New Study Finds Twice as Many Transgender Adults as Previously Reported

UCLA’s Williams Institute Releases Latest Report

There are 1.4 million adults who publicly identify as transgender living in the United States, a new study by The Williams Institute finds. That figure is double previous estimates, which had placed the adult transgender population at 700,000.

The Williams Institute, a think tank that is part of the UCLA School of Law, is considered the nation’s foremost expert on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.

“How Many Adults Identify as Transgender in the United States” finds 0.6% of the adult population in the U.S. publicly identifies as transgender, with those 18-24 “more likely than older age groups to identify as transgender.”

As a percent of the population, Washington, D.C. ranks first, with 2.77% of the adult population publicly identifying as transgender. Hawaii is next, at 0.78%, followed by California (0.76%) and New Mexico (0.75%).

It should be noted that for many reasons, including the amount of data available, The Williams Institute calls these figures their “current best estimate.” 

It’s likely safe to assume as transgender people receive more rights and protections and support, the number of people who publicly identify as transgender will increase.

 

Image by torbakhopper via Flickr and a CC license

Hat tip: Dominic Holden/Buzzfeed