Demographics of the Older Adult

Figure 1 Adults aged 65 and older comprise 12.4% of the United States population. Females outnumber males, accounting for 7.3% of this population. The overall percentage of older adults is anticipated to increase dramatically over the next several years.2 The 2000 census revealed the most rapid increase in population growth was among 45 to 54 year olds. This 49% rise is primarily due to the aging of “baby boomers” (those born between 1946 and 1964).2

The U.S. Bureau of the Census 2000 Report made the following data available regarding older adults:1
  • Seventy-four percent of the men were married in contrast to 43% of the women. Women were four times as likely to be widows than men. Eight percent of the older adult population were divorced or separated. Though this is a low percentage, it is significantly higher than the 1990 statistics.

  • Fifty-five percent of independent older adults lived with their spouse and 30% lived alone. As age increases, the chance of living with a spouse decreases, particularly for women. Living arrangements also reflected those of a combined household with more than 1.1 million older adults living with their children and/or grandchildren. Approximately 4.5% of persons age 65 and older lived in nursing homes. Of those residing in nursing homes, 1.1% were 65 to 74 years old, 4.7% are 75 to 84 years old, and 18.2% were aged 85 and older.

  • Approximately 16.4% of older adults in the United States in the year 2000 were minorities. The breakdown was 8.0% African American, 2.4% Asian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% American Indian or Alaskan. Those of Hispanic origin comprised 5.6% of this population. Less than 1% of older adults reported to be of two or more races.

  • Slightly more than half of the older adult population (52%) lived in nine states. Those states in descending order of population are California, Florida, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey. Seventy-seven percent of the older adults resided in metropolitan areas. Older adults resisted changing residence more than any other age group.

  • The median income for those aged 65 and older in 2000 was $13,769. Males reported a median income of $19,168, while females reported $10,899 annually. The major source of income was social security. Other sources of income included earnings, assets, and pensions. Approximately 3.4 million older adults were below the poverty level in 2000.

  • The educational level attained by the older adult is increasing. Between 1970 and 2000, the number of older adults who had completed high school increased from 28% to 70%. Approximately 16% of older adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

  • Many older adults expressed at least one chronic medical health problem and, consequently, many perceived themselves as being in fair or poor health. Many of these chronic illnesses manifest as physical or mental limitations. In the 64 to 74 year age group, 28.8% reported a limitation caused by a chronic condition, while 50.6% of those aged 75 and older reported similar disease-induced restrictions.