Record 12% of US Adult Population Identify as LGBTQ+

According to new estimates from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), a record 12% of the adult population in the United States — approximately 25.6 million people — identify as LGBTQ+. The analysis is based on more than 2.4 million responses to the US Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey collected between 2021 and 2024.

According to the study , the LGBTQ+ share exceeds 10% in 40 of the 50 states, as well as in the District of Columbia. More than half (53.8%) of the community are people aged 18 to 34. The largest group is bisexual people, accounting for more than 7% of all US adults. Demographically, Hispanic citizens make up 18% of the LGBTQ+ population, while Black citizens account for about 9%.

The new 12% estimate is higher than previous Gallup data, which found that 9% of US adults are LGBTQ+. Researchers attribute this difference to methodology: the Household Pulse Survey is conducted online and self-administered, whereas Gallup uses telephone interviews, which may affect respondents’ willingness to disclose personal information. The HRCF also noted the importance of this data given that the administration of US President Donald Trump previously removed sexual orientation and gender identity questions from approximately 360 federal data collections.