A new report from the UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute provides the most comprehensive update to date on the number of transgender people living in the United States. Released this week, the report estimates that 2.8 million people aged 13 and older, about 1.0% of the U.S. population, identify as transgender.
The findings offer a detailed look at how transgender identity is distributed across age groups, regions, and gender identities. According to the report, approximately 2.1 million transgender adults live in the U.S., accounting for 0.8% of the adult population. An additional 724,000 youth ages 13 to 17, or 3.3% of that age group, identify as transgender.
“This data helps us better understand the size and diversity of the transgender population,” said lead author Jody L. Herman, Senior Scholar of Public Policy at the Williams Institute. “It is crucial for policymakers, service providers, and advocates to have accurate information in order to ensure that transgender people are recognized and supported.”
The report also examined gender identity among transgender adults, finding that 34.2% identify as trans men, 33.1% as nonbinary, and 32.7% as trans women. This near-equal distribution highlights the diversity of identities within the community.
Age trends reveal a sharp generational shift. Younger adults are significantly more likely to identify as transgender than older groups. 2.72% of people aged 18 to 24 identify as trans, compared to 0.42% of those aged 35 to 64, and just 0.26% among those 65 and older. Researchers suggest these numbers reflect increased social acceptance, visibility, and resources for younger people coming of age today.
Geographically, the report shows relatively consistent estimates across regions. Between 0.7% and 0.9% of adults in every major U.S. region identify as transgender, while youth percentages remain higher everywhere, ranging from 3.2% to 3.4%. Hawaii stands out slightly, with 3.6% of youth identifying as transgender.
The Williams Institute emphasized that accurate population data is essential, particularly at a time when transgender rights are under heightened scrutiny in the United States. Ongoing political debates and legislative efforts have often targeted access to healthcare, school facilities, and public recognition for transgender individuals.
“Having reliable estimates means we can better understand where transgender people live and what kinds of support systems they may need,” the report notes. “It also underscores the importance of ensuring that data collection on gender identity continues at the federal and state levels.”
Advocates warn that efforts to remove gender identity questions from government surveys threaten the ability to track these populations accurately. Without such data, policymakers and service providers could struggle to design inclusive policies and programs.
The Williams Institute has published estimates of the U.S. transgender population since 2011 and is considered the leading authority on this data. The current update uses a combination of national surveys and statistical modeling to generate its findings.
As lawmakers and courts continue to debate transgender rights, the report provides a reminder that millions of people across the country identify as transgender and that visibility, data, and recognition remain central to ensuring their rights are respected.
