Among the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, Denver and Salt Lake City are also in the top 10. The Gallup analysis finds the largest concentrations in the West - and not just in the expected places like San Francisco and Portland, Ore. As a result, there has long been a shroud of uncertainty around the geography of gay and lesbian Americans.Ī new analysis of Gallup survey data offers the most detailed estimates yet about where people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender live. But there is one glaring demographic omission: The census does not ask people about their sexual orientation.

The Census Bureau asks Americans about subjects as varied as race, age, annual income and even their source of home heating.