Nov 8, 2024 - Holidays
Charted: When Des Moines veterans served
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About 31% of veterans living in Des Moines served after 9/11 in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Zoom out: Veterans who served in the last 30 years now make up the largest group of living veterans in the U.S., according to Pew Research Center.
- Fewer people have military experience since the draft ended in 1973.
- In 1980, 18% of adults had military experience, compared to 6% in 2022.
Yes, but: More diverse groups are helping fill those gaps, including women and Latino and Black adults, Pew reports.
Editor's note: This story was corrected to say about 31% (not a majority) of veterans living in Des Moines served after 9/11.