The ACS includes a much larger sample size than the NHIS. The ACS estimates reported here pertain to a nationally representative sample of the civilian, non-institutionalized civilian population, not including U.S. Territories. Adult ACS participants are asked “Are you blind or do you have serious trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses?” The ACS provides public access to data for each survey year, as well as for 5-year spans. We provide data based on the 1-year data sets to avoid reporting year-to-year data based on overlapping samples (see detailed explanation of 1-year vs. 5-year estimates in link below).
Read more about the ACS, Definitions and Scope, and ACS 1-year vs. 5-year Estimates
Estimated Population with Vision Loss, Ages 65+1
In the table below, the numbers in parentheses represent the approximate percentage of the same age population
|
ACS Year |
Population with vision loss, ages 65+ |
|
2022 |
3.6 million (6.2%) |
|
2021 |
3.5 million (6.2%) |
|
2020* |
3.4 million (6.6%) |
|
2019 |
3.2 million (6%) |
|
2018 |
3.2 million (6.2%) |
|
2017 |
3.1 million (6.3%) |
|
2016 |
3.2 million (6.6%) |
|
2015 |
3 million (6.5%) |
|
2014 |
3 million (6.7%) |
|
2013 |
3 million (6.8%) |
|
2012 |
2.7 million (6.5%) |
|
2011 |
2.7 million (6.8%) |
|
2010 |
2.7 million (6.9%) |
Estimated Population with Vision Loss, Ages 75+1
|
ACS Year |
Population with vision loss, ages 75+ |
|
2022 |
2.1 million (8.7%) |
|
2021 |
2 million (9%) |
|
2020* |
2.1 million (9.7%) |
|
2019 |
1.9 million (8.8%) |
|
2018 |
1.9 million (9%) |
|
2017 |
1.9 million (9.3%) |
|
2016 |
1.9 million (9.7%) |
|
2015 |
1.9 million (9.7%) |
|
2014 |
1.9 million (10%) |
|
2013 |
1.9 million (10.2%) |
|
2012 |
1.8 million (9.8%) |
|
2011 |
1.8 million (10.2%) |
|
2010 |
1.8 million (10.2%) |
- Data source: Table B1310, 2010-2019 single-year data release, http://data.census.gov
- Data source*: ACS 5 year estimate for 2020 PUMS, http://data.census.gov
- Data source: ACS 1 year 2021 PUMS, http://data.census.gov
