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By the numbers…Census Bureau facts for Features: Older Americans Month celebrated in May
WASHINGTON, U.S. Newswire/ -- Older Americans Month originated with a presidential proclamation in May 1963. It has been proclaimed by presidents every year since then. In preparation for this year’s observance, U.S. Census Bureau ‘by the numbers’ reflect the growing impact of seniors in today’s United States. 36.3 million--The number of people 65 and over in the United States on July 1, 2004. This age group accounts for 12 percent of the total population. Between 2003 and 2004, 351,000 people moved into this age group. 4.9 million--The number of people 85 and over in the United States on July 1, 2004. 86.7 million --Projected population of people 65 and over in the year 2050. People in this age group would comprise 21 percent of the total population at that time. 147 percent --Projected percentage increase in the 65-and-over population between 2000 and 2050. By comparison, the population as a whole would have increased by only 49 percent over the same period. Income and Wealth $108,885--Median net worth in 2000 of households with householders 65 and over. In contrast, householders under the age of 35 had a median household net worth of $7,240. $23,787--Median 2003 income of households with householders 65 and over, statistically unchanged, in real terms, from the previous year. 10.2 percent--Poverty rate for people 65 and over in 2003. Serving Our Nation 9.7 million--Estimated number of people age 65 and over who are military veterans. Jobs 4.6 million--Number of people age 65 and over who are still employed this amounts to 13 percent of all people in this age group. Education 77 percent--Proportion of people ages 65 to 69 who graduated from high school. Seventy-three percent of people ages 70 to 74 and 68 percent of those 75 and over are also high school graduates. 20 percent--Percentage of the population ages 65 to 69 who have a bachelor's degree or higher education. Among people ages 70 to 74, 19 percent have achieved this level of education; for those 75 and over, 15 percent are college graduates. 73,000--Number of people 65 and over enrolled in college in October 2002. Marital Status and Living Arrangements 44 percent--Percent of women age 65 and over who are widowed, greater than the 41 percent who are married and living with their spouses. Women age 65 and older are three times more likely to be widowed than their male counterparts. Among men in the same age group, 71 percent are married and living with their spouses and only 14 percent are widowed. Voting 65 percent--Percentage of registered voters ages 65 to 74 who voted in the 2002 Congressional election. Seventy-two percent of people ages 65 to 74 voted in the 2000 presidential election. This age group had the highest rate of voter participation in both the 2000 and 2002 elections. Homeownership 81 percent--Proportion of householders age 65 and over who own their homes. This compares with 68 percent for all householders. Coming to America 3.7 million--Number of U.S. residents 65 and over in 2004 who were foreign- born. Population Distribution World 880,000--The unprecedented number of people added each month to the world's population of people 65 and over. More than one-third of the world's oldest people (80 and above) lived in three countries: China (14.8 million), the United States (10.7 million) and India (7.5 million). Nation 71--Overall, the number of men age 65 and over on July 1, 2003, for every 100 women in this age group. For those in the 65 to 74 age group, the ratio is 83 men for every 100 women. For those 85 and over, it drops to 44 men per 100 women. 64,658--Estimated number of centenarians in the United States on August 1, 2004. States and Counties 17 percent--Percentage of Florida's population that was 65 and over on July 1, 2004. Florida led all states in this category. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Iowa followed closely, at 15 percent each. 4.2 percent Percentage increase in the number of people age 65 and over in Nevada between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004. Alaska closely followed at 3.8 percent. 3.8 million--Number of people 65 and over living in California on July 1, 2004, the highest total of any state. Florida, with 2.9 million, was the runner-up. 29 percent--The highest percentage increase among counties in the 65 and over population between 2000 and 2003. This distinction belongs to Douglas, Colo. Following Douglas were Collin, Texas; Prince William, Va.; Fort Bend, Texas; and Henry, Ga. (The findings pertain to counties with minimum populations of 100,000.) The five largest numerical gainers over the period were Los Angeles, Calif.; Clark (Las Vegas), Nev.; Orange (Anaheim), Calif.; Maricopa (Phoenix), Ariz.; and Miami-Dade, Fla. Sports Activities 12.4 million--Number of people 65 and over who engage in exercise walking, by far the most popular sports activity for this age group, at least six times a year. The next most popular forms of exercise for this age group are exercising with equipment, net fishing and swimming. |
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