2

Technical information: (202) 691-6378

 http://www.bls.gov/cps/

Media contact: 691-5902

USDL 04-2503

For release: 10:00 A.M. EST

Thursday, December 16, 2004

VOLUNTEERING IN THE UNITED STATES, 2004

About 64.5 million people did volunteer work at least once from September 2003 to September 2004,

the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The proportion of the

population who volunteered during the year held steady at 28.8 percent.

These data on volunteering were collected through a supplement to the September 2004 Current Population Survey (CPS). Volunteers are defined as persons who did unpaid work (except for expenses) through

or for an organization. The CPS is a monthly survey of about 60,000 households that obtains information on

employment and unemployment among the nation’s civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over. For

more information about the volunteer supplement, see the Technical Note.

Volunteering Among Demographic Groups

About 64.5 million persons, or 28.8 percent of the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over,

volunteered through or for organizations at least once from September 2003 to September 2004. Onefourth of men and about one-third of women did volunteer work in the year ended in September 2004,

about the same proportions as in the prior year. Women volunteered at a higher rate than men across age

groups, education levels, and other major characteristics. (See tables A and 1.)

Among the different age groups, persons age 35 to 44 were the most likely to volunteer, closely followed by 45- to 54-year olds and 55- to 64-year olds. The volunteer rates for these age groups were 34.2

percent, 32.8 percent, and 30.1 percent, respectively. Teenagers also had a relatively high volunteer rate,

29.4 percent, perhaps reflecting an emphasis on volunteer activities in schools. Volunteer rates were lowest

among persons in their early twenties (20.0 percent) and among those age 65 and over (24.6 percent).

Within the latter group, volunteer rates decreased as age increased.

Parents with children under age 18 were more likely to volunteer than persons without children of that

age, 36.9 percent compared with 25.4 percent. Married persons volunteered at a higher rate (33.9 percent) than never married persons (23.2 percent) and persons of other marital statuses (22.9 percent).

Whites volunteered at a higher rate (30.5 percent) than did blacks (20.8 percent) and Asians (19.3 percent). Among Hispanics or Latinos, 14.5 percent volunteered.

Among employed persons, 31.2 percent had volunteered during the year ended in September 2004. By

comparison, the volunteer rates of persons who were unemployed (25.6 percent) or not in the labor force
Table A. Volunteers by selected characteristics, September 2002, 2003, and 2004

(Numbers in thousands)

 Sex

Total, both sexes............................................................ 59,783 27.4 63,791 28.8 64,542 28.8

 Men........................................................................ 24,706 23.6 26,805 25.1 27,011 25.0

 Women...................................................................... 35,076 31.0 36,987 32.2 37,530 32.4

Age

Total, 16 years and over............................... 59,783 27.4 63,791 28.8 64,542 28.8

 16 to 24 years............................................................. 7,742 21.9 8,671 24.1 8,821 24.2

 25 to 34 years............................................................. 9,574 24.8 10,337 26.5 10,046 25.8

 35 to 44 years............................................................. 14,971 34.1 15,165 34.7 14,783 34.2

 45 to 54 years............................................................. 12,477 31.3 13,302 32.7 13,584 32.8

 55 to 64 years............................................................. 7,331 27.5 8,170 29.2 8,784 30.1

 65 years and over.......................................................... 7,687 22.7 8,146 23.7 8,524 24.6

Race and Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity

White 1....................................................................... 52,591 29.2 55,572 30.6 55,892 30.5

Black or African American 1.................................4,896 19.1 5,145 20.0 5,435 20.8

Asian 1....................................................................... (2) (2) 1,735 18.7 1,832 19.3

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity................................4,059 15.5 4,364 15.7 4,102 14.5

Educational attainment 3

Less than a high school diploma....................... 2,806 10.1 2,793 9.9 2,718 9.6

High school graduates, no college 4...................12,542 21.2 12,882 21.7 12,709 21.6

Less than a bachelor's degree 5...................... 15,066 32.8 15,966 34.1 16,414 34.2

College graduates........................................................... 21,627 43.3 23,481 45.6 23,880 45.7

Employment status

Civilian labor force........................................................ 42,773 29.3 45,499 30.9 45,896 30.9

 Employed.................................................................. 40,742 29.5 43,138 31.2 43,886 31.2

 Full time 6........................................................ 32,210 28.3 33,599 29.6 34,237 29.6

 Part time 7............................................................ 8,532 35.4 9,539 38.4 9,649 38.5

 Unemployed................................................................ 2,031 25.1 2,361 26.7 2,010 25.6

Not in the labor force...................................................... 17,010 23.7 18,293 24.6 18,646 24.7

 1 Beginning in 2003, persons who selected this race group only; persons who selected more than one race group are not included.

Prior to 2003, persons who reported more than one race group were included in the group they identified as their main race.

 2 Data for Asians were not tabulated in 2002.

 3 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.

 

4

 Includes high school diploma or equivalent.

 

5

 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.

 

6

 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.

 

7

 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not 

presented for all races. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are 

classified by ethnicity as well as by race. Due to the introduction of revised population controls in January 2003 and January 2004, 

estimated levels for 2003 and 2004 are not strictly comparable with each other or with those for 2002. See the Technical Note for 

further information.

Number Percent of 

population

2

September 2004

Number Percent of 

population

Characteristic

September 2003

Number Percent of 

population

September 2002
3

(24.7 percent) were lower. Among the employed, part-time workers were more likely than full-time workers

to have participated in volunteer activities—38.5 versus 29.6 percent.

Total Annual Hours Spent Volunteering

Volunteers spent a median of 52 hours on volunteer activities during the period from September 2003

to September 2004, unchanged from the previous two survey periods. Men spent 52 hours (median) doing

volunteer work, the same as in the previous two periods. Women spent 50 hours volunteering, down from

52 hours in each of the previous periods. Median annual hours spent on volunteer activities ranged from 96

hours for volunteers age 65 and over to 36 hours for those 20 to 24 years old. (See table 2.)

Number and Type of Organizations

Most volunteers were involved with one or two organizations—69.6 and 19.2 percent, respectively.

Individuals with higher educational attainment were more likely to volunteer for multiple organizations than

were individuals with less education. (See table 3.)

The main organization—the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year—

was most frequently either religious (34.4 percent of all volunteers) or educational/youth service related (27.0

percent). Another 12.4 percent of volunteers performed activities mainly for social or community service organizations, and 7.5 percent volunteered most of their hours for hospitals or other health organizations. (See

table 4.)

Older volunteers were more likely to work mainly for religious organizations than were their younger

counterparts. For example, 45.2 percent of volunteers age 65 and over performed volunteer activities

mainly through or for a religious organization, compared with 28.5 percent of volunteers age 16 to 24 years.

Younger individuals were more likely to volunteer through or for educational or youth service organizations.

Among volunteers with children under 18 years, 47.0 percent of mothers and 37.8 percent of fathers

volunteered mainly for an educational/youth-service related organization, such as a school or sports team.

Parents were more than twice as likely to volunteer for such organizations as persons with no children of

that age. Conversely, volunteers with no children under 18 were considerably more likely to volunteer for

some other types of organizations, such as social or community service organizations.

Volunteer Activities for Main Organization

Among the more commonly reported volunteer activities (volunteers could report more than one activity)

were fundraising or selling items to raise money (29.5 percent); coaching, refereeing, tutoring, or teaching

(27.8 percent); collecting, preparing, distributing, or serving food (26.4 percent); engaging in general labor

(24.4 percent); and providing information, which would include being an usher, greeter, or minister (22.7 percent). (See table 5.)

Some demographic groups were more likely to engage in certain activities than were others. For example, parents of children under the age of 18 were much more likely to coach, referee, tutor, or teach than

were persons with no children of that age. College graduates were more than three times as likely as people

with less than a high school diploma to provide professional or management assistance.

How Volunteers Become Involved with Their Main Organization

Two in five volunteers became involved with the main organization for which they did volunteer work of

their own volition; that is, they approached the organization. About 42 percent were asked to become a volunteer, most often by someone in the organization. (See table 6.)
4

Reasons for Not Volunteering

Among those who had volunteered at some point in the past, the most common reason given for not volunteering in the year ended September 2004 was lack of time (45.0 percent), followed by health or medical

problems (14.4 percent), and family responsibilities or childcare problems (9.1 percent). Lack of time was

the most common reason for persons in all age groups except those age 65 and over, who reported health or

medical problems as the primary reason. (See table 7.)
Technical Note

The data in this release were collected through a supplement to the September 2004 Current Population Survey

(CPS). The CPS—a monthly survey of about 60,000 households

conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor

Statistics—focuses on obtaining information on employment

and unemployment among the nation’s civilian noninstitutional

population age 16 and over. The purpose of this supplement

to the CPS was to obtain information on the incidence of

volunteering and the characteristics of volunteers in the United

States.

In January 2003 and January 2004, the Census Bureau

introduced significant adjustments to the population controls

for the CPS as part of its annual update of population estimates.

The 2003 adjustment resulted in an increase to the estimates for

all population categories. This increase was partly offset by

a downward adjustment in 2004. Consequently, estimated

levels of volunteers for September 2003 and September 2004 are

not strictly comparable with one another, or with estimated

levels for September 2002. These adjustments to the levels,

however, should have had only negligible effects on the

volunteer rate. In addition to the population control

adjustments, new questions on race and ethnicity were

introduced into the CPS in January 2003. For a discussion of

the changes introduced into the CPS in January 2003, see

“Revisions to the Current Population Survey Effective in

January 2003” in the February 2003 issue of Employment and

Earnings and available at http://www.bls.gov/cps/rvcps03.pdf

on the BLS Web site. For a discussion of the changes

introduced in January 2004, see “Adjustments to Household

Survey Population Estimates in January 2004,” in the February

2004 issue of Employment and Earnings, also available on the

BLS Web site at http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps04adj.pdf.

Information in this release will be made available to sensoryimpaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200;

TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339.

Reliability of the estimates

Statistics based on the CPS are subject to both sampling

and nonsampling error. When a sample, rather than the entire

population, is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample

estimates may differ from the "true" population values they

represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies

depending on the particular sample selected, and this

variability is measured by the standard error of the estimate.

There is about a 90-percent chance, or level of confidence, that

an estimate based on a sample will differ by no more than 1.6

standard errors from the "true" population value because of

sampling error. BLS analyses are generally conducted at the

90-percent level of confidence.

The CPS data also are affected by nonsampling error.

Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including the

failure to sample a segment of the population, inability to obtain

information for all respondents in the sample, inability or

unwillingness of respondents to provide correct information,

and errors made in the collection or processing of the data.

For a full discussion of the reliability of data from the CPS

and for information on estimating standard errors, see the

"Explanatory Notes and Estimates of Error" section of

Employment and Earnings.

Volunteer questions and concepts

In the September 2004 supplement, questions on volunteer

activities were asked of all households. Efforts were made to

have household members answer the volunteer questions for

themselves. (Generally, one member of the household answers

all the questions in the CPS.) Self response was considered

important for the volunteer supplement because research

indicated that self respondents could more easily answer

questions on the characteristics of the volunteer activity.

About 70 percent of the responses were self reports.

The survey was introduced as follows: "This month, we are

interested in volunteer activities, that is, activities for which

people are not paid, except perhaps expenses. We only want

you to include volunteer activities that you did through or for

an organization, even if you only did them once in a while."

Following this introduction, respondents were asked the

first supplement question: "Since September 1st of last year,

have you done any volunteer activities through or for an

organization?"

If respondents did not answer "yes" to the first question,

they were asked the following question: "Sometimes people

don’t think of activities they do infrequently or activities they

do for children’s schools or youth organizations as volunteer

activities. Since September 1st of last year, have you done any

of these types of volunteer activities?"

Respondents were considered volunteers if they answered

"yes" to either of these questions.

Respondents thus classified as volunteers were asked

further questions about the number and type of organizations

for which they volunteered, total hours spent volunteering,

how they became involved with the main organization for which

they volunteered, and the type of activities they performed for

the main organization. Non-volunteers were asked about why

they didn't volunteer and if they had ever volunteered.

The reference period for the questions on volunteering was

about 1 year, from September 1, 2003, through the survey week

in September 2004. The reference period for other characteristics,

such as labor force status, educational attainment, and marital

status, refer to the survey reference week in September 2004. It

is possible that these characteristics were different at the time

volunteer activities were performed.
Definitions

Volunteers are persons who performed unpaid volunteer

activities at any point from September 1, 2003, through the

survey period in September 2004. The count of volunteers only

includes persons who volunteered through or for an

organization; the figures do not include persons who

volunteered in a more informal manner. For example, a woman

who teaches acting to children through a local theater would

be considered a volunteer. A woman who, on her own, organizes

softball games for the children in her neighborhood would not

be counted as a volunteer for the purpose of this survey.

Organizations are associations, societies, or groups of

people who share a common interest. Examples include

churches, youth groups, and civic organizations. For the

purpose of this study, organizations are classified into eight

major categories, including religious, youth, and social or

community service organizations. (See table 4.)

The main organization is the organization for which the

volunteer worked the most hours during the year. If a respondent

volunteered for only one organization, it was considered the main

organization, even if exact hours were not obtained.

In order to identify the type of main organization,

respondents had to provide information about the organization and, for those who volunteered for more than one

organization, annual hours worked for each. Some

respondents did not provide the information necessary to

determine the type of main organization. For these

respondents, the follow-up questions on activities and how

they became involved with the main organization asked them

to report on the organization for which they think they spent

the most time volunteering.
Table 1. Volunteers by selected characteristics, September 2004

(Numbers in thousands)

Characteristics in September 2004

Total, both sexes Men Women

Civilian

noninstitutional

population

Volunteers Civilian

noninstitutional

population

Volunteers Civilian

noninstitutional

population

Volunteers

Number Percent of

population Number Percent ofpopulation Number Percent ofpopulation

Age

Total, 16 years and over ........................... 223,941 64,542 28.8 108,020 27,011 25.0 115,921 37,530 32.4

 16 to 24 years ......................................... 36,475 8,821 24.2 18,390 3,799 20.7 18,085 5,022 27.8

 16 to 19 years ...................................... 16,246 4,774 29.4 8,245 2,072 25.1 8,001 2,702 33.8

 20 to 24 years ...................................... 20,229 4,047 20.0 10,146 1,727 17.0 10,084 2,320 23.0

 25 years and over ................................... 187,466 55,720 29.7 89,630 23,212 25.9 97,836 32,508 33.2

 25 to 34 years ...................................... 38,976 10,046 25.8 19,383 3,956 20.4 19,593 6,090 31.1

 35 to 44 years ...................................... 43,169 14,783 34.2 21,232 6,068 28.6 21,936 8,714 39.7

 45 to 54 years ...................................... 41,442 13,584 32.8 20,255 5,917 29.2 21,187 7,667 36.2

 55 to 64 years ...................................... 29,207 8,784 30.1 14,033 3,869 27.6 15,173 4,915 32.4

 65 years and over ................................ 34,673 8,524 24.6 14,727 3,402 23.1 19,946 5,122 25.7

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ........................................................ 183,022 55,892 30.5 89,252 23,687 26.5 93,770 32,205 34.3

Black or African American ........................ 26,163 5,435 20.8 11,705 1,957 16.7 14,458 3,478 24.1

Asian ......................................................... 9,506 1,832 19.3 4,523 765 16.9 4,983 1,067 21.4

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ....................... 28,338 4,102 14.5 14,539 1,629 11.2 13,798 2,474 17.9

Educational attainment 1

Less than a high school diploma .............. 28,181 2,718 9.6 13,721 1,063 7.7 14,460 1,654 11.4

High school graduates, no college 2 ......... 58,959 12,709 21.6 27,663 5,001 18.1 31,296 7,708 24.6

Less than a bachelor’s degree 3 ............... 48,034 16,414 34.2 21,735 6,413 29.5 26,298 10,001 38.0

College graduates .................................... 52,292 23,880 45.7 26,510 10,735 40.5 25,782 13,145 51.0

Marital status

Single, never married ............................... 60,910 14,126 23.2 32,538 6,203 19.1 28,371 7,923 27.9

Married, spouse present ........................... 119,057 40,346 33.9 60,132 18,044 30.0 58,925 22,302 37.8

Other marital status 4 ................................ 43,974 10,070 22.9 15,350 2,764 18.0 28,625 7,306 25.5

Presence of own children

under 18 years 5

Without own children under 18 ................. 157,646 40,082 25.4 78,381 17,269 22.0 79,264 22,812 28.8

With own children under 18 ...................... 66,295 24,460 36.9 29,639 9,742 32.9 36,657 14,718 40.2

Employment status

Civilian labor force .................................... 148,496 45,896 30.9 79,490 21,354 26.9 69,006 24,542 35.6

 Employed ................................................ 140,643 43,886 31.2 75,339 20,405 27.1 65,303 23,481 36.0

 Full time 6 ............................................. 115,607 34,237 29.6 67,009 17,935 26.8 48,598 16,302 33.5

 Part time 7 ............................................. 25,036 9,649 38.5 8,330 2,470 29.7 16,706 7,179 43.0

 Unemployed ........................................... 7,853 2,010 25.6 4,151 948 22.9 3,702 1,061 28.7

Not in the labor force ................................ 75,445 18,646 24.7 28,530 5,658 19.8 46,915 12,988 27.7

1 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 2 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 3 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 4 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons. 5 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. 

Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated

children. 6 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.

7 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer

activities for an organization at any point from September 1, 2003, through the

survey period in September 2004. Estimates for the above race groups (white,

black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not

presented for all races. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as

Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity

as well as by race.
Table 2. Volunteers by annual hours of volunteer activities and selected characteristics, September 2004

Characteristics in September 2004

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of total annual hours spent volunteering at all

organizations

Median

annual

hours 1

Total 1 to 14

hour(s)

15 to 49

hours

50 to 99

hours

100 to

499 hours

500 hours

and over

Not

reporting

annual

hours

Sex

Total, both sexes ...................................... 64,542 100.0 21.3 24.3 15.0 28.1 5.7 5.7 52

 Men ......................................................... 27,011 100.0 19.8 24.5 15.1 28.4 6.2 6.0 52

 Women ................................................... 37,530 100.0 22.3 24.1 15.0 27.9 5.3 5.5 50

Age

Total, 16 years and over ........................... 64,542 100.0 21.3 24.3 15.0 28.1 5.7 5.7 52

 16 to 24 years ......................................... 8,821 100.0 24.4 29.7 14.6 21.4 2.9 6.9 36

 16 to 19 years ...................................... 4,774 100.0 23.8 29.7 15.2 21.9 2.6 6.7 39

 20 to 24 years ...................................... 4,047 100.0 25.2 29.7 13.8 20.8 3.3 7.2 36

 25 years and over ................................... 55,720 100.0 20.8 23.4 15.1 29.2 6.1 5.5 52

 25 to 34 years ...................................... 10,046 100.0 26.9 25.9 14.0 23.2 4.4 5.5 40

