This paper presents empirical evidence on the spatial and temporal patterns of social vulnerability in the United States from 1960 to the present. Social vulnerability refers to the sensitivity of a population to natural hazards and their ability to respond to and recover from the impacts of hazards. It is a multidimensional construct influenced by factors such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and housing tenure. The Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) is a county-level measure of social vulnerability based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The SoVI has shown that social vulnerability has varied over time and space, with some counties increasing in vulnerability while others have decreased. The national trend shows a steady reduction in social vulnerability, but there is considerable regional variability. The SoVI is a useful tool for identifying areas at higher risk of vulnerability and for developing place-based emergency plans. The paper also discusses the challenges in measuring social vulnerability, including methodological difficulties, data quality issues, and conceptual shortcomings. The results show that social vulnerability has changed over time, with some factors consistently increasing vulnerability, such as urban density, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The spatial distribution of vulnerability has also changed, with vulnerability becoming more dispersed over time. The paper concludes that a one-size-fits-all approach to disaster preparedness and response is ineffective, and that a more flexible approach that accounts for local variability is needed. The SoVI is a valuable tool for identifying vulnerable populations and for informing disaster preparedness and response strategies.This paper presents empirical evidence on the spatial and temporal patterns of social vulnerability in the United States from 1960 to the present. Social vulnerability refers to the sensitivity of a population to natural hazards and their ability to respond to and recover from the impacts of hazards. It is a multidimensional construct influenced by factors such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and housing tenure. The Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) is a county-level measure of social vulnerability based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The SoVI has shown that social vulnerability has varied over time and space, with some counties increasing in vulnerability while others have decreased. The national trend shows a steady reduction in social vulnerability, but there is considerable regional variability. The SoVI is a useful tool for identifying areas at higher risk of vulnerability and for developing place-based emergency plans. The paper also discusses the challenges in measuring social vulnerability, including methodological difficulties, data quality issues, and conceptual shortcomings. The results show that social vulnerability has changed over time, with some factors consistently increasing vulnerability, such as urban density, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The spatial distribution of vulnerability has also changed, with vulnerability becoming more dispersed over time. The paper concludes that a one-size-fits-all approach to disaster preparedness and response is ineffective, and that a more flexible approach that accounts for local variability is needed. The SoVI is a valuable tool for identifying vulnerable populations and for informing disaster preparedness and response strategies.