About .5-1 % of the general population has vitiligo.

• The disorder affects both sexes and all races, but is more noticeable in people with darker skin.
• Vitiligo can start at any age but about half of those with vitiligo develop it before the age of 20, and about 95% before age 40.
• Approximately 20% of vitiligo patients have a family member with the same condition. However, only 5% to 7% of children will get vitiligo even if a parent has it.
• Vitiligo seems to be highly associated with a number of other autoimmune diseases, mostly thyroid disease, but also pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, Addison's disease, and adult-onset autoimmune disease.