2021 Disability Status Report: Illinois

Table of Contents

The 2021 Annual Disability Status Report

The Annual Disability Status Reports provide policy makers, disability advocates, reporters, and the public with a summary of the most recent demographic and economic statistics on the non-institutionalized population with disabilities. They contain information on the population size and disability prevalence for various demographic subpopulations, as well as statistics related to employment, earnings, household income, veterans' service-connected disability and health insurance. Comparisons are made to people without disabilities and across disability types. Disability Status Reports and other statistics are available for the United States overall, each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico at www.disabilitystatistics.org.

The Status Reports primarily look at the working-age population because the employment gap between people with and without disabilities is a major focus of government programs and advocacy efforts. Employment is also a key factor in the social integration and economic self-sufficiency of working-age people with disabilities.

The information in this report is based on data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) - a survey sent each year to a random sample of over 3.5 million households. For more information see the Census Bureau's ACS website http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ and our Guide to Disability Statistics from the American Community Survey (2008 Forward): http://disabilitystatistics.org/sources.

The estimates in these reports are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from actual population values because of sampling variability and other factors. Differences observed between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

http://www.census.gov/people/disability/methodology/acs.html

 

Suggested Citation

Erickson, W. Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2023). 2021 Disability Status Report: Illinois. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Yang Tan Institute on Employment and Disability (YTI).

We would like to thank Sara VanLooy, Brett Blanchard, Daniel Molczyk, and Owen Hartman for their assistance with editing and production of this document.

ACS Disability Questions

There is no single accepted definition of disability. Different definitions and disability questions may identify different populations with disabilities and result in larger or smaller estimates.

Below are the six questions used in the ACS to identify persons with disabilities. Note that the Census Bureau refers to each of the individual types as "difficulty" while in this report the term "disability" is used.

  • Hearing Disability (asked of all ages):
    • Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?
  • Visual Disability (asked of all ages):
    • Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?
  • Cognitive Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older):
    • Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?
  • Ambulatory Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older):
    • Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?
  • Self-Care Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older):
    • Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?
  • Independent Living Disability (asked of persons ages 15 or older):
    • Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

Note:

  • The "Any Disability" category used in this report includes persons who reported one or more of the individual disability types.
  • Respondents could report more than one disability type.
  • Some disability questions were not asked of children.
  • A separate set of survey questions identify veterans with service-connected disabilities. Based on a separate set of survey questions, this report includes estimates related to veterans' service-connected disability
    (see page 51).

 

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Notes

Spanish Language Reports: Spanish language versions of the Annual Disability Status Reports for the US, all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. can be downloaded at the same location as the English Status Reports. The Spanish translation was made possible through funding from the Northeast ADA Center and NIDILRR.

Puerto Rico: A Puerto Rico Disability Status Report, based on the parallel 2021 Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS), is available again this year in English as well as Spanish. However, please note that the Puerto Rico sample is not included in any U.S. population estimates included in these reports.

Group Quarters: In 2006, the ACS began surveying the group quarters population. We include the non-institutionalized group quarters population, but due to small state level sample sizes exclude the institutionalized group quarters population (see glossary) in the Disability Status Reports.

Margin of Error (MOE): As in previous years' reports we provide the 90% MOE to better illustrate sampling variability. See the glossary entry for more information on this topic.

Glossary: As in previous years, we provide a comprehensive glossary at the back of this report defining the terms used in the Disability Status Report (see glossary).

Note: According to the Census Bureau, estimates based on the ACS Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) file such as those included in this report may differ slightly from the ACS summary tables produced by the Census Bureau, because they are subject to additional sampling error and further data processing operations. Please see http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/faq#Q4 for further information.

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Illinois Summary

These statistics indicate the social and economic status of non-institutionalized people with disabilities in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS).

Age: In 2021, the prevalence of disability in Illinois was:

  • 11.9 percent for persons of all ages
  • 0.5 percent for persons ages 4 and under
  • 5.0 percent for persons ages 5 to 15
  • 7.2 percent for persons ages 16 to 20
  • 9.8 percent for persons ages 21 to 64
  • 22.9 percent for persons ages 65 to 74
  • 44.2 percent for persons ages 75+

Disability Type: In 2021, the prevalence of the six disability types among persons of all ages in Illinois was:

  • 11.9% reported Any Disability
  • 2.1% reported a Visual Disability
  • 3.1% reported a Hearing Disability
  • 6.3% reported an Ambulatory Disability
  • 4.7% reported a Cognitive Disability
  • 2.4% reported a Self-Care Disability
  • 5.4% reported an Independent Living Disability

Gender: In 2021, 12.5 percent of females of all ages and 11.4 percent of males of all ages in IL reported a disability.

Hispanic/Latino: In 2021, the prevalence of disability among persons of all ages of Hispanic or Latino origin in Illinois was 7.5 percent.

Race: In Illinois in 2021, the prevalence of disability for working-age people (ages 21 to 64) was:

  • 9.9 percent among Whites
  • 14.4 percent among Black / African Americans
  • 4.7 percent among Asians
  • 13.2 percent among Native Americans
  • 7.9 percent among persons of some other race(s)

Employment: In 2021, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Illinois was 42.0 percent.

Looking for Work: In Illinois in 2021, the percentage actively looking for work among people with disabilities who were not working was 12.2 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: In Illinois in 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year was 27.0 percent.

Annual Earnings: In 2021, the median annual earnings of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in Illinois was $49,400.

Annual Household Income: In Illinois in 2021, the median annual income of households with working-age people with disabilities was $56,600.

