Statistics
The statistics below reveal some of the inequalities that exist in American society. The Disability Awareness Council wants to see more people with disabilities being regularly employed and earning higher levels of education. For such a significant portion of the national population, people with disabilities receive little attention or support.
- In 2007, the overall percentage of people with a disability ages 5 and older in the US was 14.9 percent.
- In other words, in 2007, 41,306,000 of the 276,758,000 individuals ages 5 and older in the US reported one or more disabilities.
- In 2007, the overall percentage of people with a disability ages 5 and older in NC was 16.7 percent.
- In other words, in 2007, 1,386,000 of the 8,316,000 individuals ages 5 and older in NC reported one or more disabilities.
- In 2007, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the US was 36.9 percent.
- In 2007, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in the US with a bachelor’s degree or more was only 12.5 percent.
- In the US in 2007, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 24.7 percent.
The statistics in the 2007 Disability Status Report are based on American Community Survey (ACS) data — a US Census Bureau survey meant to replace the traditional census form.
Erickson, W., & Lee, C. (2008). 2007 Disability Status Report: North Carolina. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics.