Older Americans by the numbers: U.S. census data

Here are some interesting facts about older Americans, released by the U.S. Cenus Bureau.

39.6 million

The number of people 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2009.

This age group accounted for 13 percent of the total population. Between 2008 and 2009, this age group increased by 770,699 people.

Source: Population estimates

88.5 million

Projected population of people 65 and older in 2050. People in this age group would comprise 20 percent of the total population at that time.

Source: Population projections

545 million

Projected 2011 midyear world population 65 and older. Projections indicate the number will increase to 1.55 billion by 2050. The percentage of the world’s population 65 and older would increase from about 8 percent to about 17 percent over the period.

Source: International Data Base

35

The projected number of people 65 and older to every 100 people of traditional working ages (ages 20 to 64) in 2030, up from 22 in 2010. This time period coincides with the time when baby boomers are moving into the 65-and-older age category. (The figures for 2010 are not census counts.)

Source: The Next Four Decades: The Older Population in the United States: 2010 to 2050

42%

The percentage of the 65 and older population expected to be a minority – i.e., a group other than single race, non-Hispanic white – in 2050, more than double the percentage in 2010 (20 percent). Likewise, among those 85 and older, 33 percent are projected to be a minority in 2050, up from 15 percent in 2010. (The figures for 2010 are not census counts.)

Source: The Next Four Decades: The Older Population in the United States: 2010 to 2050

$31,354

Median 2009 income of households with householders 65 and older, up 5.8 percent, in real terms, from the previous year. The corresponding median for all households was $49,777.

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009

8.9%

Poverty rate for people 65 and older in 2009, down from 9.7 percent in 2008. There were 3.4 million seniors in poverty in 2009, down from 3.7 million the previous year. The corresponding rate for the population as a whole was 14.3 percent.

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009

9.0 million

Estimated number of people 65 and older who were veterans of the armed forces in 2009.

Source: 2009 American Community Survey

6.5 million

Number of people 65 and older who were in the labor force in 2009. Projections indicate that by 2018, the number will reach 11.1 million.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as cited in the Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2011

55%

The percentage who worked full-time among people 65 and older who were employed in 2009.

Source: The Older Population in the United States: 2009

42%

The percentage working in management, professional and related occupations among employed people 65 and older.

Source: The Older Population in the United States: 2009

16%

Percentage of people 65 and older in the labor force in 2009.

Source: 2009 American Community Survey

77%

Proportion of people 65 and older in 2009 who had completed high school or higher education.

Source: 2009 American Community Survey

20%

Percentage of the population 65 and older in 2009 who had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Source: 2009 American Community Survey

56%

Percentage of people 65 and older who were married in 2010.

Source: Families and Living Arrangements

28%

Percentage of people 65 and older in 2010 who were widowed.

Source: Families and Living Arrangements

66%

Percentage of people 65 and older in households in 2009 who lived with relatives. Twenty-seven percent of all people this age lived alone, while 5 percent lived in group quarters and 2 percent in a household with nonrelatives.

Source: 2009 American Community Survey

81%

Percentage of householders 65 and older who owned their homes as of 4th quarter 2010.

Source: Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous post Stretch of 70-degree weather on it’s way?
Next post Hanging with her PEEPS