Poverty: In Illinois in 2021, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 24.6 percent.

Supplemental Security Income: In 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSI payments in Illinois was 15.6 percent.

Educational Attainment: In 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in Illinois:

  • with only a high school diploma or equivalent was 33.0 percent
  • with only some college or an associate degree was 32.7 percent
  • with a bachelor's degree or more was 19.0 percent.

Veterans Service-Connected Disability: In 2021, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans with a VA determined Service-Connected Disability was 23.9 percent in Illinois.

Health Insurance Coverage: In 2021 in Illinois, 92.2 percent of working-age people with disabilities had health insurance.

Prevalence: Ages 21 - 64

This summary lists percentages by state of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) people with disabilities using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). The US disability prevalence rate for this population was 10.9%

Location 2021 (%) Location 2021 (%)
Alabama 14.9 Montana 12.0
Alaska 13.1 Nebraska 11.3
Arizona 11.1 Nevada 10.8
Arkansas 15.9 New Hampshire 9.9
California 8.8 New Jersey 8.0
Colorado 9.3 New Mexico 14.4
Connecticut 9.5 New York 9.5
Delaware 11.2 North Carolina 11.6
District of Columbia 10.0 North Dakota 10.3
Florida 10.4 Ohio 12.4
Georgia 11.2 Oklahoma 15.6
Hawaii 9.0 Oregon 13.2
Idaho 12.0 Pennsylvania 11.3
Illinois 9.8 Rhode Island 11.8
Indiana 12.1 South Carolina 12.5
Iowa 10.8 South Dakota 10.9
Kansas 11.8 Tennessee 13.2
Kentucky 16.5 Texas 10.4
Louisiana 14.5 Utah 9.9
Maine 13.8 Vermont 11.0
Maryland 9.3 Virginia 10.3
Massachusetts 9.0 Washington 10.9
Michigan 12.1 West Virginia 16.7
Minnesota 10.2 Wisconsin 10.3
Mississippi 17.1 Wyoming 11.6
Missouri 12.8 Puerto Rico 17.2
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Employment: Ages 21 - 64

This summary lists employment rates by state of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) people with disabilities using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). The employment rate in the US for this population was 41.1% for people with disabilities and 78.6% for people without disabilities.

Location People with Disabilities 2021 People without Disabilities 2021 Location People with Disabilities 2021 People without Disabilities 2021
Alabama 32.4 76.9 Montana 43.3 80.0
Alaska 47.8 78.0 Nebraska 52.3 86.8
Arizona 44.5 77.7 Nevada 43.3 74.7
Arkansas 35.9 79.3 New Hampshire 45.7 83.5
California 40.0 75.6 New Jersey 41.1 78.7
Colorado 50.8 81.6 New Mexico 35.4 73.2
Connecticut 44.3 80.5 New York 37.2 76.3
Delaware 46.8 79.1 North Carolina 39.4 78.8
District of Columbia 41.1 81.1 North Dakota 57.1 85.4
Florida 39.6 78.1 Ohio 39.5 80.4
Georgia 39.6 78.4 Oklahoma 41.0 78.2
Hawaii 42.8 78.1 Oregon 42.2 78.2
Idaho 51.0 80.4 Pennsylvania 39.9 79.9
Illinois 42.0 78.9 Rhode Island 41.6 80.4
Indiana 41.1 80.5 South Carolina 36.5 77.5
Iowa 45.8 84.8 South Dakota 50.7 85.7
Kansas 44.2 82.7 Tennessee 35.8 78.8
Kentucky 34.0 77.8 Texas 46.6 77.7
Louisiana 34.3 74.6 Utah 53.7 81.2
Maine 35.5 81.7 Vermont 39.2 82.2
Maryland 46.5 81.2 Virginia 45.5 81.5
Massachusetts 42.0 81.6 Washington 42.8 78.8
Michigan 37.5 77.1 West Virginia 29.7 73.0
Minnesota 50.6 84.8 Wisconsin 46.0 83.5
Mississippi 33.7 75.8 Wyoming 52.4 81.6
Missouri 41.9 81.4 Puerto Rico 25.6 61.5

Prevalence

All Ages

Prevalence: All Ages 11.9%

Introduction

This section addresses the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages in IL was 11.9 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 1,492,800 of the 12,518,700 individuals of all ages in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 6.3 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 2.1 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in Illinois in 2021*

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 11.9 0.21 1,492,800 26,300 12,518,700 123,918
Visual 2.1 0.09 266,100 11,700 12,518,700 123,918
Hearing 3.1 0.11 384,200 13,990 12,518,700 123,918
Ambulatory 6.3 0.16 739,300 19,120 11,819,100 117,783
Cognitive 4.7 0.14 550,600 16,630 11,819,100 117,783
Self-Care 2.4 0.10 280,600 12,000 11,819,100 117,783
Independent Living 5.4 0.16 553,000 16,660 10,228,400 103,587

* Note: Children under the age of five were only asked about Vision and Hearing disabilities. The Independent Living disability question was only asked of persons aged 16 years old and older.

