Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

http://aspe.hhs.gov

ASPE

ISSUE BRIEF

OVERVIEW OF THE UNINSURED IN THE UNITED STATES: A SUMMARY OF 

THE 2011 CURRENT POPULATION SURVEY

• The Census Bureau released data on health insurance coverage and the uninsured for 2010 on 

September 13, 2011. Although there are four major government surveys that produce 

estimates of health insurance coverage, the Current Population Survey is the most widely 

cited and receives national media attention. 

• The percentage of people without health insurance in 2010 was not statistically different from 

2009. In 2010, the percentage was 16.3%, compared to 16.1% in 2009. Among the nonelderly, 18.4% of individuals were uninsured in 2010, which is not statistically different from 

the nonelderly uninsured rate of 18.2% in 2009. During 2010, 49.9 million people were 

without insurance. 

• Young adults are the age group least likely to have health insurance. However, 18-24 year 

olds were the only age group to experience a significant increase in the percentage with 

health insurance over the past year, from 70.7% in 2009 to 72.8% in 2010. This is a two 

percentage point increase in the share of adults 18-24 with coverage and represents 500,000 

more young adults with health insurance. The Affordable Care Act allows children to remain 

on their parents’ plans until age 26, and this policy took effect for insurance plan renewals 

beginning on September 23, 2010. Given that the fraction with health coverage was stable or 

decreasing in other groups, the two percentage point increase in share with health coverage 

among 18-24 year olds almost certainly reflects the effects of the extension of dependent 

coverage to age 26. 

• The percentage of children under age 18 without health insurance in 2010 was 9.8%, stable 

from 2009. The uninsured rate for children has decreased significantly from 12.0% in 

1999, due to the substantial expansion of coverage in response to the Children’s Health 

Insurance Program (CHIP).

• Employer-sponsored insurance continues to be the largest source of health insurance 

coverage in 2010, covering 55.3% of the population, a decline from 56.1% in 2009 and 

64.1% in 1999. 

• Uninsured rates for Hispanics (30.7%) and blacks (20.8%) are higher than for non-Hispanic 

whites (11.7%).

The following figures summarize key points about the health insurance coverage 

data released today.
ASPE Issue Brief Page 2

ASPE Office of Health Policy September 13, 2011

OVERALL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

• For calendar year 2010:

o 55.3% of the population was covered by employer-sponsored insurance

o 14.5% of the population was covered by Medicare and 15.9% was covered by 

Medicaid—with some individuals covered by both programs

o 16.3% of the population was uninsured for the entire year

• The percentage of people covered by employer-sponsored insurance declined from 56.1% 

in 2009 to 55.3% in 2010. This continues a steady decline over the past decade, from 

64.1% in 1999. 

HOW MANY AMERICANS ARE UNINSURED?

• The percentage of individuals without health insurance for all of 2010 was 16.3%, 

statistically unchanged from the 16.1% percent in 2009. 

• The number of people without health insurance in 2010 was 49.9 million. 

Sources of Insurance Coverage, 2010

EmployerSponsored 

Insurance

Medicare Medicaid Other Private

Coverage

Military Uninsured

Figure 1

Note: The total does not equal 100% because some people have more than one type of coverage.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, 2011. 
ASPE Issue Brief Page 3

ASPE Office of Health Policy September 13, 2011

WHO ARE THE UNINSURED?

• Age: The uninsured are disproportionately between the ages of 18 and 34. However, 18-

24 year-olds were the only age group to experience a significant decline in the percentage 

without insurance over the past year, from 29.3% in 2009 to 27.2% in 2010, which

represents 500,000 fewer young adults without health insurance. The Affordable Care 

Act allows children to remain on their parents’ plans until age 26, and this policy took 

effect for insurance plan renewals beginning on September 23, 2010.

• Race/Ethnicity: In 2010, three in ten individuals of Hispanic origin (30.7%) were

uninsured. Blacks were also more likely to be uninsured, with 20.8% lacking insurance,

and 18.1% of Asians were uninsured, compared to 11.7% for non-Hispanic whites. 

• Employment: Working full-time increases the likelihood of having insurance, though

one in seven full-time workers (15.0%) was still uninsured. Uninsured rates were higher 

among those with a marginal attachment to the labor force. Over a quarter (28.5%) of 

part-time workers were uninsured, the same percentage as among those who were 

unemployed. 

• Income: Individuals with lower incomes are more likely to be uninsured, although 37% 

of all uninsured Americans have household incomes above $50,000. 

Insurance Trends, 1999-2010

13.6% 16.3%

64.1%

55.3%

10.2%

9.8%

24.2%

31.0%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Figure 2

Notes: Data is for the entire US population. Percentages do not add up to 100% because some people have 

more than one type of coverage. In 2010, the Census Bureau updated its coverage data for current and prior 

years to reflect changes in the methods used to impute health insurance for non-respondents. Government 

insurance includes military coverage.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, 2011.

Employer-Sponsored Insurance

Government Insurance

Uninsured

Other Private Insurance

1999
ASPE Issue Brief Page 4

ASPE Office of Health Policy September 13, 2011

Profile of the Uninsured vs. Total Population 

by Household Income, 2010

Less than $25,000

$25,000-$49,999

50 Million 306 Million

Household 

Income

$50,000-$74,999

$75,000 or more

Figure 3

Note: Totals may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, 2011. 

Profile of the Uninsured vs. Total Population 

by Age, 2010

35-44

25-34

<18

18-24

>=65

45-64

50 Million 306 Million

Age

Figure 4

Note: Totals may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, 2011. 
ASPE Issue Brief Page 5

ASPE Office of Health Policy September 13, 2011

Table 1: Uninsured Rates by Age, Race/Ethnicity and Household Income

Percent of the 

Total

Population

Percent of the 

Uninsured

Uninsured 

Rate

Age Under 18 24.5% 14.6% 9.8%

18-24 9.7% 16.2% 27.2%

25-34 13.6% 23.7% 28.4%

35-44 13.0% 17.4% 21.8%

45-64 26.4% 26.5% 16.3%

65 and older 12.8% 1.6% 2.0%

Race/ 

Ethnicity White 79.5% 74.9% 15.4%

White, NonHispanic64.5% 46.3% 11.7%

Black 12.8% 16.3% 20.8%

Asian 4.7% 5.2% 18.1%

Hispanic (any race) 16.3% 30.7% 30.7%

Household

Income Less than $25,000 19.6% 32.4% 26.9%

$25,000-49,999 23.1% 30.9% 21.8%

$50,000-$74,999 18.7% 17.7% 15.4%

$75,000 more 38.5% 19.0% 8.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, 2011.