According to US census statistics there are approximately 2.6 million teachers working at the elementary and middle school level. When census information includes pre-schools, high schools, special education teachers and college instructors, the number climbs to approximately 6.5 million teachers.

Our total population is right now close to 300 million. So in estimated figures, teachers comprise about 2% of the total population. There are currently 74.9 million students enrolled in the country representing a one to eleven ratio of students to teachers.

This is rarely the ratio, since really, a fair share of jobs held by teachers may teach a smaller number of students. For example a part-time college professor might teach only one class, or a special education teacher might teach only a handful of students.

However it should be noticed that while the population of US students has doubled in the past few years, the population of US teachers has tripled. This leads some to suggest that teachers are too many, when in fact in some areas, it is extremely difficult to entice teachers to work.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics census of 2004, teachers are also primarily female. 98% of preschool and kindergarten teachers are women. Females represent 59% of teachers at secondary schools, 46% of post secondary schools, and 87% of special education teachers. Many attribute a greater share of female teachers to pay that is not enough in many parts of the country to support a family. However, many female teachers do singly support a family on their salaries, though this remains challenging.

The average teacher in California, for example, may make as much as 50,000 US dollars (USD). This salary cannot purchase a house in most areas of California. Most teachers in the more populated parts of California, who are homeowners, are able to do this by combining earnings with that of a spouse. Urban area teachers may make the most, but have to compete with the higher costs of housing in most major cities. This means teachers seldom can be said to comfortably exist on their salaries.

8.4% of US teachers are black, and 5.5% of teachers are Hispanic. The Asian community is even less represented, with 2.9% of teachers being Asian. These figures draw concern since they are not in keeping with the racial makeup of the United States. Schools that are predominantly Hispanic or Black might be lucky to have one or two teachers who are from their culture, and thus represent role models for a community.

Concern for lack of adequate cultural representation is especially great in urban areas where minority children living in poverty are more at risk for criminal behavior. With fewer teacher role models who are of the same culture, the attempt to join gangs or simply lose interest in school is more prevalent. Like all people, children need connections, community, and a sense of belonging. In neighborhoods predominated by one race, teachers of the same race may help provide a sense of community, which teachers of a different race may not provide. There are noted exceptions. Yet many hope to encourage more minorities to join the legion of teachers so minorities have more representation in education.