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Prevalence

Ages 4 years and under

Prevalence: Ages 4 and under 0.5%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 4 and under in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). Only the two sensory disability questions were asked of this population. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a visual and/or hearing disability ages 0 to 4 in IL was 0.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 3,500 of the 699,600 children ages 0 to 4 in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, 0.2 percent reported a visual disability
  • In IL in 2021, 0.4 percent reported a hearing disability

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 4 and under in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 0.5 3.29 3,500 1,360 699,600 6,135
Visual 0.2 3.29 1,200 800 699,600 6,135
Hearing 0.4 3.29 2,700 1,190 699,600 6,135
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Prevalence

Ages 5 to 15 years

Prevalence: Ages 5 to 15 years 5.0%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 5 to 15 in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a disability ages 5 to 15 in IL was 5.0 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 87,600 of the 1,762,600 individuals ages 5 to 15 in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, among the five types of disabilities* identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 3.7 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Hearing Disability," 0.5 percent.

Prevalence of disability* among non-institutionalized people ages 5 to 15 in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 5.0 0.38 87,600 6,760 1,762,600 15,714
Visual 0.7 3.29 12,900 2,600 1,762,600 15,714
Hearing 0.5 3.29 8,400 2,100 1,762,600 15,714
Ambulatory 0.6 3.29 9,900 2,280 1,762,600 15,714
Cognitive 3.7 0.33 65,600 5,850 1,762,600 15,714
Self-Care 1.0 3.29 17,700 3,040 1,762,600 15,714

* Note: The "Independent Living Disability" question was not asked of children ages 15 years and younger.

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Prevalence

Ages 16 to 20 years

Prevalence: Ages 16 to 20 years 7.2%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 16 to 20 in IL was 7.2 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 59,400 of the 827,100 individuals ages 16 to 20 in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 5.2 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 0.6 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 7.2 0.65 59,400 5,570 827,100 7,755
Visual 1.2 3.29 9,600 2,240 827,100 7,755
Hearing 0.8 3.29 6,300 1,820 827,100 7,755
Ambulatory 0.6 3.29 5,200 1,650 827,100 7,755
Cognitive 5.2 0.56 43,200 4,750 827,100 7,755
Self-Care 0.9 3.29 7,100 1,930 827,100 7,755
Independent Living 3.0 0.43 24,600 3,590 827,100 7,755
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Prevalence

Ages 21 to 64 years

Prevalence: Ages 21 to 64 years 9.8%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working age people (ages 21 to 64) with a disability in IL was 9.8 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 703,000 of the 7,181,800 individuals ages 21 to 64 in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 4.4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was "Self-Care Disability," 1.6 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 21 to 64 in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 9.8 0.25 703,000 18,670 7,181,800 68,673
Visual 1.8 3.29 132,200 8,290 7,181,800 68,673
Hearing 1.8 3.29 127,100 8,130 7,181,800 68,673
Ambulatory 4.4 0.17 313,600 12,670 7,181,800 68,673
Cognitive 4.1 0.17 293,000 12,260 7,181,800 68,673
Self-Care 1.6 3.29 117,400 7,810 7,181,800 68,673
Independent Living 3.5 0.16 251,800 11,380 7,181,800 68,673
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Prevalence

Ages 65 to 74 years

Prevalence: Ages 65 to 74 years 22.9%

Introduction

This section explores the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 65 to 74 in IL was 22.9 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 286,100 of the 1,249,000 individuals ages 65 to 74 in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 14.2 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 3.5 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 22.9 0.86 286,100 12,120 1,249,000 15,345
Visual 3.5 0.38 43,500 4,770 1,249,000 15,345
Hearing 7.4 0.54 92,900 6,960 1,249,000 15,345
Ambulatory 14.2 0.72 177,300 9,580 1,249,000 15,345
Cognitive 4.8 0.44 59,400 5,570 1,249,000 15,345
Self-Care 3.9 0.40 49,000 5,060 1,249,000 15,345
Independent Living 7.6 0.54 94,400 7,010 1,249,000 15,345
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Prevalence

Ages 75 and Older

Prevalence: Ages 75 and Older 44.2%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 75 and older in IL was 44.2 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 353,200 of the 798,500 individuals ages 75 and older in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 29.2 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 8.3 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 44.2 1.27 353,200 13,430 798,500 10,296
Visual 8.3 0.71 66,700 5,900 798,500 10,296
Hearing 18.4 0.99 146,800 8,730 798,500 10,296
Ambulatory 29.2 1.17 233,300 10,970 798,500 10,296
Cognitive 11.2 0.81 89,400 6,830 798,500 10,296
Self-Care 11.2 0.81 89,500 6,830 798,500 10,296
Independent Living 22.2 1.07 177,400 9,580 798,500 10,296
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Prevalence

Gender and Age

Prevalence: Males All Ages 11.4%
 
Prevalence: Female All Ages 12.5%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by gender and age group in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In IL in 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of males with a disability of all ages was 11.4 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 699,800 of the 6,161,300 males of all ages in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of females with a disability of all ages was 12.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 792,900 of the 6,357,300 females of all ages in IL reported one or more disabilities.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by gender and age group in Illinois in 2021

Gender & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Male
Male: All Ages 11.4 0.29 699,800 18,630 6,161,300 60,640
Male: Ages 4 and under 0.5 3.29 1,800 970 363,400 3,180
Male: Ages 5-15 5.8 0.57 52,100 5,220 893,700 8,007
Male: Ages 16-20 7.0 0.89 29,900 3,960 428,500 4,033
Male: Ages 21-64 9.6 0.36 341,100 13,200 3,561,700 33,811
Male: Ages 65-74 23.3 1.26 136,300 8,420 586,200 7,223
Male: Ages 75+ 42.3 1.98 138,500 8,480 327,800 4,386
Female
Female: All Ages 12.5 0.30 792,900 19,760 6,357,300 63,278
Female: Ages 4 and under 0.5 3.29 1,700 950 336,200 2,955
Female: Ages 5-15 4.1 0.49 35,400 4,310 868,800 7,707
Female: Ages 16-20 7.4 0.95 29,500 3,930 398,600 3,722
Female: Ages 21-64 10.0 0.36 361,800 13,590 3,620,100 34,862
Female: Ages 65-74 22.6 1.18 149,800 8,810 662,800 8,122
Female: Ages 75+ 45.6 1.66 214,700 10,530 470,800 5,910

* Note: Children ages 0-4 were only asked about visual and hearing disabilities, children ages 5-15 were not asked the "Independent Living Disability" question.