 35 to 44 years ...................................... 14,783 100.0 23.0 23.6 15.2 28.9 4.7 4.5 51

 45 to 54 years ...................................... 13,584 100.0 19.9 25.0 15.2 29.3 5.7 4.9 52

 55 to 64 years ...................................... 8,784 100.0 17.6 22.1 16.8 29.8 7.5 6.2 60

 65 years and over ................................ 8,524 100.0 14.2 18.7 14.2 35.7 9.8 7.4 96

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ........................................................ 55,892 100.0 21.2 24.5 15.3 28.2 5.6 5.3 52

Black or African American ........................ 5,435 100.0 20.7 21.4 12.1 29.1 7.7 9.0 56

Asian ......................................................... 1,832 100.0 25.3 24.2 15.2 23.4 3.8 8.0 40

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ....................... 4,102 100.0 23.9 25.5 12.6 27.3 5.0 5.7 48

Educational attainment 2

Less than a high school diploma .............. 2,718 100.0 24.4 24.9 10.2 26.5 5.8 8.3 40

High school graduates, no college 3 ......... 12,709 100.0 22.4 23.4 14.4 26.6 6.5 6.7 50

Less than a bachelor’s degree 4 ............... 16,414 100.0 22.3 22.8 14.6 29.4 6.1 4.8 52

College graduates .................................... 23,880 100.0 18.4 23.6 16.3 30.6 5.9 5.0 60

Marital status

Single, never married ............................... 14,126 100.0 24.0 27.3 14.7 22.8 4.1 7.1 40

Married, spouse present ........................... 40,346 100.0 20.2 23.5 15.4 29.8 6.0 5.1 52

Other marital status 5 ................................ 10,070 100.0 21.5 23.0 13.8 28.9 6.6 6.2 52

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 6

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old ....... 17,269 100.0 19.4 24.6 14.7 27.7 7.1 6.6 52

 With own children under 18 years old .... 9,742 100.0 20.6 24.3 15.8 29.7 4.8 4.8 52

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old ....... 22,812 100.0 21.3 24.0 14.4 28.3 5.9 6.1 52

 With own children under 18 years old .... 14,718 100.0 23.8 24.2 15.9 27.2 4.3 4.6 48

Employment status

Civilian labor force .................................... 45,896 100.0 22.6 25.4 15.0 26.9 4.7 5.5 48

 Employed ................................................ 43,886 100.0 22.6 25.3 15.0 26.9 4.7 5.5 48

 Full time 7 ............................................. 34,237 100.0 23.0 25.2 15.1 26.7 4.5 5.6 48

 Part time 8 ............................................. 9,649 100.0 20.9 25.9 14.9 27.7 5.4 5.2 50

 Unemployed ........................................... 2,010 100.0 23.5 26.4 14.4 25.5 4.7 5.6 46

Not in the labor force ................................ 18,646 100.0 17.9 21.5 15.0 31.2 8.2 6.3 64

1 For those reporting annual hours. 2 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 3 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 4 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 5 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons. 6 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. 

Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and

unrelated children. 7 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.

8 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer

activities for an organization at any point from September 1, 2003, through the

survey period in September 2004. Estimates for the above race groups (white,

black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not

presented for all races. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as

Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity

as well as by race.
Table 3. Volunteers by number of organizations for which volunteer activities were performed and selected

characteristics, September 2004

Characteristics in September 2004

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of the number of organizations for which

volunteer activities were performed

Total One Two Three Four

Five

or

more

Not reporting

number of

organizations

Sex

Total, both sexes .................................................................................... 64,542 100.0 69.6 19.2 7.0 2.4 1.5 0.3

 Men ...................................................................................................... 27,011 100.0 71.1 18.2 6.8 2.3 1.3 .3

 Women ................................................................................................. 37,530 100.0 68.5 19.9 7.1 2.6 1.6 .3

Age

Total, 16 years and over ........................................................................ 64,542 100.0 69.6 19.2 7.0 2.4 1.5 .3

 16 to 24 years ...................................................................................... 8,821 100.0 77.3 16.0 3.9 1.4 .8 .5

 16 to 19 years ................................................................................... 4,774 100.0 75.2 17.5 4.2 1.4 1.1 .7

 20 to 24 years ................................................................................... 4,047 100.0 79.8 14.4 3.6 1.4 .5 .3

 25 years and over ................................................................................ 55,720 100.0 68.4 19.7 7.5 2.6 1.6 .2

 25 to 34 years ................................................................................... 10,046 100.0 74.3 17.4 5.5 1.6 1.0 .2

 35 to 44 years ................................................................................... 14,783 100.0 65.5 21.2 8.4 3.1 1.5 .3

 45 to 54 years ................................................................................... 13,584 100.0 65.9 20.9 8.5 2.5 1.9 .2

 55 to 64 years ................................................................................... 8,784 100.0 68.5 18.8 7.8 3.0 1.7 .3

 65 years and over ............................................................................. 8,524 100.0 70.2 18.7 6.3 2.8 1.8 .1

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ...................................................................................................... 55,892 100.0 68.4 19.9 7.4 2.6 1.5 .2

Black or African American ...................................................................... 5,435 100.0 77.2 15.4 4.0 1.5 1.4 .4

Asian ...................................................................................................... 1,832 100.0 80.8 11.6 5.7 1.1 .4 .3

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity .................................................................... 4,102 100.0 80.8 12.6 4.6 .7 .8 .6

Educational attainment 1

Less than a high school diploma ............................................................ 2,718 100.0 88.2 8.1 2.3 .5 .8 –

High school graduates, no college 2 ...................................................... 12,709 100.0 78.0 15.6 4.2 1.4 .6 .2

Less than a bachelor’s degree 3 ............................................................ 16,414 100.0 69.8 19.4 7.1 2.3 1.2 .2

College graduates .................................................................................. 23,880 100.0 60.1 23.4 10.1 3.7 2.5 .3

Marital status

Single, never married ............................................................................. 14,126 100.0 74.4 17.1 5.3 1.6 1.2 .5

Married, spouse present ........................................................................ 40,346 100.0 67.6 20.2 7.6 2.7 1.6 .2

Other marital status 4 ............................................................................. 10,070 100.0 70.9 18.1 6.8 2.4 1.5 .3

Presence of own children under 18 years 5

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .................................................... 17,269 100.0 72.4 17.5 6.3 2.2 1.2 .3

 With own children under 18 years old .................................................. 9,742 100.0 68.7 19.5 7.6 2.4 1.6 .2

