Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile
December 27, 2010 - R40086
This report presents a profile of the membership of the 111th Congress. Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of members, including data on party affiliation, average age and length of service, occupation, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service. Currently, in the House of Representatives, there are 261 Democrats (including five Delegates and the Resident Commissioner) and 180 Republicans. The Senate has 57 Democrats; two Independents, who caucus with the Democrats, and 41 Republicans. The average age of members of both houses of Congress at the beginning of the 111th Congress was 58.2 years; of members of the House, 57.2 years; and of Senators, 63.1 years. The overwhelming majority of members have a college education. The dominant professions of members are public service/politics, business, and law. Protestants collectively constitute the majority religious affiliation of members. Roman Catholics account for the largest single religious denomination, and numerous other affiliations are represented. The average length of service for Representatives at the beginning of the 111th Congress was 10.3 years (5.15 terms); for Senators 13.4 years ( 2.2 terms). A record number of 93 women serve in the 111th Congress: 76 in the House, 17 in the Senate. There are ...