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Prevalence

Hispanic/Latino Origin and Age

Prevalence: Hispanic All Ages 7.5%
 
Prevalence: Non-Hispanic All Ages 12.9%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by Hispanic/Latino origin and age group in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In IL in 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 7.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 169,400 of the 2,265,300 people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in IL reported one or more disabilities.
  • In IL in 2021, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 12.9 percent.
  • In other words, in 2021, 1,323,400 of the 10,253,300 people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in IL reported one or more disabilities.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by Hispanic / Latino origin and age group in Illinois in 2021

Hispanic/Latino Origin & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Hispanic
Hispanic: All Ages 7.5 0.40 169,400 9,370 2,265,300 16,378
Hispanic: Ages 4 and under 0.8 3.29 1,400 850 167,900 1,093
Hispanic: Ages 5-15 4.1 0.68 17,900 3,060 440,800 3,091
Hispanic: Ages 16-20 6.5 1.25 13,200 2,640 203,600 1,511
Hispanic: Ages 21-64 7.2 0.52 92,500 6,940 1,290,000 9,333
Hispanic: Ages 65-74 19.4 2.75 21,000 3,320 108,200 895
Hispanic: Ages 75+ 42.8 4.84 23,400 3,500 54,800 455
Non-Hispanic
Non-Hispanic: All Ages 12.9 0.24 1,323,400 24,950 10,253,300 107,540
Non-Hispanic: Ages 4 and under 0.4 3.29 2,100 1,060 531,700 5,042
Non-Hispanic: Ages 5-15 5.3 0.45 69,700 6,030 1,321,800 12,623
Non-Hispanic: Ages 16-20 7.4 0.76 46,200 4,920 623,500 6,244
Non-Hispanic: Ages 21-64 10.4 0.29 610,500 17,470 5,891,700 59,340
Non-Hispanic: Ages 65-74 23.2 0.91 265,100 11,670 1,140,800 14,450
Non-Hispanic: Ages 75+ 44.3 1.32 329,700 12,990 743,700 9,841

* Note: Children ages 0-4 were only asked about visual and hearing disabilities, children ages 5-15 were not asked the "Independent Living Disability" question.

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Prevalence

Race

Introduction

This section presents the disability prevalence rate among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race category in IL, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

In 2021, among working-age people in IL:

  • 9.9 percent of persons who were White reported a disability.
  • 14.4 percent of persons who were Black/African American reported a disability.
  • 13.2 percent of persons who were Native American reported a disability.
  • 4.7 percent of persons who were Asian reported a disability.
  • 7.9 percent of persons who were some other race(s) reported a disability.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race in Illinois in 2021

Race Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
White 9.9 0.33 434,400 14,840 4,406,400 47,762
Black/African American 14.4 0.82 136,500 8,420 951,200 6,266
Native American or Alaska Native 13.2 3.40 6,900 1,900 52,100 486
Asian 4.7 0.71 21,400 3,350 458,100 4,164
Some other race(s) 7.9 0.54 103,800 7,350 1,313,900 9,995
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Employment

Employment: with disability 42.0%
 
Employment: without disability 78.9%

Introduction

This section examines the employment rates of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in IL was 42.0 percent.
  • In 2021, the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities in IL was 78.9 percent.
  • The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities was 36.9 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest employment rate was for people with a "Hearing Disability," 57.5 percent. The lowest employment rate was for people with a "Self-Care Disability," 16.0 percent.

Employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 78.9 0.37 5,108,700 39,850 6,478,800 61,639
Any Disability 42.0 1.35 295,500 12,310 703,000 7,034
Visual 50.2 3.15 66,400 5,890 132,200 1,235
Hearing 57.5 3.18 73,100 6,180 127,100 1,341
Ambulatory 27.2 1.82 85,300 6,670 313,600 3,177
Cognitive 34.6 2.01 101,500 7,270 293,000 2,938
Self-Care 16.0 2.45 18,800 3,140 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 21.2 1.87 53,300 5,280 251,800 2,572
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Not Working but Actively Looking for Work

Actively Looking: with disability 12.2%
 
Actively Looking: without disability 25.1%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Illinois who are not working but actively looking for work, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021 in IL, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 12.2 percent.
  • In 2021 in IL, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 25.1 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage not working but actively looking for work between working-age people with and without disabilities was 12.9 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage of not working but actively looking for work was for people with a "Visual Disability," 13.2 percent. The lowest percentage was for people with a "Self-Care Disability," 5.3 percent.

