Nearly one in three adults under 25 now identify as LGBTQ+, new HRC analysis finds

The share of American adults who identify as LGBTQ+ has reached its highest recorded level, according to a new analysis from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Based on 2.45 million responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, collected between July 2021 and September 2024, HRC concludes that 12% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+.

This figure exceeds Gallup’s most recent estimate of 9% and represents the most expansive population-based snapshot of LGBTQ+ identity produced to date by a major survey source.

A Growing LGBTQ+ Population, Especially Among Young Adults

The HRC Foundation’s analysis highlights a rapidly changing demographic landscape:

• Overall LGBTQ+ adults: 12% of the U.S. adult population
• Adults under 25: Nearly 1 in 3 now identify as LGBTQ+
• Transgender and gender‑expansive adults: 2.34% of U.S. adults, or about 1 in 43

The transgender and gender‑expansive figure is especially significant. Previous national estimates typically ranged from 0.5% to 1% of adults. The new 2.34% estimate indicates that transgender and gender‑expansive people are a far more visible part of U.S. society than earlier surveys suggested.

Although HRC’s analysis does not provide age-specific trans data, Gallup’s 2022 polling found:

• Around 0.2%–0.3% of older generations identified as transgender
• 1.9% of Gen Z adults identified as transgender

Younger generations are increasingly open about their gender identities and sexual orientations. With roughly one in 43 U.S. adults now identifying as transgender or gender‑expansive, everyday life in the United States routinely involves interaction with trans people in workplaces, schools, healthcare settings, and communities nationwide. Advocates see this as a powerful driver of understanding and inclusion.

How the HRC Numbers Compare to Gallup

For the past decade, Gallup polling has been a key reference for tracking LGBTQ+ identification. Its data show a steady rise in adults who openly identify as LGBTQ+:

• 2012: 3.5% of adults
• 2024: 9.3% of adults, the highest Gallup has recorded
• 2025: 9%, holding at a near‑record level

Gallup’s estimates are based on roughly 10,000 live telephone interviews each year. HRC’s new analysis draws from a much larger sample using the Census Bureau’s online, self-administered Household Pulse Survey, conducted during the period when it included questions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Because respondents had to feel safe disclosing this information in a federal survey, HRC’s researchers suggest that even these high figures may be conservative. People who are questioning, closeted, or uncomfortable disclosing their identity to a government survey are less likely to be counted, which means the true share of LGBTQ+ adults could be higher.

The States With the Highest LGBTQ+ Populations

The HRC analysis also examined where LGBTQ+ adults are most concentrated across the United States. In 40 states and the District of Columbia, LGBTQ+ people account for more than 10% of the adult population.

The five states with the highest percentages are:

1. Oregon – 17% of adults identify as LGBTQ+
2. Washington – 16%
3. Colorado – 14%
4. Alaska – 14%
5. California – 14%

Oregon and Washington have long reputations as LGBTQ+-inclusive states, with robust civil rights protections. Colorado, ranked third, has become a destination for many transgender people and other LGBTQ+ residents leaving neighboring states with more hostile policy environments.

Alaska’s fourth-place ranking stands out. Although it is typically viewed as politically conservative and has fewer formal protections than many blue states, HRC’s data show a substantial LGBTQ+ presence. California, with its large and diverse population, completes the top five.

Across 40 states and Washington, D.C., LGBTQ+ adults now represent more than one in ten residents, solidifying their status as a core part of the social and economic fabric of the country.

Policy Backdrop and Risks to Future Data

The timing of this analysis is especially important because of parallel developments in federal data policy. Since taking office, the Trump administration has removed sexual orientation and gender identity questions from hundreds of federal data collection instruments.

Those changes create broad gaps in national statistics that are crucial for policymaking, resource allocation, and civil rights enforcement. Without robust federal data, it becomes harder to track outcomes for LGBTQ+ communities in healthcare, employment, housing, and education, and more difficult to design evidence-based interventions in response.

Tari Hanneman, the HRC Foundation’s senior director of research and education, emphasized the importance of continuing to count LGBTQ+ people in federal surveys. Reliable data, Hanneman noted, are essential for understanding who lives in the United States and what communities require to thrive. The new analysis shows that LGBTQ+ adults are a substantial and growing part of the population, and that visibility strengthens the case for their full inclusion in public data collection.

Recent Gallup polling also suggests shifting dynamics ahead. After more than a decade of continuous increases, Gallup’s 2025 estimate held steady at 9%, amid an intense policy climate and a steep rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation. Researchers and advocates will be watching closely to see whether rates of self-identification continue to grow, stabilize, or temporarily stall in response to these pressures.

Why This Matters for the Workplace

For employers, these findings are not abstract statistics; they describe the present and future workforce. When nearly one in three adults under 25 identifies as LGBTQ+, inclusive policies are no longer a “nice to have” initiative. They are central to talent strategy and risk management.

Key implications for organisations:

• Workforce composition: A significant share of current and incoming employees will expect inclusive benefits, protections, and culture. This covers health benefits that equitably support LGBTQ+ and especially trans and gender‑expansive staff, inclusive family and leave policies, and unbiased recruitment and promotion practices.
• Legal and reputational exposure: Companies that ignore LGBTQ+ inclusion face heightened risks around discrimination claims, employee turnover, and reputational damage with customers, investors, and prospective hires, particularly among younger demographics.
• Productivity and engagement: Employees who can be open and respected at work are more engaged, more innovative, and more likely to stay. For many businesses, LGBTQ+ inclusion is directly linked to performance, retention, and employer brand strength.
• Global competitiveness: Multinational employers operate in markets where LGBTQ+ inclusion is increasingly specified in ESG frameworks, investor expectations, and major client procurement criteria. Demonstrable progress on LGBTQ+ equality can be a differentiator in bids and partnerships.

In this environment, organisations that want to attract, retain, and support LGBTQ+ talent benefit from structured, expert guidance and community. myGwork helps employers connect with LGBTQ+ professionals, benchmark best practice, and build more inclusive workplaces. To align with the changing demographics highlighted by the HRC report and tap into this growing talent pool, leaders can take the next step by signing up to myGwork and actively engaging with its global LGBTQ+ network.

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