Measures of Wellbeing Demonstrate Strengths of San Bernardino County’s Veteran Population
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 veterans and their families may reduce the long-term individual and societal impacts of war.[1] 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
There has been a 22% decrease in the number of veterans in San Bernardino County in the 10-year period between 2015 and 2024. In 2024, the greatest share of San Bernardino County veterans were Gulf War veterans (48%), followed by Vietnam era veterans (35%). The number of San Bernardino County veterans from all periods of service decreased in 2024, except veterans serving from August 2001 or later. Women comprise 9% of the total veteran population in San Bernardino County.
The decline in the number of veterans is projected to continue, mirroring nationwide trends. Between 2025 and 2050, the veteran population in San Bernardino County is projected to decline 42%, from an estimated 83,000 to 49,000 veterans. This is a slower decline than statewide, which anticipates a 47% decline over this period, but faster than nationwide, which anticipates a 34% decline.[2] In 2025, approximately 3.8% of San Bernardino County’s population was comprised of veterans, which is similar to California’s proportion (3.5%).[3]
DECREASE IN NUMBER OF VETERANS FROM ALL PERIODS OF SERVICE OVER PAST 10 YEARS EXCEPT GULF WAR VETS SERVING AFTER AUGUST 2001
Veterans by Period of Service in San Bernardino County, 2015-2024
While the overall veteran population is steadily decreasing in San Bernardino County, veteran requests for assistance have fluctuated over the past 10 years. In the most recent three years, requests for assistance have stabilized between approximately 34,000 and 35,000 annually. However, despite the stabilization in requests for assistance, the complexity of veteran disability claims continues to grow, particularly due to changes in federal law like the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act of 2022, which broadened eligibility criteria, created additional presumptive service-connected conditions, and introduced new documentation and review processes tied to toxic exposure claims. Overall, requests for assistance are 25% higher than 10 years ago. Requests for assistance include compensation for service-related injuries, pension for wartime veterans, education expenses, health care coverage, and survivor benefits.
The total value of state and federal benefits obtained by the San Bernardino County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) for veterans was $88,941,255 in 2024/25. This is the highest total among all CVSOs in the state despite San Bernardino County having only the fourth highest veteran population, and substantially higher than San Diego, the second highest CVSO, with $58,733,664 in benefits awarded.[4] To serve as many veterans as possible and to maximize earned benefits, the San Bernardino CVSO employs a phone queue that minimizes wait times for veterans, allows walk-ins so veterans do not need to make an appointment (unlike most other CVSOs in the state), and rigorously trains Veteran Service Officers so that they can maximize benefit utilization for veterans and their families.
ANNUAL NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE REMAINS STEADY OVER PAST THREE YEARS
Requests for Assistance to the County Department of Veterans Affairs in San Bernardino County, 2016-2025
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Most San Bernardino County veterans (55%) identify as White, with veterans identifying as two or more races comprising the next largest share at 15%. In terms of ethnicity, most veterans identify as not Latino or Hispanic (70%). In the accompanying charts, the racial or ethnic distribution of the underlying adult civilian population is provided for context.
VETERANS MORE LIKELY TO BE WHITE THAN THE UNDERLYING CIVILIAN POPULATION
Distribution of Veterans by Race in San Bernardino County, 2024
VETERANS LESS LIKELY TO BE LATINO THAN THE UNDERLYING CIVILIAN POPULATION
Distribution of Veterans by Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2024
SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL
Veterans typically fare better than nonveterans on most economic and educational measures. In 2024, median income for San Bernardino County veterans was 42% higher than nonveterans and the poverty rate for veterans was 3.4 percentage points lower than nonveterans. Additionally, the unemployment rate for veterans was 3.4 percentage points lower than nonveterans. Nearly all (94.1%) veterans have a high school diploma or higher, compared to 81.7% of nonveterans. Veterans also hold a higher proportion of bachelor’s degree or higher (26.0%) compared to nonveterans (23.1%). However, more veterans have a disability (32.7%) compared to the nonveteran population (14.0%).
VETERANS FAIR BETTER THAN NONVETERANS ON MOST SOCIOECONOMIC MEASURES
Percentage of Veteran and Nonveteran Residents with Select Characteristics in San Bernardino County, 2024
| Veterans | Nonveterans | |
|---|---|---|
| Median Income | $53,179 | $37,337 |
| Living in Poverty | 8.9% | 12.1% |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.1% |
| High School Diploma or Higher | 94.1% | 81.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 26.0% | 23.1% |
| With a Disability | 32.7% | 14.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates, Table S2101
Source: San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership, Continuum of Care 2026 Homeless Count & Survey Report
In 2026, the point-in-time homeless count and survey identified 187 homeless unsheltered veterans, which comprises 8% of the total unsheltered homeless population. Of the 187 unsheltered veterans, 57% were chronically homeless, which is defined as being homeless for one year or more and having a disabling condition, such as mental illness, chronic health condition, and/or physical disability. In addition to unsheltered homeless, the point-in-time count identified 26 sheltered veterans, comprising 2% of the sheltered homeless population. These counts represent a slight increase from the number of veterans counted during the 2025 point-in-time survey – 157 unsheltered and 23 sheltered – but the number counted remains below the 2024 survey counts of 221 unsheltered and 35 sheltered veterans.
[1] Weiss EL, Coll JE, Gerbauer J, Smiley K, Carillo E. (October 2010). The Military Genogram: A Solution-Focused Approach for Resiliency Building in Service Members and Their Families. The Family Journal. 18 (4): 395–406; Van Hook M. (2008). Social work practice with families : a resiliency-based approach. Chicago: Lyceum Books
[2] National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, VetPop2023 County-Level Veteran Population by State, 2023-2053 (www.va.gov/vetdata/Veteran_Population.asp)
[3] National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, VetPop2023 County-Level Veteran Population by State; California Department of Finance, Population Estimates, Table E-2, July 2025
[4] California Association of Veterans Service Officers, 2024 Annual Report (http://www.cacvso.org/)