Percentage who are not working but actively looking for work among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 25.1 0.85 343,700 13,250 1,370,100 12,868
Any Disability 12.2 1.17 49,700 5,100 407,400 4,163
Visual 13.2 3.02 8,700 2,130 65,800 628
Hearing 11.6 3.16 6,200 1,810 54,000 570
Ambulatory 8.4 1.33 19,100 3,160 228,300 2,346
Cognitive 12.8 1.75 24,600 3,590 191,500 1,984
Self-Care 5.3 1.64 5,200 1,660 98,600 957
Independent Living 7.2 1.33 14,300 2,740 198,400 2,054
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Full-Time / Full-Year Employment

FT / FY Employment: with disability 27.0%
 
FT / FY Employment: without disability 60.0%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities working full-time/full-year in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in IL was 27.0 percent.
  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities working full-time/full-year in IL was 60.0 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage working full-time/full-year between working-age people with and without disabilities was 33.0 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest full-time/full-year employment rate was for people with "Hearing Disability," 40.2 percent. The lowest full-time/full-year employment rate was for people with "Self-Care Disability," 8.9 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 60.0 0.44 3,888,300 37,620 6,478,800 61,639
Any Disability 27.0 1.21 190,100 9,920 703,000 7,034
Visual 34.7 3.00 45,800 4,900 132,200 1,235
Hearing 40.2 3.15 51,100 5,170 127,100 1,341
Ambulatory 17.5 1.55 54,900 5,360 313,600 3,177
Cognitive 18.9 1.66 55,300 5,380 293,000 2,938
Self-Care 8.9 1.90 10,500 2,350 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 10.5 1.40 26,400 3,720 251,800 2,572
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Annual Earnings (Full-Time / Full-Year workers)

Earnings: with disability $49,400
 
Earnings: without disability $59,700

Introduction

This section examines the median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who work full-time/full-year in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the median earnings of working-age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in IL was $49,400.
  • In 2021, the median earnings of working-age people without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in IL was $59,700.
  • The difference in the median earnings between working-age people with and without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year was $10,300.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest annual earnings was for people with "Hearing Disability," $59,700. The lowest annual earnings was for people with "Independent Living Disability," $41,200.

Median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) who work full-time/full-year by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Median Earnings MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $59,700 $690 3,888,000 37,193
Any Disability $49,400 $2,610 190,000 1,851
Visual $46,300 $5,310 46,000 423
Hearing $59,700 $5,810 51,000 552
Ambulatory $46,300 $4,320 55,000 513
Cognitive $43,300 $4,300 55,000 523
Self-Care $49,400 $11,600 10,000 91
Independent Living $41,200 $5,600 26,000 258
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Annual Household Income

Household Income: with disability $56,600
 
Household Income: without disability $85,500

Introduction

This section illustrates the median annual income* of households that include any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the median income of households that include any working-age people with disabilities in IL was $56,600.
  • In 2021, the median income of households that do not include any working-age people with disabilities in IL was $85,500.
  • The difference in the median income between households including and not including working-age people with disabilities was $28,900.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest median income was for households including persons with a "Hearing Disability," $73,100. The lowest median income was for households containing persons with a "Ambulatory Disability" $48,400.

* Note: Household income is not available for persons living in group quarters.

Median annual income* of households including any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Median H.H. Income MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $85,500 $1,280 3,349,000 31,885
Any Disability $56,600 $2,520 596,000 5,944
Visual $56,000 $5,630 119,000 1,108
Hearing $73,100 $6,380 120,000 1,265
Ambulatory $48,400 $3,290 283,000 2,864
Cognitive $51,500 $3,440 250,000 2,447
Self-Care $51,500 $5,270 107,000 1,022
Independent Living $49,800 $3,720 220,000 2,204

* Note: Household income is not available for persons living in group quarters.

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Poverty

Poverty: with disability 24.6%
 
Poverty: without disability 9.4%

Introduction

This section examines the poverty rates* of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities in IL was 24.6 percent.
  • In 2021, the poverty rate of working-age people without disabilities in IL was 9.4 percent.
  • The difference in the poverty rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 15.2 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest poverty rate was for people with "Ambulatory Disability," 28.9 percent. The lowest poverty rate was for people with "Hearing Disability," 19.9 percent.

* Note: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.

Poverty rates* of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 9.4 0.38 604,000 24,830 6,456,800 61,272
Any Disability 24.6 1.68 172,900 13,520 701,900 7,013
Visual 27.5 4.02 36,300 6,230 132,100 1,233
Hearing 19.9 3.67 25,200 5,190 127,000 1,338
Ambulatory 28.9 2.65 90,400 9,810 313,400 3,175
Cognitive 28.0 2.72 81,800 9,330 292,000 2,919
Self-Care 28.6 4.32 33,600 5,990 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 27.9 2.93 70,200 8,650 251,400 2,566

* Note: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI Recipients: with disability 15.6%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary. Please note that these results will differ from official Social Security Administration reports for several reasons. For additional information, please email DisabilityStatistics@cornell.edu.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in IL was 15.6 percent.
  • In 2021, the number of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in IL was 109,800.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage that received SSI was people with "Self-Care Disability," 27.6 percent. The lowest percentage that received SSI was people with "Hearing Disability," 11.5 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability 15.6 0.99 109,800 7,560 703,000 7,034
Visual 12.7 2.10 16,800 2,970 132,200 1,235
Hearing 11.5 2.05 14,600 2,770 127,100 1,341
Ambulatory 19.9 1.63 62,600 5,720 313,600 3,177
Cognitive 20.7 1.72 60,700 5,630 293,000 2,938
Self-Care 27.6 2.99 32,400 4,120 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 25.7 2.00 64,600 5,810 251,800 2,572
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Education

