By DON FENLEY

TRI-CITIES, Tenn. – The ranks of Tri-Cities veterans have thinned since the days before the pandemic. They made up almost 10% of the population in 2019. The latest count drops that share to 8.7%.

Veterans have a rapidly aging demographic. There are 2,281 fewer Korean War and World War II vets than before the pandemic. And despite the region’s first-class veterans facilities and accommodating colleges and culture, the region isn’t drawing as many after their service as it has in the past.

PERIOD OF SERVICE

According to the Census Bureau, there are a little over 36,000 veterans living in the Tri-Cities. The highest percentage of them are Vietnam-era vets. Here’s how the period of service looks for the region compared to the pre-pandemic level.

Gulf War, 2001 or later – 8,491 (23.4%) – 6,706 (17.4%)

Gulf War, 1990 – 2001 – 7,516 (20.7%) – 6,251 (16.2%)

Vietnam era – 14,836 (40.8%) – 14,732 (38.2%)

Korean War – 1,345 (3.7%) – 2,985 (7.7%)

World War II – 146 (0.4%) – 787 (2%)

AGE, GENDER, INCOME

The veterans’ community is predominately male (91.3%), and – like the overall vet population – reflects a decline in numbers. Currently, there are a little over 33,000 male vets, down from almost 35,000. There are 3,164 female vets, down from the pre-pandemic count of 3,896.

Although there are fewer female vets, they have a higher individual economic footprint than their counterparts. The median income for female vets is $43,493 compared to $23,480 for civilian females. It also outranks the $36,408 median income for male vets. The civilian male income is $32,766.

The local veterans’ population also had a higher share of members (92.5%) with incomes at or above the poverty level compared to the non-veteran portion of the population (84.4%).

And, as expected, veterans tend to make up a larger portion of the region’s elders.

Here’s how the percentage of veterans in their population group compares to the civilian population. The percentage of veterans is the first listing.

18-34 – 6.4% – 26.5%

35-54 – 30.3% – 30.9%

55-64 – 18.1% – 18.4%

65-74 – 15.7% – 14.3%

75 and over – 24.2% – 9.9%.

EDUCATION

Among their population group, veterans have a slightly higher education level than the non-veteran population. The veterans’ population group share is the first listing, followed by the non-veteran population

Less than high school graduate – 6.9% – 11.9%

High school graduate – 33.9% – 34.1%

Some college or associate degree – 32.9% – 29.1%

Bachelor’s degree or higher – 26.3% – 24.9%

Data source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 2021 Tri-Cities Consolidated Area.

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Categories: DEMOGRAPHICS