Jun 01, 2020

As the LGBTQ+ population moves to become more accepted in the United States, many are wondering just how many people are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender? Simply put, 4.5% of Americans identify as LGBT. However, this percentage can be continued to be broken down based on how these LGBT individuals identify in specific, as well as based on location, age, race, gender, and more. 

Before exploring these LGBT statistics, it is important to understand how we will define ‘gay’ in this article. Often times, the word ‘gay’ is used as an umbrella term to cover every individual identifying as LGBTQ+. In this case, however, we will use it to explicitly define male homosexuality, as this will eliminate confusion when designating gay population vs. LGBT population.

LGBT Statistics (Top Picks)

  • 1.7% of individuals in the US identify as being either gay or lesbian
  • 1.8% of individuals in the US identify as being bisexual
  • An estimated 19 million Americans (8.2% of US population) have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior
  • An estimated 25.6 million Americans (11% of US population) have acknowledged same-sex attraction. 
  • 63% of Americans reported that homosexuality should be accepted by society. This was a 123% increase from the same report in 2006.
  • 4.5% of adult Americans (about 11 million people) identified as LGBT. In 2012, 3.5% of adult Americans (about 8.3 Million people) identified as LGBT.
  • 5.1% of women identify as LGBT. Only 3.9% of men identify as LGBT. 
  • 0.6% of adults (1.3 million people) in the United States identify as transgender.
  • 0.7% of adults ages 18-24 identify as transgender. 
  • 9.6% of youth ages 18-24 identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
  • 12% of Millennials identify as transgender or gender nonconforming
  • 0.6% of adults age 25 to 64 identify as transgender. 
  • 0.5% of adults age 65 or older identify as transgender.
  • 58% of LGBT individuals are white, 21% are Latino(a), 12% are black, 5% are more than one race, 2% are Asian, 1% are American Indian, and 1% are pacific islander.
  • 42% of LGBT individuals are male, and 58% are female.

Article Contents

Due to the lack of LGBTQ+ specific research, it has always been difficult to estimate the size of the LGBT population. Oftentimes, the reports that do attempt to determine these statistics are inaccurate or outdated.

That is why we decided to dedicate our team to research and compile a list of statistics that are both recent and from reputed sources. In doing so, we created a list of everything you need to know about the LGBTQ+ population.

Gay Population Percentage in the US
What percentage of people are gay or lesbian?

Based on LGBT specific population research in America, it is estimated that the percentage of gay and lesbian people in the US is 1.7%. However, this only includes those individuals that specifically identify themselves as gay or lesbian. 

Key Statistics: 

  • 1.7% of individuals in the US identify as being either gay or lesbian
  • An estimated 19 million Americans (8.2% of US population) have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior
  • An estimated 25.6 million Americans (11% of US population) have acknowledged same-sex attraction. 
  • 63% of Americans reported that homosexuality should be accepted by society. This was a 123% increase from the same report in 2006.

Results from similar research show that 8.2% of the US population (19 million Americans) has engaged in same-sex sexual behavior, and 11% of the US population (25.6 million Americans) has acknowledged same-sex attraction. If you are wondering what percent of men or women are gay in specific, this data is a bit harder to find, and the results are scattered. 

Though the identified gay and lesbian population makes up less than 2% of the population, 63% of Americans have reported that homosexuality should be accepted by society. What is especially interesting about this statistic is that it is a 123% increase from the same research ten years prior. This statistic illustrates the rise in acceptance of the LGBT community as a whole. 

Sources: 

LGBTQ+ Population Percentage
What percentage of the population is LGBTQ?

The LGBT population in the US as a whole makes up 4.5% of adults or about 11 million people. This is a significant rise from the same report 5 years prior in which 3.5%, or 8.3 million people, identified as LGBT. This rise has been consistent over the years, and it can be assumed that the numbers in the near future may be at least a full percentage higher.

Key Statistics: 

  • 4.5% of adult Americans (about 11 million people) identified as LGBT
  • 5.1% of women identify as LGBT
  • 3.9% of men identify as LGBT. 
  • 1.8% of individuals in the US identify as being bisexual

When breaking down the LGBT population based on gender, there is a significant difference between the number of women who identify as LGBT vs. the number of men. 5.1% of women identify as LGBT, while only 3.9% of men identify as LGBT. These numbers can be broken down further based on whether the individual identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. As listed in the previous section, the number of people identifying as gay and lesbian is 1.7%. 1.8% of American adults identify as being bisexual. The statistics for transgender individuals can be found below (0.6%).