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .................................................... 22,812 100.0 70.9 18.4 6.4 2.4 1.6 .3

 With own children under 18 years old .................................................. 14,718 100.0 64.9 22.1 8.4 2.7 1.7 .2

Employment status

Civilian labor force ................................................................................. 45,896 100.0 69.1 19.4 7.2 2.5 1.5 .3

 Employed ............................................................................................. 43,886 100.0 68.8 19.6 7.3 2.5 1.5 .3

 Full time 6 ........................................................................................... 34,237 100.0 69.0 19.6 7.1 2.4 1.5 .3

 Part time 7 .......................................................................................... 9,649 100.0 68.1 19.4 7.6 2.9 1.7 .2

 Unemployed ......................................................................................... 2,010 100.0 75.4 15.4 6.3 1.5 1.1 .2

Not in the labor force .............................................................................. 18,646 100.0 70.8 18.7 6.5 2.4 1.5 .2

1 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 2 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 3 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 4 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons. 5 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. 

Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and

unrelated children. 6 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.

7 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer

activities for an organization at any point from September 1, 2003, through the

survey period in September 2004. Estimates for the above race groups (white,

black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not

presented for all races. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as

Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity

as well as by race. Dash represents or rounds to zero.
Table 4. Volunteers by type of main organization for which volunteer activities were performed and selected

characteristics, September 2004

Characteristics in September 2004

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of volunteers by type of main organization 1

Total

Civic, political,

professional,

or international

Educational or

youth

service

Environmental or

animal

care

Hospital

or other

health

Public

safety Religious

Social or

community

service

Sport,

hobby,

cultural,

or arts

Other Not determined

Sex

Total, both sexes .................................. 64,542 100.0 7.0 27.0 1.7 7.5 1.5 34.4 12.4 3.6 3.3 1.6

 Men ............................................... 27,011 100.0 9.0 24.8 1.7 5.4 2.7 33.3 12.9 4.7 3.9 1.6

 Women ........................................... 37,530 100.0 5.5 28.5 1.6 9.1 .7 35.2 12.1 2.9 2.9 1.6

Age

Total, 16 years and over ......................... 64,542 100.0 7.0 27.0 1.7 7.5 1.5 34.4 12.4 3.6 3.3 1.6

 16 to 24 years .................................... 8,821 100.0 5.5 32.4 1.5 8.6 1.7 28.5 13.0 3.4 3.2 2.2

 16 to 19 years ................................. 4,774 100.0 4.4 34.9 1.4 6.9 1.2 31.3 11.5 3.5 2.6 2.4

 20 to 24 years ................................. 4,047 100.0 6.7 29.5 1.7 10.7 2.3 25.2 14.7 3.3 4.0 1.9

 25 years and over ............................... 55,720 100.0 7.2 26.1 1.7 7.4 1.5 35.3 12.4 3.7 3.3 1.5

 25 to 34 years ................................. 10,046 100.0 5.5 34.1 2.4 6.4 2.2 30.4 11.1 2.8 3.8 1.4

 35 to 44 years ................................. 14,783 100.0 5.3 39.8 1.4 5.5 1.4 30.5 9.0 3.4 2.4 1.4

 45 to 54 years ................................. 13,584 100.0 8.1 26.0 1.5 6.9 1.4 35.3 12.3 4.2 2.9 1.3

 55 to 64 years ................................. 8,784 100.0 9.3 13.2 2.0 8.9 1.5 39.6 15.0 4.3 4.2 1.9

 65 years and over ............................. 8,524 100.0 8.7 6.4 1.4 10.9 1.1 45.2 16.9 3.6 4.3 1.6

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ............................................... 55,892 100.0 7.2 26.8 1.8 7.9 1.6 33.5 12.5 3.7 3.4 1.5

Black or African American ....................... 5,435 100.0 5.2 27.1 .2 5.0 .6 45.6 10.7 1.6 1.9 2.1

Asian ............................................... 1,832 100.0 4.3 29.0 .7 6.8 .4 34.2 15.2 5.1 2.1 2.1

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ...................... 4,102 100.0 5.4 35.2 1.1 6.3 1.1 31.8 10.6 2.7 4.3 1.5

Educational attainment 2

Less than a high school diploma ................ 2,718 100.0 5.5 23.9 .6 4.4 1.9 46.0 11.0 1.4 4.1 1.0

High school graduates, no college 3 ............ 12,709 100.0 6.8 23.5 1.3 7.6 2.3 38.5 12.3 3.0 3.3 1.5

Less than a bachelor’s degree 4 ................ 16,414 100.0 6.6 27.3 1.7 7.6 1.7 34.9 12.3 3.3 3.3 1.3

College graduates ................................ 23,880 100.0 8.0 26.9 2.0 7.5 .9 32.8 12.6 4.5 3.3 1.7

Marital status

Single, never married ............................. 14,126 100.0 6.7 28.9 2.3 8.8 1.7 27.2 14.3 4.0 4.1 2.1

Married, spouse present ......................... 40,346 100.0 6.8 27.7 1.4 6.4 1.6 37.3 11.1 3.5 2.8 1.4

Other marital status 5 ............................. 10,070 100.0 7.8 21.3 1.7 10.5 1.0 32.7 15.1 3.7 4.4 1.6

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 6

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .......... 17,269 100.0 10.1 17.5 2.1 6.8 2.8 33.8 15.3 4.8 5.1 1.7

 With own children under 18 years old ........ 9,742 100.0 7.2 37.8 1.0 3.0 2.6 32.3 8.5 4.6 1.7 1.3

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .......... 22,812 100.0 7.0 16.5 2.2 12.0 .8 37.5 15.3 3.4 3.4 1.8

 With own children under 18 years old ........ 14,718 100.0 3.1 47.0 .7 4.6 .5 31.6 7.2 2.0 2.1 1.2

Employment status

Civilian labor force ................................ 45,896 100.0 7.2 28.8 1.8 7.2 1.7 32.8 12.0 3.9 3.1 1.6

 Employed ......................................... 43,886 100.0 7.2 28.4 1.7 7.3 1.7 33.1 11.9 4.0 3.1 1.6

 Full time 7 ....................................... 34,237 100.0 7.9 27.6 1.8 7.2 2.0 32.7 12.0 4.0 3.1 1.7

 Part time 8 ...................................... 9,649 100.0 4.9 31.2 1.5 7.4 .8 34.6 11.5 3.8 3.3 1.1

 Unemployed ...................................... 2,010 100.0 7.1 36.3 2.2 4.9 1.8 24.8 15.4 2.9 3.0 1.5

Not in the labor force ............................. 18,646 100.0 6.3 22.5 1.4 8.5 1.1 38.4 13.5 2.8 3.8 1.6

1 Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the

most hours during the year. See the Technical Note for more details. 2 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 3 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 4 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 5 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons. 6 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not

included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.