High School Diploma/Equivalent

High School Only: with disability 33.0%
 
High School Only: without disability 22.4%

Introduction

This section explores the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in IL was 33.0 percent.
  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in IL was 22.4 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent between working-age people with and without disabilities was 10.6 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent was for people with "Independent Living," 38.1 percent. The lowest percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent was for people with "Visual" 29.9 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only a high school diploma or equivalent by disability status in IL in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 22.4 0.38 1,450,700 25,970 6,478,800 61,639
Any Disability 33.0 1.29 232,200 10,940 703,000 7,034
Visual 29.9 2.88 39,600 4,550 132,200 1,235
Hearing 30.3 2.95 38,500 4,490 127,100 1,341
Ambulatory 32.6 1.92 102,100 7,290 313,600 3,177
Cognitive 35.2 2.02 103,000 7,330 293,000 2,938
Self-Care 34.2 3.17 40,200 4,590 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 38.1 2.22 95,900 7,070 251,800 2,572
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Education

Some College/Associate's Degree

Some College: with disability 32.7%
 
Some College: without disability 28.8%

Introduction

This section examines the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in IL was 32.7 percent.
  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in IL was 28.8 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree between working-age people with and without disabilities was 3.9 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree was for people with "Ambulatory," 34.5 percent. The lowest percentage with only some college or Associate's degree was for people with "Independent Living," 29.4 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only some college or an Associate's degree by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 28.8 0.41 1,865,700 28,900 6,478,800 61,639
Any Disability 32.7 1.28 230,100 10,890 703,000 7,034
Visual 32.4 2.95 42,800 4,730 132,200 1,235
Hearing 31.7 2.99 40,300 4,590 127,100 1,341
Ambulatory 34.5 1.95 108,200 7,500 313,600 3,177
Cognitive 30.3 1.95 88,700 6,800 293,000 2,938
Self-Care 30.0 3.06 35,200 4,290 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 29.4 2.08 73,900 6,210 251,800 2,572
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Education

Bachelor's Degree or More

Bachelor's Degree or More: with disability 19.0%
 
Bachelor's Degree or More: without disability 41.2%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in IL was 19.0 percent.
  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in IL was 41.2 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more between working-age people with and without disabilities was 22.2 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more was for people with "Hearing," 24.1 percent. The lowest percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more was for people with "Self-Care," 13.2 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with a Bachelor's degree or more by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 41.2 0.44 2,666,800 33,250 6,478,800 61,639
Any Disability 19.0 1.07 133,200 8,320 703,000 7,034
Visual 19.6 2.50 25,900 3,690 132,200 1,235
Hearing 24.1 2.75 30,600 4,010 127,100 1,341
Ambulatory 14.7 1.45 46,000 4,900 313,600 3,177
Cognitive 17.5 1.61 51,200 5,170 293,000 2,938
Self-Care 13.2 2.26 15,500 2,850 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 13.6 1.57 34,400 4,240 251,800 2,572
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Veterans Service-Connected Disability Rating

Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability 23.9%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) civilian veterans reporting a service-connected disability rating in Illinois. The 2008 American Community Survey (ACS) asks if the veteran has a service-connected disability, and if so, what their rating is (0-100%). A "service-connected" disability is one that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as being a result of disease or injury incurred or aggravated during military service. Note that a veteran can receive disability compensation for a wide range of conditions, and a veteran with a service-connected disability may not report having one of the six ACS functional or activity limitation disabilities. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, there were 228,800 working-age civilian veterans in IL, of whom 54,600 had a VA service-connected disability.
  • In 2021, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans in IL with a VA service-connected disability was 23.9 percent.
  • In 2021, 23,200 working-age civilian veterans in IL had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).
  • In 2021, 42.4 percent of the working-age civilian veterans in IL who had a service connected disability had a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or above.

Disability rating of working-age civilian veterans (ages 21 to 64) with a service-connected disability in Illinois in 2021

Service-Connected Disability Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Has a service-connected disability rating (0-100%) 23.9 2.04 54,600 5,340 228,800 2,387
Disability rating of veterans with a service connected-disability
0 percent 7.1 2.52 3,900 1,430 54,600 583
10 or 20 percent 17.4 3.72 9,500 2,230 54,600 583
30 or 40 percent 15.9 3.59 8,700 2,130 54,600 583
50 or 60 percent 13.0 3.30 7,100 1,930 54,600 583
70 percent or higher 42.4 4.85 23,200 3,480 54,600 583
Rating not reported 4.3 1.99 2,300 1,100 54,600 583
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Health Insurance Coverage

Health Coverage: with Disability 92.2%
 
Health Coverage: without Disability 89.7%

Introduction

This section examines the health insurance coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, 92.2 percent of working-age people with disabilities in IL had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • In 2021, 89.7 percent of working-age people without disabilities in IL had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • The difference in the health insurance coverage rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 2.5 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest health insurance coverage rate was for people with "Self-Care Disability," 95.4 percent. The lowest health insurance coverage rate was for people with "Visual Disability," 90.1 percent.

Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 89.7 0.27 5,813,200 40,650 6,478,800 61,639
Any Disability 92.2 0.73 648,500 17,970 703,000 7,034
Visual 90.1 1.88 119,100 7,870 132,200 1,235
Hearing 92.8 1.66 117,900 7,830 127,100 1,341
Ambulatory 93.9 0.98 294,400 12,290 313,600 3,177
Cognitive 93.2 1.07 273,100 11,840 293,000 2,938
Self-Care 95.4 1.40 112,000 7,630 117,400 1,131
Independent Living 94.4 1.05 237,600 11,060 251,800 2,572
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Type of Health Insurance Coverage

Coverage through Employer/Union: with Disability 41.8%
 
Coverage through Employer/Union: without Disability 69.9%

Introduction

This section examines the type of health insurance coverage for non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Illinois, using data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). Note that people can report more than one type of insurance coverage. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2021, 41.8 percent of working-age people with disabilities in IL reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2021, 69.9 percent of working-age people without disabilities in IL reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2021, 9.1 percent of working-age people with disabilities in IL reported purchasing health insurance coverage directly from an insurance company (by themselves or another family member).
  • In 2021, 18.8 percent of working-age people with disabilities in IL reported Medicare coverage and 40.1 percent reported Medicaid coverage (or other government-assistance plan for those with low incomes or a disability).

Type of Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Illinois in 2021

Disability Status/ Insurance Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability
Uninsured 7.8 0.73 54,500 5,340 703,000 7,034
Employer/Union 41.8 1.35 293,600 12,270 703,000 7,034
Purchased 9.1 0.79 63,700 5,770 703,000 7,034
Medicare 18.8 1.07 131,900 8,280 703,000 7,034
Medicaid 40.1 1.34 281,800 12,030 703,000 7,034
Military/VA 4.1 0.54 28,600 3,870 703,000 7,034
Indian Health Service 0.1 3.29 700 600 703,000 7,034
No Disability
Uninsured 10.3 0.27 665,600 18,200 6,478,800 61,639
Employer/Union 69.9 0.41 4,530,600 39,090 6,478,800 61,639
Purchased 10.0 0.27 650,000 17,990 6,478,800 61,639
Medicare 1.5 3.29 96,500 7,090 6,478,800 61,639
Medicaid 12.1 0.29 787,000 19,690 6,478,800 61,639
Military/VA 1.8 3.29 115,700 7,760 6,478,800 61,639
Indian Health Service 0.0 3.29 1,600 910 6,478,800 61,639
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Glossary

Actively Looking for Work

A person is defined as ACTIVELY looking for work if he or she reports looking for work during the last four weeks.

Ambulatory Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?

Base Population (Base Pop.)

The estimated number of individuals upon which the calculation is based. (For percentages, this is the denominator).

Cognitive Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

Disability and Disability Types

The ACS definition of disability is based on six questions. A person is coded as having a disability if he or she or a proxy respondent answers affirmatively for one or more of these six categories.

  • Hearing Disability (asked of all ages): Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?
  • Visual Disability (asked of all ages): Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?
  • Cognitive Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?
  • Ambulatory Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?
  • Self-care Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?
  • Independent Living Disability (asked of persons ages 15 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping?

Earnings

Earnings are defined as wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs including self-employment income (NET income after business expenses) from own nonfarm businesses or farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships.

Education

Our definition is based on the responses to the question: "What is the highest degree or level of school this person has completed? If currently enrolled, mark the previous grade or highest degree received." Our category "high school diploma/equivalent" includes those marking the ACS option "Regular high school diploma — GED or alternative credential." Our category "Some college/Associate's degree" includes those marking the ACS options: some college credit, but less than 1 year of college credit; one or more years of college credit but no degree, or "Associate's degree (for example: AA, AS)." Our category "a Bachelor's or more" includes those marking the ACS options: "Bachelor's degree (for example: BA, BS)"; "Master's degree (for example: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)"; "Professional degree (for example: MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD)"; or "Doctorate degree (for example: PhD, EdD)." Note in 2008 changes were made to some of the response categories and the layout of this question.

Employment

A person is considered employed if he or she is either

  1. “at work”: those who did any work at all during the reference week as a paid employee (worked in his or her own business or profession, worked on his or her own farm, or worked 15 or more hours as an unpaid worker on a family farm or business) or
  2. “with a job but not at work”: had a job but temporarily did not work at that job during the reference week due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation or other personal reasons. The reference week is defined as the week preceding the date the questionnaire was completed.

Employment Rate

The employment rate is calculated by dividing the number of persons employed by the number of persons in that population.

** Note that the unemployment rate cannot be calculated using the employment rate:

  • The employment rate is the percentage of all persons who have a job.
  • The unemployment rate is the percentage of persons in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for work. The labor force includes people who have a job, are on layoff, or who actively searched for work in the last four weeks.

Please see http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/faq.cfm#Q6 for more information on unemployment rate calculation and its implications.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment

A person is considered employed full-time/full-year if he or she worked 35 hours or more per week (full-time) and 50 or more weeks per year (full-year). The reference period is defined as the year preceding the date the questionnaire was completed. Note: this does not signify whether a person is eligible for fringe benefits. The question and response categories regarding weeks worked per year was changed in 2008.

Group Quarters (GQ)

A GQ is a place where people live or stay that is normally owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents. These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other types of assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living in group quarters are usually not related to each other. Group quarters include such places as college residence halls, residential treatment centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes, military barracks, correctional facilities, and workers' dormitories. See the definitions of institutional GQs and non-institutional GQs for more information. In addition, a description of the types of group quarters included in the 2008 ACS is located on the U.S. Census Bureau's Web site at www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/
2008_ACS_GQ_Definitions.pdf.

Health Insurance Coverage

Is based on the following question: Is this person CURRENTLY covered by any of the following types of health insurance or health coverage plans? Mark "Yes" or "No" for EACH type of coverage in items a – h.

