Washington, D.C. – In a striking new report, researchers estimate that approximately 2.8 million Americans aged 13 and above now identify as transgender, reflecting both a generational shift and significant growth in visibility across the United States. This updated analysis, released by the Williams Institute at UCLA, comes at a moment when issues impacting the transgender community—from policy battles to social acceptance—are at the center of national debate.
Who Are America’s Transgender Population?
The 2.8 million figure represents just over 1% of the U.S. population aged 13 and older, with a sharp increase among younger cohorts. Close to 3.3% of U.S. teens—about 724,000 individuals aged 13 to 17—now identify as transgender. Among adults, estimates put the number at around 2.1 million, accounting for 0.8% of all Americans 18 and older.
Breakdown by gender identity among transgender adults reveals relative parity: 32.7% are transgender women, 34.2% transgender men, and 33.1% identify as nonbinary. The vast majority of transgender people—about 75%—are under the age of 35, with more than half aged 18 to 34.
Behind the Numbers: Why the Surge?
Experts attribute the apparent rise to several key factors:
- Generational Change: Younger Americans are both more likely to identify as transgender and more open when responding to surveys about gender identity. Analysts suggest that increased social acceptance and visibility have reduced stigma, making it easier for teens and young adults to “come out” compared to previous generations.
- Better Data Collection: Enhanced survey methods, including the use of large federal public health surveys like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, have improved the accuracy of population estimates in recent years.
“We anticipate this trend will persist as awareness and openness continue to rise,” says Jody Herman, senior researcher at the Williams Institute.
Regional and Demographic Patterns
Transgender people live throughout the United States. The proportion of transgender individuals varies across regions—with New York reporting among the highest rates for teens—though the adult transgender rate typically ranges from 0.2% to 0.9% between states. Demographic analyses reveal that while about half of transgender Americans identify as white, Latino and other minority groups are represented at higher rates than in the general population.
Societal Climate and Policy Shifts
The increase comes amid escalating legislative and cultural battles. In 2025 alone, dozens of bills affecting transgender rights, especially those targeting youth, have been introduced in states across the country. At the same time, federal data collection on transgender Americans faces potential hurdles due to changes in administrative priorities, raising concerns about future tracking and the ability to inform policy.
Advocacy organizations stress that despite the growing numbers, transgender people still face disparities in health, employment, and safety. Studies show that transgender individuals, particularly youth, are at higher risk for discrimination and mental health challenges, underscoring the urgency of supportive public policies.
The Road Ahead
Experts predict the U.S. transgender population will continue to grow both as survey comfort increases and as social climate becomes more affirmative. “We are witnessing a generational shift, and our data show that younger Americans are leading the way in embracing and reporting diverse gender identities,” researchers conclude.
As national attention turns toward issues of identity and civil rights, the 2.8 million Americans who identify as transgender stand as a testament to America’s evolving understanding of gender and its ongoing struggle to ensure equality for all.
