TL;DR
- Over 2.8 million Americans aged 13+ identify as transgender.
- 75% of them are under 35, showing a generational shift.
- Trans adults are split almost evenly between men, women, and nonbinary identities.
- Minnesota leads with the highest percentage of trans adults, Hawaii with trans youth.
- Experts say the trend will keep growing as younger people openly embrace their identity.
America’s Trans Future Is Young and Proud
A new report has revealed what many in the LGBTQ community already know: trans visibility isn’t a fleeting headline—it’s a generational reality. More than 2.8 million Americans aged 13 and older, roughly 1% of the population, now identify as transgender, according to research from UCLA’s Williams Institute.
The data shatters any lingering myths that trans identity is some “rare anomaly.” Instead, it’s becoming a defining part of the American social fabric—especially among young people. More than three-quarters of transgender Americans are under 35. Compare that to just 34% of the overall U.S. population in the same age range, and the shift is obvious: Gen Z and Millennials are rewriting the map of gender identity.
Transgender population by age group
Youth Leading the Way
“Youth and young adults are more likely to identify as transgender due to a variety of factors, including a greater willingness among younger individuals to disclose,” explained Jody Herman, lead author of the study. That means this isn’t just a passing wave—it’s a full-on tide, and it’s rising.
Andrew R. Flores, a co-author, pointed out that improvements in surveys that include sexual orientation and gender identity questions have finally given researchers, policymakers, and the public a clearer picture. “Federal datasets … have provided critical information,” he said, underscoring how visibility translates into resources, protections, and, ultimately, respect.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Among adults, the trans community is almost perfectly balanced: 34.2% identify as trans men, 32.7% as trans women, and 33.1% as nonbinary. In other words, the trans umbrella is as diverse as America itself. The racial and ethnic makeup of trans people mirrors the national population, proving that gender identity crosses every demographic line.
Some states stand out: Minnesota tops the list for trans adults, with 1.2% of residents 18 or older identifying as transgender. Hawaii, meanwhile, leads with trans youth, where 3.6% of teens between 13 and 17 identify as trans.
Why This Matters
For LGBTQ Americans, especially trans youth, these numbers are more than statistics—they’re validation. They show a generation unafraid to live openly, even amid political backlash and legislative attacks aimed at silencing them.
For policymakers and allies, the data is a flashing neon sign: the future is trans, and support systems—from healthcare to education—must adapt. Ignoring these realities isn’t just cruel; it’s out of touch with where America is headed.
The report also dispels a popular myth: the adult trans population hasn’t exploded overnight. It’s remained “fairly consistent,” suggesting that what’s changing isn’t how many people are trans, but how willing younger generations are to claim their truth.
The LGBTQ Lens
For the LGBTQ community, this study is more than a milestone—it’s a call to action. Trans youth are visible, vocal, and vulnerable. The numbers prove they exist in every city, every school, and every family. That visibility is power, but it also makes them a target in today’s political climate.
As lawmakers push to erase trans people from classrooms, sports, and even healthcare, the Williams Institute data offers a reality check: millions of Americans are proudly living as trans, and millions more will follow. The next generation isn’t asking for permission; they’re demanding recognition.
America’s demographic future is clear. It’s young, it’s loud, it’s diverse—and yes, it’s trans.