The LGBT population statistics also vary by location within the United States. The area with the highest concentration of LGBT individuals is Washington D.C. An estimated 9.8% of the Washington D.C. population identifies as LGBT. The area with the lowest amount of LGBT individuals is North Dakota. Only 2.7% of individuals in North Dakota identify as LGBT. 

Sources: 

Transgender Population Percentage in the US
How many transgender people are there in the US?

Of the LGBT population as a whole, we have broken down the specific percentage of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. The percentage of transgender people in the US is an estimated 0.6% of the adult population or about 1.3 million people. As with the LGBT population as a whole, this varies based on location within the United States. California has the highest percent of transgender individuals at 0.76%. Nebraska has the lowest percent of transgender individuals at 0.39%. 

Key Statistics: 

  • 0.6% of adults (1.3 million people) in the United States identified as transgender.

Sources: 

LGBTQ+ Youth Statistics
What percent of youth are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender?

With the large difference in LGBT identification among age groups, many may wonder what percent of youth are LGBT? LGBT youth statistics are difficult to measure under the age of 18, so these youth statistics are based on the ages of 18-24. 9.6% of youth ages 18-24 identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. This is more than twice the amount of the entire adult population.

Key Statistics: 

  • 9.6% of youth ages 18-24 identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
  • 0.7% of adults between the ages of 18 and 24 identify as transgender. 
  • 12% of Millennials (individuals age 18-34) identify as transgender or gender nonconforming
  • Millennials are most likely to be Allies (63%)

When it comes to identifying as transgender, there is also a noticeable increase in identification. 0.7% of adults between the ages of 18 and 24 identify as transgender. This is over a 16% increase in identification when compared to the entire adult population. 

When it comes to generations, Millennials (individuals age 18-34) have a large amount of LGBT identification. 12% of Millenials identify as either transgender or nonconforming. In addition, this generation is overall very supportive of the LGBT population as a whole, with over 63% of Millennials identifying as allies to the community.  

Sources: 

LGBTQ+ Population Demographics in the US
What percentage of Americans are gay by age, race, and gender?

LGBT statistics vary based on population demographics, including age, race, and gender. As discussed in the previous section, the population of youth has an increased LGBT identification. In fact, 20% of the LGBT community as a whole is between the ages of 18 and 34. This is especially high compared to 35-51-year-olds, which comprises 12% of the LGBT population. As the age increases, this gap widens, with only 7% of the LGBT population being 52-71 and 5% of the LGBT population being 72+. 

When it comes to race, the majority of LGBT individuals are white. 58% of LGBT individuals are white, 21% are Latino(a), 12% are black, 5% are more than one race, 2% are Asian, 1% are American Indian, and 1% are pacific islander. This makes sense, as the majority of individuals in the United States are white. However, whites are somewhat less likely (3.6%) than blacks (4.6%), Hispanics (5.4%), and Asians (4.9%) to say they are LGBT.

In terms of gender, the majority of gender-specific individuals who identify as LGBT are female at 58%. Women are also more likely to identify as LGBT among the population as 5.1% of women as a whole identify as LGBT, as opposed to 3.9% of men. 

Key Statistics: 

  • 20% of LGBT between 18-34 (2017)
  • 12% of lgbt between 35-51 (2017)
  • 7% of lgbt between 52-71 (2017)
  • 5% of lgbt 72+ (2017)
  • 58% of LGBT individuals are white, 21% are latino(a), 12% are black, 5% are more than one race, 2% are asian, 1% are american indian, and 1% are pacific islander.
  • 3.6% of whites identify as LGBT
  • 4.6% of blacks identify as LGBT
  • 5.4% of Hispanics identify as LGBT
  • 4.9% of Asians identify as LGBT
  • 42% of LGBT individuals are male, and 58% are female.
  • 5.1% of women identify as LGBT. Only 3.9% of men identify as LGBT. 

Sources: 

Conclusion

Though the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender populations have previously not been researched, this community is a sizable amount of the population, with 4.5% of Americans identifying as LGBT. This article has attempted to gather trusted research of this population and analyze the demographics, breaking down this community based on age, race, gender, and location. 

Our favorite statistic is that a reported 63% of Americans believe that homosexuality should be accepted. As an LGBT company, we are especially excited to learn that the majority of Americans are LGBTQ+ Allies. This is an encouraging message that supports our vision of a world where the global LGBT community can travel freely without prejudice, hate, or discrimination.

Sources: 

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