in the U.S. 2022, by age

Prevalence of disabilities by age

Basic Statistic Share of people with a hearing disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Share of people with a hearing disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a hearing disability as of 2022, by age
Premium Statistic Share of people with a cognitive disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Share of people with a cognitive disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a cognitive disability as of 2022, by age
Basic Statistic Share of people with an ambulatory disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Share of people with an ambulatory disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Percentage of people in the U.S. with an ambulatory disability as of 2022, by age
Basic Statistic Share of people with a self-care disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Share of people with a self-care disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a self-care disability as of 2022, by age
Premium Statistic Share of people with a vision disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Share of people with a vision disability in the U.S. as of 2022, by age
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a vision disability as of 2022, by age
Basic Statistic Individuals with a visual disability in the U.S. 2022, by age
Individuals with a visual disability in the U.S. 2022, by age
Number of people in the U.S. with a visual disability as of 2022, by age

Prevalence of disabilities by state

Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a disability as of 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a hearing disability as of 2022, by state
Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a vision disability as of 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a cognitive disability as of 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with an ambulatory disability as of 2022, by state
Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a self-care disability as of 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Share of civilian veterans with service-connected disability by U.S. state 2022

Prevalence of disabilities by state

Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a disability as of 2022, by state
Share of people in the U.S. with a disability as of 2022, by state
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a disability as of 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a hearing disability as of 2022, by state
Share of people in the U.S. with a hearing disability as of 2022, by state
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a hearing disability as of 2022, by state
Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a vision disability as of 2022, by state
Share of people in the U.S. with a vision disability as of 2022, by state
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a vision disability as of 2022, by state
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Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a cognitive disability as of 2022, by state
Share of people in the U.S. with a cognitive disability as of 2022, by state
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a cognitive disability as of 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with an ambulatory disability as of 2022, by state
Share of people in the U.S. with an ambulatory disability as of 2022, by state
Percentage of people in the U.S. with an ambulatory disability as of 2022, by state
Basic Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a self-care disability as of 2022, by state
Share of people in the U.S. with a self-care disability as of 2022, by state
Percentage of people in the U.S. with a self-care disability as of 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Share of civilian veterans with service-connected disability by U.S. state 2022
Share of civilian veterans with service-connected disability by U.S. state 2022
Percentage of U.S. civilian veterans reporting a VA service-connected disability in 2022, by state or territory

Disabilites among employed adults

Basic Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by gender
Premium Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by race
Premium Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults, 2016-2020, by household income
Premium Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by education
Basic Statistic Prevalence of any disability among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by occupation

Disabilites among employed adults

Basic Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by gender
Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by gender
Percentage of employed adults in the United States with select disabilities from 2016 to 2020, by gender
Premium Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by race
Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by race
Percentage of employed adults in the United States with a disability from 2016 to 2020, by type and race and ethnicity
Premium Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults, 2016-2020, by household income
Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults, 2016-2020, by household income
Percentage of employed adults in the United States with a disability from 2016 to 2020, by type and household income
Premium Statistic Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by education
Prevalence of disabilities among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by education
Percentage of employed adults in the United States with a disability from 2016 to 2020, by type and education level
Basic Statistic Prevalence of any disability among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by occupation
Prevalence of any disability among employed U.S. adults 2016-2020, by occupation
Percentage of employed adults in the United States with any disability from 2016 to 2020, by major occupation group

Employment among those with a disabilitiy

Basic Statistic U.S. share of employment of persons with a disability in 2023, by industry
Premium Statistic Employment rate among U.S. adults with disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Basic Statistic U.S. employment rate of men with a disability 2009-2023
Basic Statistic U.S. employment rate of women with a disability 2009-2023
Basic Statistic U.S. unemployment rate of persons with a disability 2009-2023
Premium Statistic Employment rate among U.S. adults with disabilities in 2022, by disability type
Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a visual disability who were employed 2022
Premium Statistic U.S. median earnings for people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Premium Statistic Poverty rate among people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2022

Employment among those with a disabilitiy

Basic Statistic U.S. share of employment of persons with a disability in 2023, by industry
U.S. share of employment of persons with a disability in 2023, by industry
Share of employment of persons with a disability in the United States in 2023, by industry
Premium Statistic Employment rate among U.S. adults with disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Employment rate among U.S. adults with disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Percentage of adults in the U.S. with a disability who were employed from 2008 to 2022
Basic Statistic U.S. employment rate of men with a disability 2009-2023
U.S. employment rate of men with a disability 2009-2023
Employment rate of men with a disability in the United States from 2009 to 2023
Basic Statistic U.S. employment rate of women with a disability 2009-2023
U.S. employment rate of women with a disability 2009-2023
Employment rate of women with a disability in the United States from 2009 to 2023
Basic Statistic U.S. unemployment rate of persons with a disability 2009-2023
U.S. unemployment rate of persons with a disability 2009-2023
Unemployment rate of persons with a disability in the United States from 2009 to 2023
Premium Statistic Employment rate among U.S. adults with disabilities in 2022, by disability type
Employment rate among U.S. adults with disabilities in 2022, by disability type
Percentage of adults in the U.S. with a disability who were employed in 2022, by disability type
Premium Statistic Share of people in the U.S. with a visual disability who were employed 2022
Share of people in the U.S. with a visual disability who were employed 2022
Percentage of individuals in the U.S. with a visual disability who were employed as of 2022
Premium Statistic U.S. median earnings for people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2022
U.S. median earnings for people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Annual median earnings for people with and without disabilities in the U.S. from 2008 to 2022 (in U.S. dollars)
Premium Statistic Poverty rate among people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Poverty rate among people with and without disabilities from 2008 to 2022
Poverty rate among people with and without disabilities in the U.S. from 2008 to 2022

Miscellaneous

Premium Statistic Prevalence of healthcare access barriers faced by disabled adults in the US 2020
Basic Statistic U.S. children who had lived with a mentally ill person, 2019, by disability status
Basic Statistic U.S. children who had experienced stressful events as of 2019, by disability status
Basic Statistic U.S. adults who usually receive the support they needed in 2020, by disability status
Premium Statistic Share of U.S. veterans who received therapy in the past year 2019-2020, by disability

Miscellaneous

Premium Statistic Prevalence of healthcare access barriers faced by disabled adults in the US 2020
Prevalence of healthcare access barriers faced by disabled adults in the US 2020
Share of adults with disabilities who experienced selected healthcare access barriers in the United States in 2020, by access to care barrier
Basic Statistic U.S. children who had lived with a mentally ill person, 2019, by disability status
U.S. children who had lived with a mentally ill person, 2019, by disability status
Percentage of U.S. children 5 to 17 years who had lived with anyone who was mentally ill or depressed as of 2019, by disability status
Basic Statistic U.S. children who had experienced stressful events as of 2019, by disability status
U.S. children who had experienced stressful events as of 2019, by disability status
Percentage of U.S. children 5 to 17 years who had experienced no, one, or more stressful life events as of 2019, by disability status
Basic Statistic U.S. adults who usually receive the support they needed in 2020, by disability status
U.S. adults who usually receive the support they needed in 2020, by disability status
Percentage of adults in the United States who always or usually received the social and emotional support they needed as of 2020, by disability status
Premium Statistic Share of U.S. veterans who received therapy in the past year 2019-2020, by disability
Share of U.S. veterans who received therapy in the past year 2019-2020, by disability
Percentage of adults who received physical, speech, rehabilitative, or occupational therapy in the past year in the U.S. in 2019-2020, by veteran status and disability status