7 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs. 8 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for

an organization at any point from September 1, 2003, through the survey period in September

2004. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do

not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. In addition, persons whose

ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by

ethnicity as well as by race.
Table 5. Volunteer activities for main organization for which activities were performed and selected characteristics, 

September 2004

Characteristics in September 2004

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of volunteer activities for main organization 1

Coach,

referee,

tutor, or

teach

Provide

information;

be an

usher,

greeter,

or

minister

Collect,

prepare,

distribute,

or serve

food

Collect,

make, or

distribute

clothing,

crafts, or

goods,

other

than food

Fundraise or

sell

items to

raise

money

Provide

counseling,

medical

care, fire/

EMS or

protective

services

Supply

transportation for

people

Provide

general

office

services

Provide

professional or

management

assistance

including

serving on

a board or

committee

Engage

in music,

performance, or

other

artistic

activities

Engage

in

general

labor

Other

Not

reporting type

of

activity

Sex

Total, both sexes ........................... 64,542 27.8 22.7 26.4 15.3 29.5 8.9 12.7 14.2 18.9 12.3 24.4 14.8 1.8

 Men ......................................... 27,011 29.8 23.7 21.1 10.7 26.2 10.4 13.1 10.5 21.5 10.7 29.7 13.9 1.6

 Women ..................................... 37,530 26.3 22.0 30.3 18.7 31.8 7.9 12.5 16.8 17.0 13.5 20.5 15.5 1.8

Age

Total, 16 years and over .................. 64,542 27.8 22.7 26.4 15.3 29.5 8.9 12.7 14.2 18.9 12.3 24.4 14.8 1.8

 16 to 24 years ............................. 8,821 30.3 20.3 23.7 14.9 25.9 7.9 7.1 11.8 5.5 16.9 29.2 14.7 2.8

 16 to 19 years ........................... 4,774 29.9 20.9 26.1 16.7 26.9 6.3 5.8 11.3 4.5 18.3 31.0 13.7 3.0

 20 to 24 years ........................... 4,047 30.7 19.6 20.9 12.9 24.7 9.8 8.6 12.3 6.6 15.2 27.1 15.9 2.7

 25 years and over ........................ 55,720 27.4 23.1 26.9 15.4 30.0 9.1 13.6 14.5 21.0 11.6 23.6 14.8 1.6

 25 to 34 years ........................... 10,046 34.1 18.3 22.9 14.8 27.6 9.5 11.7 12.1 13.0 12.6 22.2 15.9 1.9

 35 to 44 years ........................... 14,783 34.6 20.6 26.5 15.3 35.1 8.2 15.7 14.4 19.7 12.3 25.6 13.5 1.4

 45 to 54 years ........................... 13,584 27.7 25.0 28.5 15.7 32.0 9.8 14.6 14.6 23.6 12.1 25.8 13.2 1.6

 55 to 64 years ........................... 8,784 20.9 26.8 27.4 14.9 27.6 10.6 12.5 15.3 27.0 10.4 22.9 14.8 1.3

 65 years and over ...................... 8,524 13.0 26.2 29.0 16.2 23.5 7.4 12.0 16.7 22.3 9.9 19.0 18.7 1.7

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ......................................... 55,892 27.7 22.3 26.1 15.1 30.4 8.7 12.5 14.0 19.6 11.9 24.7 14.9 1.6

Black or African American ................ 5,435 31.2 28.3 31.6 18.3 22.2 11.5 16.0 16.1 15.4 17.2 21.5 13.4 2.4

Asian ......................................... 1,832 24.7 18.2 23.2 9.8 23.7 9.2 8.5 12.4 10.8 9.6 19.9 15.2 3.0

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ............... 4,102 28.2 18.8 24.5 14.6 26.5 8.8 10.8 12.2 8.0 9.1 19.0 20.2 2.0

Educational attainment 2

Less than a high school diploma ......... 2,718 15.5 17.9 32.0 16.3 20.5 5.1 8.3 8.7 8.4 7.3 25.1 18.5 1.5

High school graduates, no college 3 ..... 12,709 21.7 21.4 30.8 15.9 29.3 7.3 14.5 12.2 14.0 10.3 24.9 17.2 1.6

Less than a bachelor’s degree 4 ......... 16,414 27.1 24.1 29.3 16.8 31.7 9.0 15.8 15.8 19.6 12.4 25.7 14.2 1.4

College graduates .......................... 23,880 31.9 23.9 22.5 14.1 30.3 10.5 12.3 15.6 27.1 12.3 21.3 13.6 1.7

Marital status

Single, never married ...................... 14,126 28.2 20.2 21.7 13.8 25.6 8.6 8.0 12.4 9.9 14.9 25.7 15.8 2.5

Married, spouse present .................. 40,346 29.4 23.7 27.7 15.6 31.0 9.0 14.4 14.6 22.4 11.9 24.8 14.1 1.5

Other marital status 5 ...................... 10,070 20.8 22.2 27.9 16.3 28.9 8.9 12.6 14.8 17.3 10.4 20.8 16.3 1.8

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 6

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .... 17,269 23.7 24.6 21.6 10.6 24.2 10.6 11.2 10.9 21.0 11.4 29.8 15.2 1.7

 With own children under 18 years old .. 9,742 40.6 22.0 20.2 10.8 29.9 10.0 16.6 9.8 22.5 9.6 29.7 11.5 1.5

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .... 22,812 21.9 23.5 28.4 17.7 28.0 8.5 9.8 16.7 16.8 12.8 19.6 15.8 2.2

 With own children under 18 years old .. 14,718 33.1 19.7 33.2 20.2 37.7 6.9 16.6 16.9 17.3 14.5 21.9 15.1 1.3

Employment status

Civilian labor force ......................... 45,896 30.2 22.5 25.6 14.7 30.9 9.6 13.2 13.2 20.1 12.5 25.4 13.8 1.7

 Employed .................................. 43,886 30.3 22.5 25.5 14.6 31.0 9.6 13.2 13.2 20.4 12.3 25.2 13.9 1.7

 Full time 7 ................................ 34,237 30.2 22.6 24.3 13.7 31.1 9.9 13.3 12.4 21.5 11.7 25.3 13.6 1.8

 Part time 8 ................................ 9,649 30.8 22.4 29.6 18.1 30.7 8.4 13.1 16.1 16.6 14.7 24.9 15.0 1.4

 Unemployed ............................... 2,010 28.5 22.8 26.6 16.6 28.5 9.4 11.6 14.4 12.4 14.9 28.3 12.9 1.7

Not in the labor force ...................... 18,646 21.7 23.1 28.6 16.8 25.9 7.3 11.7 16.4 15.9 12.1 21.9 17.3 1.9

1 Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most

hours during the year. See the Technical Note for more details. 2 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 3 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 4 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 5 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons. 6 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are

nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children. 7 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.