  1. Insurance through a current or former employer or union (of this person or another family member)
  2. Insurance purchased directly from an insurance company (by this person or another family member)
  3. Medicare, for people 65 and older, or people with certain disabilities
  4. Medicaid, Medical Assistance, or any kind of government-assistance plan for those with low incomes or a disability
  5. VA (including those who have ever used or enrolled for VA health care)
  6. TRICARE or other military health care
  7. Indian Health Service
  8. Any other type of health insurance or health coverage plan – Specify (Note: “Other type” were recoded into one of the categories a-g by the Census Bureau)

Hearing Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of all ages): Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?

Hispanic or Latino Origin

People of Hispanic or Latino origin are those who classify themselves in a specific Hispanic or Latino category in response to the question, "Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino?" Specifically, those of Hispanic or Latino origin are those who are Cuban; Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano; Puerto Rican; or other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino. Origin may be the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person's parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. People who identify their origin as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino may be of any race.

Household Income

Household Income is defined as the total income of a household including: wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs; self-employment income (NET income after business expenses) from own non-farm or farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships; interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, or income from real estates and trusts; Social Security or Railroad Retirement; Supplemental Security Income; any public assistance or welfare payments from the state or local welfare office; retirement, survivor or disability pensions; and any other regularly received income (e.g., Veterans' payments, unemployment compensation, child support or alimony). Median household income is calculated with the household as the unit of analysis, using household weights without adjusting for household size.

Independent Living Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 15 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctors office or shopping?

Institutional Group Quarters (GQs)

Includes facilities for people under formally authorized, supervised care or custody at the time of enumeration. Generally, restricted to the institution, under the care or supervision of trained staff, and classified as "patients" or "inmates." Includes: correctional, nursing, and in-patient hospice facilities, psychiatric hospitals, juvenile group homes and residential treatment centers.

Margin of Error (MOE)

Data, such as data from the American Community Survey, is based on a sample, and therefore statistics derived from this data are subject to sampling variability. The margin of error (MOE) is a measure of the degree of sampling variability. In a random sample, the degree of sampling variation is determined by the underlying variability of the phenomena being estimated (e.g., income) and the size of the sample (i.e., the number of survey participants used to calculate the statistic). The smaller the margin of error, the lower the sampling variability and the more "precise" the estimate. A margin of error is the difference between an estimate and its upper or lower confidence bounds. Confidence bounds are calculated by adding the MOE to the estimate (upper bound) and subtracting the MOE from the estimate (lower bound). All margins of error in this report are based on a 90 percent confidence level. This means that there is a 90% certainty that the actual value lies somewhere between the upper and lower confidence bounds.

Non-Institutional Group Quarters (GQs)

Includes facilities that are not classified as institutional group quarters; such as college/university housing, group homes intended for adults, residential treatment facilities for adults, workers' group living quarters and Job Corps centers and religious group quarters.

Not Working but Actively Looking for Work

A person is defined as not working but actively looking for work if he or she reports not being employed, but has been looking for work during the last four weeks.

Number

This term appears in the tables; it refers to estimated number of people in the category. (for percentages, this is the numerator).

Poverty

The poverty measure is computed based upon the standards defined in Directive 14 from the Office of Management and Budget. These standards use poverty thresholds created in 1982 and index these thresholds to 2008 dollars using poverty factors based upon the Consumer Price Index. They use the family as the income sharing unit and family income is the sum of total income from each family member living in the household. The poverty threshold depends upon the size of the family; the age of the householder; and the number of related children under the age of 18.

Race

Race categories are based on the question, "[w]hat is this person's race? Mark (X) one or more races to indicate what this person considers himself/herself to be." Responses include the following: White; Black or African-American; American Indian or Alaska Native (print name of enrolled or principal tribe); Asian Indian; Chinese; Filipino; Japanese; Korean; Vietnamese; Other Asian (Print Race); Native Hawaiian; Guamanian or Chamarro; Samoan; Other Pacific Islander (Print Race Below); Some other race (print race below). "Other race" also contains people who report more than one race.

Sample Size

The number of survey participants used to calculate the statistic.

Self-care Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 5 or older): 17c. Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

A person is defined as receiving SSI payments if he or she reports receiving (SSI) income in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Note: The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not apply to Puerto Rico. SSI is a federal cash assistance program that provides monthly payments to low-income aged, blind, or disabled persons in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Veteran Service-Connected Disability

A disease or injury determined to have occurred in or to have been aggravated by military service. A disability is evaluated according to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities in Title 38, CFR, and Part 4. Extent of disability is expressed as a percentage from 0% (for conditions that exist but are not disabling to a compensable degree) to 100%, in increments of 10%. This information was determined by the following two part question:

  1. Does this person have a VA service-connected disability rating?
    Yes (such as 0%, 10%, 20%, ... , 100%)
    No SKIP to question 28a
  2. What is this person’s service-connected disability rating?”
    Responses included: 0 percent; 10 or 20 percent; 30 or 40 percent; 50 or 60 percent; 70 percent or higher

Visual Disability

This disability type is based on the question:(asked of all ages): Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?

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About the Disability Status Reports

The Cornell University Disability Status Reports is produced and funded by the Yang Tan Institute at the Cornell University ILR School. This effort originated as a product of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) funded to the Yang Tan Institute in the ILR School at Cornell University by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (grant No. H133B031111).

The contents of this report do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government (Edgar, 75.620 (b)).

 

Contact Us

K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan
Institute on Employment and Disability
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853
Phone: 607.255.7727
Email: disabilitystatistics@cornell.edu
Web: www.disabilitystatistics.org




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