- The U.S. Virgin Islands Disability Status Report
- Virgin Islands Decennial Census 2010 Disability Questions
- U.S. Virgin Islands Summary
- Prevalence: All Ages
- Prevalence: By Island and Age
- Prevalence: Ages 17 and under
- Prevalence: Ages 18 to 64 years
- Prevalence: Ages 65 and Older
- Prevalence: Gender and Age
- Employment
- Employment by Island
- Poverty
- Educational Attainment
- Veterans Service-Connected Disability Rating
- Glossary
- About the Disability Status Reports
- Contact Us
2010 Disability Status Report: U.S. Virgin Islands
Table of Contents
The U.S. Virgin Islands Disability Status Report
This U.S. Virgin Islands Disability Status Report provides policy makers, disability advocates, reporters, and the public with a summary of the most recent demographic and economic statistics on the civilian non-institutionalized population with disabilities. It contains information on the population size and disability prevalence for various demographic subpopulations, as well as statistics related to employment, poverty, and veterans' service- connected disabilities. Selected statistics including overall disability prevalence by age, employment and poverty rates are also provided by island, Comparisons are made to people without disabilities and across disability types when possible.
Our 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 tables from the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Virgin Islands survey that includes questions regarding disability - the Virgin Islands 2010 Decennial Census. This U.S. Census Bureau survey included all persons living on the Virgin Islands as of April, 2010. The estimates provided in this report are limited to the civilian non-institutionalized population.
This U.S. Virgin Islands Disability Status Report can be downloaded for free on www.disabilitystatistics.org.
You can also access other Disability Status Reports and statistics for the United States overall, each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, based on the Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey (ACS) at www.disabilitystatistics.org
Data Source:
All data provided in this report is based on tables downloaded from the U.S. Census Bureau AmericanFactfinder (AFF) website <http://factfinder2.census.gov>. The specific table IDs are provided at the bottom of each page.
2010 U.S. Virgin Islands SF, Adapted from tables: DP-2, PBG30, PBG31, PBG32, PCT33, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT38, PCT39, PCT40; generated by William Erickson; using American FactFinder; <http://factfinder2.census.gov>; (April 2014).
Suggested Citation
Erickson, W. (2014). Disability Status Report: U.S. Virgin Islands. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Yang Tan Institute (YTI).
We would like to thank Katie Steigerwalt, Jason Criss, and Joe Williams for their assistance with editing and production of this document.
Virgin Islands Decennial Census 2010 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 Virgin Islands Decennial Census 2010 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.
U.S. Virgin Islands Summary
These statistics indicate the social and economic status of civilian non-institutionalized people with disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.*
Age: In 2010, the prevalence of disability in the U.S. Virgin Islands was:
- 9.8 percent for persons of all ages
- 0.4 percent for persons ages 4 and under
- 3.0 percent for persons ages 5 to 17
- 8.0 percent for persons ages 18 to 64
- 23.6 percent for persons ages 65 to 74
- 49.2 percent for persons ages 65 and older
Disability Type: In 2010, the prevalence of the six disability types among persons of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands was:
- 3.3 percent reported a Visual Disability
- 2.0 percent reported a Hearing Disability
- 5.6 percent reported an Ambulatory Disability
- 3.2 percent reported a Cognitive Disability
- 1.8 percent reported a Self-Care Disability
- 4.3 percent reported an Independent Living Disability
Gender: In 2010, 10.5 percent of females of all ages and 9.1 percent of males of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands reported a disability.
Employment: In 2010, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 18 to 64) with disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 49.5 percent overall. Employment rates by island:
- St. Croix Island: 44.0 percent
- St. John Island: 63.5 percent
- St. Thomas Island: 54.8 percent
Poverty: In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2012, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 29.4 percent.
Educational Attainment: In 2012, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands:
- With less than a high school diploma was 49.5 percent
- With only a high school diploma or equivalent was 27.1 percent
- With only some college or an associate degree was 13.3 percent
- With a bachelor's degree or more was 10.1 percent.
