Veteran Requests for Assistance Rebounds in 2022
Veterans from all eras reside in San Bernardino County, with needs ranging from aging and adult services to children’s services, and from transitional assistance to public health. Strengthening support networks for soldiers and their families may reduce the long-term individual and societal impacts of war. Financial benefits obtained for veterans result in local spending, job creation, and tax revenue. This indicator provides information about veterans in San Bernardino County, including demographic trends, economic and educational outcomes, counts of requests for assistance from County Veterans Affairs, benefits received per veteran, and information on veterans experiencing homelessness.
TREND
Similar to trends nationwide, the number of veterans living in San Bernardino County is declining. In 2022, approximately 4.2% of San Bernardino County’s population was comprised of veterans, compared to 3.9% in California.[1] Between 2022 and 2050, the veteran population in San Bernardino County is projected to decline 45.3%, from an estimated 91,652 to 50,119 veterans. This is a slower decline than statewide, which anticipates a 51.1% decline.
NUMBER OF VETERANS IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY PROJECTED TO DECLINE
Number of Veterans in San Bernardino County and California, 2022-2050
While the overall veteran population is steadily decreasing in San Bernardino County, veteran requests for assistance have fluctuated over the past 10 years. Veteran requests for assistance declined by 30.8% from 2019 to 2020 and stayed relatively flat from 2020 to 2021 (+0.6%), potentially due to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, requests rebounded by 12.8% from 2021 to 2022. Overall, requests for assistance are up 10.0% over the past 10 years. Requests for assistance include compensation for service-related injuries, pension for wartime veterans, education expenses, health care coverage, and survivor benefits.
The average new award for state and federal benefits obtained by San Bernardino County veterans service officers for veterans was $5,532 per veteran in 2020/21, which is above the statewide average of $4,910.[2]
AFTER STEADY INCREASE, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE DROPPED SHARPLY IN 2020
Requests for Assistance to the County Department of Veterans Affairs in San Bernardino County, 2013-2022
Based on data from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), in the four-year period between January 2019 and December 2022, a total of 514 veterans were provided housing by various housing agencies serving the county. In any given month over this same period, the number of homeless veterans fluctuated from a low of 69 to a high of 166, with a four-year average of 105 homeless veterans each month. The monthly count contracts and expands as homeless veterans are housed and new homeless veterans are identified. HMIS staff review data on a weekly basis to understand current veteran status.
AN AVERAGE OF 105 VETERANS ARE HOMELESS EACH MONTH
Average Monthly Number of Homeless Veterans and Cumulative Number of Veterans Housed in San Bernardino County, January 2019-December 2022
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Most veterans (54.6%) identify as White, with veterans identifying as two or more races comprising the next largest share at 15.0%.
MOST VETERANS IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY IDENTIFY AS WHITE
Distribution of Veterans by Race/Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2021
SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL
Veterans typically fare better on most economic and educational measures. In 2021, median income for San Bernardino County veterans was 53.2% higher than non-veterans and the poverty rate for veterans was 4.7 percentage points lower than non-veterans. Additionally, the unemployment rate for veterans was 2.3 percentage points lower than non-veterans. Over a quarter (26.9%) of veterans hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 23.0% of non-veterans. However, more veterans have a disability (28.5%) compared to the non-veteran population (13.4%) for the same time period.
VETERANS HAVE HIGHER MEDIAN INCOME AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Percentage of Veteran and Non-Veteran Residents with Select Characteristics in San Bernardino County, 2021
| Veterans | Non-Veterans | |
|---|---|---|
| Median Income | $49,021 | $31,996 |
| Living in Poverty | 7.4% | 12.1% |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.8% |
| High School Diploma or Higher | 94.6% | 81.3% |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 26.9% | 23.0% |
| With a Disability | 28.5% | 13.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates, 2021, Table S2101
Most San Bernardino County veterans are Gulf War vets 49.2%, followed by Vietnam era vets (33.8%). Women comprise 9.8% of the total veteran population in San Bernardino County.
NEARLY HALF OF VETERANS SERVED IN GULF WAR
Percent of Veterans by Period of Service in San Bernardino County, 2021
[1] National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, VetPop2020 County-Level Veteran Population by State, 2020 estimate; California Department of Finance, Population Estimates, Table E-2, July 2022
[2] California Association of Veterans Service Officers, 2021 Annual Report (http://www.cacvso.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Report-2021electronic.pdf)