While the 114th Congress is the most diverse in the nation's history, it is far less so than the general population. | Getty Congress still skews heavily male, white

Even as the United States grows increasingly diverse, Congress remains overwhelmingly white, male and old.

And while the 114th Congress is the most diverse in the nation’s history, it is far less so than the population at large, according to a recently released report from the Congressional Research Service that details the racial, gender, religious and professional makeup of the Congress.



Of the Senate’s 100 members, 93 are white, 80 are male and 55 are Protestant. The average age is 61. While African-Americans make up 13 percent of the nation’s population, there are only two black senators. There are four Hispanic or Latino senators, while the nation’s population is nearly 18 percent Hispanic or Latino.


In the House, of 434 voting members as of June 23, 350 are men. About 10 percent of House members are African-American, and nearly 8 percent Hispanic.

Between the two chambers, there are 14 Asian-Americans or Pacific Islanders, or about 3 percent of lawmakers. About 6 percent of the total population is Asian-American or Pacific Islander.

The average age in the House is 57.

For 20 House members, a high school diploma is the highest educational degree. About 5 percent of House members have medical degrees, as did three senators. Predictably, there are many lawyers in Congress: 36 percent of House members and 54 senators hold law degrees.

While the body is not diverse by national standards, it is by historical standards. The 114th Congress has more women, more African-Americans, more Hispanic or Latino and more Asian-American or Pacific Islander members than any Congress in history.

Three senators and 13 representatives were born outside the United States. That is far below the national average, which is about 13 percent foreign-born. About 19 percent of lawmakers served in the military.

The diversity in Congress is not evenly split between the parties. Of 43 voting African-American members in the House, only two are Republican. Of the Senate’s 20 female members, six are Republicans. Of 84 voting female members of the House, 62 are Democrat and 22 are Republican.