Veterans Service-Connected Disability: In 2012, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans with a VA determined service-connected disability was 11.2 percent in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
*Adapted from AFF tables: PBG30, PBG31, PBG32, PCT33, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT38, PCT39, PCT40. See introduction for data source note.
Prevalence: All Ages
Introduction
This section addresses the prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 9.8 percent.
- In other words, in 2010, 10,372 of the 105,433 individuals of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands reported one or more disabilities.
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010, among the six types of disabilities identified in the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Decennial Census, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 5.6 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Self-Care Disability," 1.8 percent.
Prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
Note: Children under the age of five were only asked about Visual and Hearing disabilities. The Independent Living disability question was only asked of persons aged 16 years old and older.
* Adapted from AFF tables: PBG30, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT39. See introduction for data source note.
Prevalence: By Island and Age
Introduction
This section addresses the prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people in the U.S. Virgin Islands by age and island, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In St. Croix in 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages was 10.8 percent (5,398 people with disabilities out of 49,858).
- In St. John in 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages was 7.0 percent (292 people with disabilities out of 4,169).
- In St. Thomas in 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages was 9.1 percent (4,682 people with disabilities out of 51,406).
Prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people by island and age group in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
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.
* Adapted from AFF tables: DP-2. See introduction for data source note.
Prevalence: Ages 17 and under
Introduction
This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized children ages 17 and under in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a disability ages 17 and under in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 2.3 percent.
- In other words, in 2010, 615 of the 26,958 individuals ages 17 and under in the U.S. Virgin Islands reported one or more disabilities.
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010, among the five types of disabilities* identified in the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Decennial Census, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 1.6 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory," 0.4 percent.
Prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people ages 17 and under in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
Note: Children under the age of five were only asked about Visual and Hearing disabilities.
* Adapted from AFF tables: PBG30, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT39. See introduction for data source note.
Prevalence: Ages 18 to 64 years
Introduction
This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 18 to 64) in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working age people (ages 18 to 64) with a disability in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 8.0 percent.
- In other words, in 2010, 5,164 of the 64,168 individuals ages 18 to 64 in the U.S. Virgin Islands reported one or more disabilities.
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010, among the six types of disabilities identified in the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Decennial Census, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 3.7 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was "Self-Care Disability," 1.0 percent.
Prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people ages 18 to 64 in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
* Adapted from AFF tables: PBG30, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT39. See introduction for data source note.
Prevalence: Ages 65 and Older
Introduction
This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people ages 65 and older in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 65 and older in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 32.1 percent.
- In other words, in 2010, 4,593 of the 14,307 individuals ages 65 and older in the U.S. Virgin Islands reported one or more disabilities.
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010, among the six types of disabilities identified in the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Decennial Census, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 21.2 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Self-Care Disability," 7.4 percent.
Prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people ages 65 and older in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
* Adapted from AFF tables: PBG30, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT39. See introduction for data source note.
Prevalence: Gender and Age
Introduction
This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by gender and age group in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of males with a disability of all ages was 9.1 percent.
- In other words, in 2010, 4,585 of the 50,129 males of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands reported one or more disabilities.
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of females with a disability of all ages was 10.5 percent.
- In other words, in 2010, 5,787 of the 55,304 females of all ages in the U.S. Virgin Islands reported one or more disabilities.
Prevalence of disability among civilian non-institutionalized people by gender and age group in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
* Adapted from AFF table PBG30. See introduction for data source note.
Employment
Introduction
This section examines the employment rates of civilian non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 18 to 64) with disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In 2010, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 49.5 percent.
- In 2010, the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 73.6 percent.
- The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities was 24.1 percentage points.
- Among the six types of disabilities identified in the 2010 U.S. VI Decennial Census, the highest employment rate was for people with a "Hearing Disability," 58.8 percent. The lowest employment rate was for people with an "Independent Living Disability," 29.3 percent.
