Requests for Assistance Continue to Grow, Providing Critical Compensation for Local Veterans
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 23% decrease in the number of veterans in San Bernardino County in the 10-year period between 2014 and 2023. In 2023, the greatest share of San Bernardino County veterans were Gulf War veterans (46.7%), followed by Vietnam-era veterans (35.1%). The number of San Bernardino County veterans from all periods of service decreased in 2023, except veterans from some other period than the major wars of the 20th and early 21st century. Women comprise 9.0% of the total veteran population in San Bernardino County.
The decline in the number of veterans is projected to continue, mirroring nationwide trends. Between 2023 and 2053, the veteran population in San Bernardino County is projected to decline 47%, from an estimated 88,000 to 47,000 veterans. This is a slower decline than statewide, which anticipates a 53% decline.[2] In 2023, approximately 4.0% of San Bernardino County’s population was comprised of veterans, compared to 3.8% in California.[3]
VETERANS FROM ALL PERIODS OF SERVICE DECREASED OVER PAST 10 YEARS EXCEPT GULF WAR VETS
Veterans by Period of Service in San Bernardino County, 2014-2023
While the overall veteran population is steadily decreasing in San Bernardino County, veteran requests for assistance have fluctuated over the past 10 years. After falling in 2020 and 2021, in 2024, veteran requests for assistance reached the second highest level in 10 years (35,138). Overall, requests for assistance are up 26% 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 total value of state and federal benefits obtained by the San Bernardino County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) for veterans was $74,577,126 in 2023/24. This is the highest total among all CVSOs in the state despite San Bernardino County having only the fifth highest veteran population, and more than double the amount ($36,030,103) of the second highest CVSO.[4] To serve as many veterans as possible and to maximize earned benefits, the San Bernardino CSVO 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 CVSO in the state), and rigorously trains Veteran Service Officers so that they can maximize benefit utilization for veterans and their families.
IN 2024, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE WERE SECOND HIGHEST IN 10 YEARS
Requests for Assistance to the County Department of Veterans Affairs in San Bernardino County, 2015-2024
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Most San Bernardino County veterans (60%) identify as White, with veterans identifying as two or more races comprising the next largest share at 12%. In terms of ethnicity, most veterans identify as not Latino or Hispanic (72%). In the accompanying charts, the race or ethnic distribution of the underlying adult civilian population is provided for context.
RACE/ETHNICITY DISTRIBUTION OF VETERANS GENERALLY DIFFERS FROM UNDERLYING ADULT CIVILIAN POPULATION
Distribution of Veterans by Race in San Bernardino County, 2023
Distribution of Veterans by Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2023
SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL
Veterans typically fare better on most economic and educational measures. In 2023, median income for San Bernardino County veterans was 50% higher than nonveterans and the poverty rate for veterans was 4.2 percentage points lower than nonveterans. Additionally, the unemployment rate for veterans was 3.4 percentage points lower than nonveterans. Nearly all (95.5%) of veterans have a high school diploma or higher, compared to 82.4% of nonveterans. A slightly higher rate of veterans have a bachelor’s degree or higher (23.9%) compared to nonveterans (23.6%). However, more veterans have a disability (31.8%) compared to the nonveteran population (13.7%) for the same time period.
VETERANS HAVE HIGHER MEDIAN INCOME AND LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT THAN NONVETERANS
Percentage of Veteran and Nonveteran Residents with Select Characteristics in San Bernardino County, 2023
| Veterans | Nonveterans | |
|---|---|---|
| Median Income | $54,969 | $36,586 |
| Living in Poverty | 7.7% | 11.9% |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 6.2% |
| High School Diploma or Higher | 95.5% | 82.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 23.9% | 23.6% |
| With a Disability | 31.8% | 13.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates, 2023, Table S2101
Source: San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership, 2024 Homeless County & Survey Report
Operation Green Light
On October 8, 2024, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution declaring the week leading up to Veterans Day each year (November 4-11 in 2024) “Operation Green Light for Veterans.” The resolution encourages residents to display green lights in their homes and businesses to honor the service and sacrifice of current and former members of the Armed Services. In addition, the county’s three veterans service offices and five Board of Supervisors’ offices were illuminated in green. Passage of the resolution underscores the county’s continued commitment to assisting veterans in accessing federal benefits and transitioning to civilian life.
[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, VetPop2020 County-Level Veteran Population by State, 2023-2053 (www.va.gov/vetdata/Veteran_Population.asp)
[3] 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 2023
[4] California Association of Veterans Service Officers, 2024 Annual Report (http://www.cacvso.org/)