On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications, and state and local government services.
This Facts for Features provides a demographic snapshot of the U.S. population with a disability and examines various services available to them. The statistics come from various Census Bureau censuses and surveys, covering different periods of time.
The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.
Did You Know?
- 40.7 million or 12.8%
Total civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability in the United States.
Source: 2016 American Community Survey - 20.1%
The percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in West Virginia in 2016 with a disability — among the highest rates in the nation. Utah, at 9.9 percent, had the lowest rate.
Source: 2016 American Community Survey - 7.5 million
Total civilian noninstitutionalized population ages 18 to 64 employed with a disability.
Source: 2016 American Community Survey - $22,047
Median earnings in the past 12 months (in 2016 inflation adjusted dollars) of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and over with earnings and a disability.
Source: 2016 American Community Survey
Learn more on the U.S. Census Bureau’s Facts for Features.