Employment of civilian non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 18 to 64) by disability status in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
* Adapted from AFF tables: PBG31, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT39. See introduction for data source note.
Employment by Island
Introduction
This section examines the employment rates of civilian non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 18 to 64) with disabilities by each island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In St. Croix in 2010, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities was 44.0 percent compared to 68.5 percent for persons without disabilities. The gap between the employment rates was 24.5 percentage points.
- In St. John in 2010, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities was 63.5 percent compared to 82.0 percent for persons without disabilities. The gap between the employment rates was 18.5 percentage points.
- In St. Thomas in 2010, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities was 54.8 percent compared to 77.3 percent for persons without disabilities. The gap between the employment rates was 22.5 percentage points.
Employment of civilian non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 18 to 64) by disability status and island in 2010
* Adapted from AFF tables: PBG31, PCT34, PCT35, PCT36, PCT37, PCT38, PCT39. See introduction for data source note.
Poverty
Introduction
This section examines the poverty rates* of civilian non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 18 to 64) with disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010, the poverty rate of working- age people with disabilities was 29.4 percent compared to 18.3 percent for people without disabilities, a difference of 11.1 percentage points.
- In St. Croix in 2010, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 32.8 percent compared to 20.9 percent for people without disabilities, a difference of 11.9 percentage points.
- In St. John in 2010, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 21.0 percent compared to 14.0 percent for people without disabilities, a difference of 7.0 percentage points.
- In St. Thomas in 2010, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 26.0 percent compared to 16.3 percent for people without disabilities, a difference of 9.7 percentage points.
Poverty rates of civilian non-institutionalized working-age people ages 18 to 64 by disability status in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
Note: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.
* Adapted from AFF table PCT40. See introduction for data source note.
Educational Attainment
Introduction
This section explores the educational attainment of civilian non-institutionalized people ages 25 and older with disabilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Virgin Islands Decennial Census.* For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In 2010, the percentage of people with disabilities ages 25 and older with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 27.1 percent.
- In 2010, the percentage of people without disabilities ages 25 and older with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 31.0 percent.
- In 2010, the percentage of people ages 25 and older with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 13.3 percent.
- In 2010, the percentage of people ages 25 and older without disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 20.1 percent.
- In 2010, the percentage of people ages 25 and older with disabilities with a Bachelor's or higher degree in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 10.1 percent.
- In 2010, the percentage of people ages 25 and older without disabilities with a Bachelor's or higher degree in the U.S. Virgin Islands was 20.7 percent.
Educational attainment of civilian non-institutionalized people ages 25 and older by disability status in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
* Adapted from AFF table PBG32. See introduction for data source note.
Veterans Service-Connected Disability Rating
Introduction
This section presents the percentage of civilian non-institutionalized civilian veterans ages 18 and older reporting a service-connected disability rating in the U.S. Virgin Islands.* The 2010 Decennial Census survey 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 might not report having one of the other six disabilities included in the rest of this report. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.
Quick Statistics
- In 2010, there were 4,346 civilian veterans ages 18 and older in the U.S. Virgin Islands, of whom 485 had a VA service-connected disability.
- In 2010, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans in the U.S. Virgin Islands with a VA service-connected disability was 11.2 percent.
- In 2010, 85 civilian veterans in the U.S. Virgin Islands had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).
- In other words, in 2010, 17.5 percent of the civilian veterans in the U.S. Virgin Islands who had a service connected disability had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).
Disability rating of civilian veterans ages 18 and older with a service-connected disability in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2010
* Adapted from AFF table PBG29. See introduction for data source note.
Glossary
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?
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
- “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
- were “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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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:
- Does this person have a VA service-connected disability rating?
Yes (such as 0%, 10%, 20%, ... , 100%)
No SKIP to question 28a - 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?
About the Disability Status Reports
The contents of the Virgin Islands Disability Status Report were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133 A110020.
The Cornell University Disability Status Report series 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