Facts and Figures About Senior Citizens Released for
Older Americans Month: May 2010
Census Bureau provides this annual update on the
state of older Americans
April 27, 2010 - A meeting with the National
Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F. Kennedy
designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to
pay tribute in some way to older people across the country. In 1980,
President Jimmy Carter's proclamation changed the name to Older
Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through
ceremonies, events and public recognition.
Here are todays facts about senior citizens,
compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau
38.9 million
The number of people 65 and older in the United
States on July 1, 2008.
This age group accounted for 13 percent of the
total population.
Between 2007 and 2008, this age group increased by
927,305 people.
Projected 2009 midyear world population 65 and
older. Projections indicate the number will increase to 1.53 billion by
2050. The percentage of the world's population 65 and older would
increase from less than 8 percent to 17 percent over the period. By
2050, Europe's rate would be 29 percent.
Median 2008 income of households with householders
65 and older, statistically unchanged, in real terms, from the previous
year. The corresponding median for all households was $50,303.
Poverty rate for people 65 and older in 2008,
statistically unchanged from 2007. There were 3.7 million seniors in
poverty in 2008, statistically unchanged from the previous year. The
corresponding rate for the population as a whole was 13.2 percent.
Number of people 66 and older taking adult
education courses in 2004-05, comprising about 8 percent of these students.
Source: National
Center for Education Statistics as cited in the Statistical Abstract of
the United States: 2010
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/ (Table 294)
Marital Status and Living Arrangements
56%
Percentage of people 65 and older who were
married in 2009.
Percentage of people 65 and older in households in
2008 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.
Number of people 65 and older who lived in
nursing/skilled nursing facilities in 2008. These residents comprised 4
percent of all people in this age group.
Percentage of citizens 65 and older reporting
casting a ballot in the 2008 presidential election. Along with those 45
to 64, people 65 and older had the highest turnout rate of any age
group.
Number of people 65 and older living in California
on July 1, 2008, the highest total of any state. Florida, with 3.2
million, and New York, with 2.6 million, were the runners-up.
Percentage of Florida's population 65 and older in
2008, which led the nation. States with the next-highest percentages of
older people included West Virginia (16 percent) and Pennsylvania (15
percent).
Percentage of the population of La Paz County,
Ariz., that was 65 and older on July 1, 2008, which led the nation. It
was followed by Highlands, Fla. (32 percent), and Lancaster, Va. (32
percent).
April 27, 2010 - A meeting with the National
Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F. Kennedy
designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to
pay tribute in some way to older people across the country. In 1980,
President Jimmy Carter's proclamation changed the name to Older
Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through
ceremonies, events and public recognition.
88.5 million
56%