U.S. Volunteers More Likely to be Older and Highly Educated

Today the U.S. Census Bureau released volunteering stats for 2012, offering a closer look at the characteristics of American volunteers. Overall, 26.5 percent of the population ages 16 and over volunteered between September 2011 and September 2012, which amounts to 64.5 million people. Other highlights include:

• Women volunteered at a higher rate than men, 29.5 to 23.2 percent.
• Most volunteers (70.2%) were over the age of 34.
• Volunteerism was greater among those with higher education levels.
• The employed were more likely to volunteer than the unemployed.
• Volunteers donated a median time of 50 hours between September 2011 and September 2012.
• The most common types of organizations where volunteering occurred include religious (33.1%); educational or youth service-related (25.5%); and social or community service groups (14.2%).
• The most frequently performed volunteer activities were collecting, preparing, distributing, or serving food (10.9%), and fundraising (10.7%).

You'll find more information on volunteers in the full publication.