8 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an

organization at any point from September 1, 2003, through the survey period in September 2004. 

Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to

totals because data are not presented for all races. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is

identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity as well

as by race. Detail will sum to greater than 100 percent because respondents could choose more

than one activity.
Table 6. Volunteers by how they became involved with main organization for which volunteer activities were performed

and selected characteristics, September 2004

Characteristics in September 2004

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of how volunteers became involved with main organization 1

Total

Approached

the

organization

Was asked by:

Other

Not

reporting

how

became

involved

Total 2 Boss or

employer

Relative,

friend, or

co-worker

Someone in

the

organization/

school

Someone

else

Sex

Total, both sexes .................................................. 64,542 100.0 40.9 42.2 1.2 13.6 25.9 1.2 14.5 2.5

 Men ................................................................ 27,011 100.0 40.6 42.9 1.2 15.2 25.0 1.3 13.9 2.6

 Women ............................................................ 37,530 100.0 41.1 41.6 1.2 12.5 26.5 1.2 14.9 2.4

Age

Total, 16 years and over ......................................... 64,542 100.0 40.9 42.2 1.2 13.6 25.9 1.2 14.5 2.5

 16 to 24 years .................................................... 8,821 100.0 39.7 39.8 1.2 14.8 22.4 1.4 17.8 2.7

 16 to 19 years .................................................. 4,774 100.0 40.6 38.4 .1 13.7 22.6 2.0 18.4 2.7

 20 to 24 years .................................................. 4,047 100.0 38.6 41.6 2.5 16.2 22.1 .7 17.2 2.6

 25 years and over ............................................... 55,720 100.0 41.1 42.5 1.2 13.5 26.4 1.2 14.0 2.4

 25 to 34 years .................................................. 10,046 100.0 38.9 43.7 2.1 15.1 24.9 1.6 15.2 2.2

 35 to 44 years .................................................. 14,783 100.0 41.0 43.8 1.4 12.4 28.9 .8 13.0 2.2

 45 to 54 years .................................................. 13,584 100.0 41.7 41.5 1.2 13.3 25.8 1.0 14.3 2.4

 55 to 64 years .................................................. 8,784 100.0 41.1 43.0 1.0 13.8 26.4 1.7 13.2 2.7

 65 years and over ............................................. 8,524 100.0 42.8 40.1 .2 13.2 25.0 1.4 14.4 2.8

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ................................................................ 55,892 100.0 41.1 42.2 1.2 13.8 25.8 1.2 14.3 2.3

Black or African American ....................................... 5,435 100.0 39.7 40.9 1.2 11.8 26.6 1.1 15.7 3.8

Asian ................................................................ 1,832 100.0 41.9 40.6 1.5 11.7 25.8 1.6 13.7 3.8

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ...................................... 4,102 100.0 42.8 39.5 1.6 12.4 24.0 1.3 15.2 2.5

Educational attainment 3

Less than a high school diploma ................................ 2,718 100.0 39.4 44.5 .6 13.8 27.8 2.0 13.6 2.5

High school graduates, no college 4 ............................ 12,709 100.0 39.5 43.5 1.1 14.5 26.6 1.2 14.5 2.5

Less than a bachelor’s degree 5 ................................ 16,414 100.0 40.6 43.1 1.2 13.8 26.8 1.2 14.1 2.2

College graduates ................................................. 23,880 100.0 42.4 41.3 1.4 12.7 25.9 1.2 13.6 2.6

Marital status

Single, never married ............................................. 14,126 100.0 40.2 39.5 1.2 15.1 21.6 1.6 17.4 2.9

Married, spouse present ......................................... 40,346 100.0 41.1 43.4 1.2 13.0 27.9 1.1 13.3 2.3

Other marital status 6 ............................................. 10,070 100.0 41.2 40.9 1.4 14.3 23.7 1.2 15.3 2.7

Presence of own children under 18 years 7

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .......................... 17,269 100.0 40.6 41.7 1.1 16.3 22.6 1.5 14.8 2.9

 With own children under 18 years old ......................... 9,742 100.0 40.6 44.9 1.4 13.1 29.3 1.0 12.3 2.2

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .......................... 22,812 100.0 41.7 39.9 1.4 14.1 22.9 1.4 15.6 2.7

 With own children under 18 years old ......................... 14,718 100.0 40.2 44.2 1.1 10.1 32.0 .9 13.8 1.8

Employment status

Civilian labor force ................................................ 45,896 100.0 40.2 43.0 1.7 14.2 25.8 1.1 14.3 2.5

 Employed ......................................................... 43,886 100.0 40.2 42.9 1.7 14.1 25.8 1.1 14.4 2.6

 Full time 8 ....................................................... 34,237 100.0 39.5 43.7 2.1 14.6 25.7 1.1 14.0 2.8

 Part time 9 ....................................................... 9,649 100.0 42.5 40.1 .5 12.3 25.9 1.2 15.5 1.8

 Unemployed ...................................................... 2,010 100.0 40.0 43.8 .9 15.1 26.6 1.2 14.0 2.2

Not in the labor force ............................................. 18,646 100.0 42.7 40.2 .2 12.3 26.0 1.6 14.8 2.3

1 Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most

hours during the year. See the Technical Note for more details. 2 Includes persons who did not specify who asked them to volunteer, not shown

separately. 3 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 4 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 5 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 6 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons. 7 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included

are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children. 8 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs. 9 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for

an organization at any point from September 1, 2003, through the survey period in September

2004. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do

not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. In addition, persons whose

ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by

ethnicity as well as by race.
Table 7. Main reason for not volunteering last year as reported by non-volunteers who had volunteered in the past 

by selected characteristics, September 2004

Characteristics in September 2004 Total

(thousands) 1

Percent distribution of main reason for not volunteering

Total

Burnout/

not

enjoyable

previously

Family

responsibilities or

childcare

problems

Health or

medical

problems

Lack of

time

No one

asked

No longer

a

member

of the

organization

Wasn’t

interested

Moved,

lack of

information,

transportation, or

expenses 2

No longer

required/

not

relevant to

current life

situation

Other

Not

reporting

reason

for not

volunteering

Sex

Total, both sexes ............................. 36,997 100.0 2.1 9.1 14.4 45.0 3.2 1.8 4.5 4.0 5.8 8.5 1.6

 Men ........................................... 16,214 100.0 2.5 5.5 10.9 49.9 3.8 2.0 5.5 4.4 5.5 8.5 1.6

 Women ....................................... 20,784 100.0 1.8 11.9 17.2 41.1 2.8 1.7 3.8 3.8 6.1 8.4 1.5

Age

Total, 16 years and over .................... 36,997 100.0 2.1 9.1 14.4 45.0 3.2 1.8 4.5 4.0 5.8 8.5 1.6

 16 to 24 years ............................... 4,600 100.0 1.3 6.4 1.0 60.9 3.1 3.5 3.7 5.0 3.9 9.8 1.4

 16 to 19 years ............................. 1,407 100.0 1.7 3.5 .8 56.9 4.5 4.7 4.7 5.5 4.4 11.2 2.1

 20 to 24 years ............................. 3,194 100.0 1.1 7.6 1.1 62.7 2.4 2.9 3.3 4.8 3.6 9.2 1.1

 25 years and over .......................... 32,397 100.0 2.2 9.5 16.3 42.7 3.2 1.6 4.7 3.9 6.1 8.3 1.6

 25 to 34 years ............................. 6,123 100.0 1.5 13.4 2.0 59.6 3.4 1.0 2.8 5.9 2.1 6.7 1.6

 35 to 44 years ............................. 6,001 100.0 1.4 12.5 4.6 55.4 3.3 1.5 3.5 4.1 5.2 7.3 1.3

 45 to 54 years ............................. 7,431 100.0 2.6 8.0 8.2 50.0 3.6 2.2 4.3 3.6 7.5 8.0 2.0

 55 to 64 years ............................. 5,594 100.0 2.7 8.4 14.6 41.5 3.4 2.2 6.0 3.2 8.2 8.2 1.7

 65 years and over ........................ 7,248 100.0 2.7 6.1 47.7 11.3 2.5 1.0 6.6 3.0 7.1 10.8 1.2

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ........................................... 31,899 100.0 2.1 8.9 14.6 44.9 3.1 1.8 4.5 4.1 6.1 8.5 1.4

Black or African American .................. 3,138 100.0 1.9 11.2 16.2 42.8 3.3 1.8 5.1 3.2 4.0 8.6 1.9

Asian ........................................... 1,087 100.0 1.9 11.7 4.6 52.2 5.8 .3 3.7 4.0 3.5 8.1 4.2

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ................. 2,488 100.0 2.1 11.4 10.5 43.2 5.2 1.0 3.3 6.2 6.4 9.2 1.6

Educational attainment 3

Less than a high school diploma ........... 2,961 100.0 2.7 9.5 39.2 20.7 3.8 1.3 4.2 3.3 5.6 8.7 1.0

High school graduates, no college 4 ....... 9,525 100.0 2.5 9.5 20.0 35.0 3.7 1.7 5.9 3.6 8.1 8.4 1.7

Less than a bachelor’s degree 5 ........... 9,729 100.0 2.3 9.2 14.3 44.7 3.0 1.7 4.5 4.3 5.4 8.9 1.6

College graduates ............................ 10,183 100.0 1.8 9.7 8.0 54.3 2.8 1.3 3.8 4.1 5.1 7.5 1.6

Marital status

Single, never married ........................ 8,648 100.0 1.7 4.9 4.4 58.9 3.6 2.4 4.6 5.2 3.5 9.0 1.6

Married, spouse present .................... 19,854 100.0 2.1 11.8 12.2 44.5 3.2 1.8 4.3 3.6 7.0 7.9 1.6

Other marital status 6 ........................ 8,496 100.0 2.5 7.0 29.5 31.8 2.9 1.3 5.0 4.0 5.4 9.3 1.3

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 7

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old ...... 12,561 100.0 2.6 3.5 13.2 46.6 3.9 2.1 6.2 4.7 6.0 9.4 1.8

 With own children under 18 years old .... 3,653 100.0 1.9 12.3 2.8 61.5 3.2 1.7 3.1 3.1 3.9 5.6 .9

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old ...... 15,780 100.0 2.1 7.3 21.3 39.5 2.8 1.8 4.4 4.0 6.7 8.8 1.4

 With own children under 18 years old .... 5,004 100.0 1.2 26.3 4.1 46.1 2.8 1.3 1.8 3.2 4.1 7.3 1.8

Employment status

Civilian labor force ........................... 25,197 100.0 1.9 8.6 2.7 58.3 3.5 2.0 3.8 4.3 5.6 7.8 1.6

 Employed .................................... 23,898 100.0 1.9 8.3 2.7 59.6 3.5 2.0 3.5 4.0 5.7 7.3 1.6

 Full time 8 .................................. 19,719 100.0 1.9 7.7 2.1 62.0 3.3 1.9 3.1 3.9 5.4 7.1 1.6

 Part time 9 .................................. 4,179 100.0 1.9 10.9 5.6 48.1 4.2 2.6 5.2 4.4 6.8 8.7 1.6

 Unemployed ................................. 1,299 100.0 2.3 15.1 3.1 35.2 3.5 1.5 8.4 9.8 4.0 15.5 1.9

Not in the labor force ........................ 11,800 100.0 2.6 10.1 39.3 16.4 2.6 1.4 6.2 3.5 6.4 10.0 1.4

1 Data refer to persons who did not volunteer during the survey reference period

(September 2003-September 2004), but who had volunteered in the past. 2 Includes the categories lack of information about opportunities, lack of transportation, lack

of paid expenses, moved in the last year, and opportunities don’t match interest or skills. 3 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 4 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 5 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 6 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons. 7 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included

are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children. 8 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs. 9 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.

 NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an

organization at any point from September 1, 2003, through the survey period in September 2004.

Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to

totals because data are not presented for all races. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is

identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity as

well as by race.