Korean War Veterans

Seventy years ago in 1950, the United States deployed military forces in a brutal war against communist aggressors on the Korean Peninsula. Approximately 6.8 million Americans served in that era worldwide.* Sometimes referred to as the Forgotten War, the Department of Veterans Affairs will always remember, honor and support all who served.

In 2020 there were over one million living Korean War Era Veterans. They represented one of the oldest cohorts of Veterans served by VA: their median age was 88, and most of them were in the 85-89 year-old age group. This age profile is important for understanding their current and future needs.

Their numbers have diminished substantially since 2000 and are projected to fall below 150,000 by 2030.

Approximately 31,000 living American women served in the Korean War Era. They constituted 2.8% of all living Korean War Era Veterans and 1.5% of all living women Veterans.

In all states approximately 6% of Veterans served in the Korean War Era. The top five states where Korean War Era Veterans lived in 2020 were California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. Click or hover on a state to see its estimated population. Zoom out and pan to see Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.

VA encourages these and all Veterans to learn about VA programs and to apply for the benefits and services they have earned. Programs are administered through three VA administrations. Follow these links for detailed information, eligibility criteria and application instructions.

For questions, please email us at VANCVAS@va.gov

Data sources: VA Veteran Population Projection Model 2018, Census 2000 Brief: Veterans, and the 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates.