What is the demographic profile of congress?

Answer 1

Demographic Profile of the 111th Congress

Demographic Categories

House of Representatives

Senate

General Population (2001 stats)

Party Association:

Democrats

256

56

48%

Republicans

178

41

26%

Independents

0

2

26%

Median Age:

57

63

36.6

Gender:

Men

82%

83%

48.6%

Women

18% (78)

17% (17)

51.4%

Education (college)

95% college educated

HR & S combined

36.6%

Religion:

Protestants

59%

53%

56.1%

Catholics

28%

25%

25.9%

Jews

7%

13%

1.4%

Muslims

>1% (1)

0%

0.6%

Other/None

>1%

9%

16%

Ethnicity:

Whites

84%

94%

67%

Hispanics

6% (28)

3% (3)

14.8%

African Americans

10% (41)

1% (1)

13.4%

Asian Americans

>1% (9)

2% (2)

4.4%

Native Americans

>1% (1)

0%

>1%

Military Service:

25% (96)

25% (25)

10% (approximate)

Occupation:

Lawyers

50% (215)

58% (58)

0.5%

Businesspersons

37% (162)

26% (26)

9.9%

Public Officials

20% (109 combined

HR & S)

NA

Educators

19% (82)

14% (14)

4.6%

Length of Service

11 yrs. (5.5 terms)

12.9 yrs. (2.2 terms)

N/A