Approximately 56.7 million people living in the United States had some kind of disability in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 18.7% of the population. “About 12.6% or 38.3 million people had a severe disability,” the bureau said in its report, “Americans with Disabilities: 2010”, which was released in July 2012. The agency’s last analysis of this group was done in 2005.
Based on age:
- 8 percent of Americans under age 15 have disabilities.
- 21 percent of people 15 and older have disabilities.
- 17 percent of people 21 to 64 have disabilities.
- 50 percent of adults 65 and older have disabilities.
Find more statistics on the Census Bureau’s webpage, Facts for Features: Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act: July 26.