LGBTQ+ adults comprise 12% of US population, analysis shows

An analysis of US Census Bureau data by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation indicates that approximately 12% of adults in the United States identify as LGBTQ+. Based on more than 2.4 million responses from the Household Pulse Survey collected between 2021 and 2024, the findings suggest there are roughly 26.5 million LGBTQ+ adults in the country.

The data challenges geographic stereotypes, showing that LGBTQ+ adults comprise more than 10% of the population in 40 states. This includes several conservative-leaning states such as Texas, Georgia, and Arizona.

Demographic trends show that age is a significant factor, with 53% of the identified population falling within the 18 to 34 age range. Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson noted that the community represents a significant and visible part of the nation, stating, “LGBTQ+ Americans are everywhere... We’re not a niche constituency.”