Veteran Population
Veteran Population
Veteran Population
The Veteran Population Model
The Veteran Population Model (VetPop2007) is the latest official source of population information from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VetPop2007 estimates the Veteran population and its characteristics from FY2000 through FY2006, and forecasts the population for FY2007 through FY2036. It uses data from VA, Department of Defense (DoD), and U.S. Census Bureau as inputs to forecast the Veteran population through the planning horizon. VetPop2007 generates the number of Veterans by selected characteristics: at the state and/or national levels by Age, Gender, Period of Service, Race/Ethnicity, Rank (Officer/Enlisted), and Branch of Service; at the county level by Age and Gender. While the VetPop2007 model is quite complex, the number of Veterans in each year is essentially determined through the simplified equation below.
Behind the Forecasts
Once the April 1, 2000, baseline population is established from Census 2000 data, for each successive time period, we add new separations, referred to as "births," using DoD data. (Actual data are used through September 30, 2006; projected separations are used thereafter.) At the same time, existing Veterans (separated in a prior year) are "aged" one year, and deceased Veterans ("deaths") are taken out. At the state level, annual migration is taken into account. County estimates are allocated from state estimates.
Related Documents
For detailed information on the VetPop2007 model, or to review any methodology changes from VetPop2004, please review the detailed VetPop2007 data document posted here.
| Executive Summary (.pdf) | Introduction and history of the VetPop2007 model, links to final result tables, and processing and data quality notes. |
| Overview (.pdf) | Detailed description of the VetPop 2007 model, input data, parameter files, processing, and output files. |
| Data Sources (.pdf) | Description of input data used in determining the number and characteristics of Veterans. |
| County Technical Notes (.doc) | Description of how the Office of Actuary (OACT) calculates estimates (current and past) and projections (future) of the number of living Veterans and Veteran deaths by county and Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) from 2000 to 2030. |
| Tutorial (.doc) | Instructions on accessing VetPop2007 tables in Excel, state and national data tables, county data tables, and tips for modifying pivot tables in Excel. |
| VA Needs Assessment Workshop (.pdf) | A presentation regarding the impact of changes in the Veteran population on need for, access to, and utilization of services; the transition to the Community and to VA services and benefits; and the outreach to Veterans, service members and their families about the availability of services and how to access them. |
Please e-mail all questions regarding VetPop to VetPop@va.gov. You can request CDs via e-mail at VETPOP@VA.GOV. OACT can also provide SAS and Access files to appropriate researchers.
What's New
On May 22, 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released the Geographic Distribution of VA Expenditures (GDX) Report. This report details VA expenditures at the state, county, and Congressional District level. It includes categories for Compensation and Pension, Construction, Insurance, and Medical Care. Veteran population estimates and the number of unique patients who used VA health care services are also available.
Contact NCVAS
For more information on reports, surveys, or statistics regarding the Veteran population, or for general inquiries, please e-mail us at VANCVAS@va.gov
Population Tables
The Nation
- Race/Ethnicity
- Service Branch
- Officer/Enlisted
- Gulf War
The States
Counties
Congressional Districts
- 110th Congress
Veterans Integrated Service Network
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Build Date: January 12, 2010
