Diversity and Demographics of U.S. Congress Members: Age, Gender, Race, Education, and Political Party Affiliation

demograpbics of typical Congressmen

old, white, men

The demographics of typical Congressmen vary depending on factors such as political party, time period, and region. However, some general characteristics can be observed.

Age: The average age of a U.S. Congressman is 58 years old, but there is significant variation based on individual representatives and senators.

Gender: Although women make up almost half of the U.S. population, they are severely underrepresented in Congress. As of 2021, women constitute only 27% of the 117th Congress.

Race and Ethnicity: White individuals have historically made up the majority of Congress, but this has slowly begun to change over the past few decades. As of 2021, the 117th Congress is the most racially and ethnically diverse in U.S. history: 24% of all members are non-white.

Education: Most Congressmen have at least a bachelor’s degree, with many holding advanced degrees in fields such as law, business, and medicine. In fact, more than half of current senators have law degrees.

Occupational Background: Prior to becoming politicians, many Congressmen worked in law, business, or the military. However, there is significant diversity in occupational backgrounds among members of Congress.

Political Party: Party affiliation is perhaps the most influential factor in the demographics of Congress. Republicans and Democrats often have different priorities and candidate selection processes, resulting in different demographic profiles among members of the two parties.

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