Login
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released new 5-year estimates from the 2014-2018 American Community Survey (ACS), which covers over forty demographic topics, including a newly added section profiling the 65 and older population. Key findings of the report show that the median age of the U.S. older population was 73.2 years, and Sumter County, Florida, had the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and older, at 55.6 percent.
In terms of sex distribution among the older population 65 years and older, they are generally more females than males, except in a few counties—including Cass County, Minnesota; Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska; and La Paz County, Arizona; among others—where there are higher proportions of older males than older females. In contrast, Danville City, Virginia; Bronx County, NY; and Muscogee County, Georgia, there were about three women for every two men age 65 and older.
Below are some of the main highlights from the new estimates regarding the labor force, income, poverty and housing and living arrangements.
Key Highlights
- The labor force participation rate for ages 65-74 years increased to 25.7 percent from 25.2 percent in 2009-2013.
- Arlington, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Howard County, MD; Loudoun County, VA; and Montgomery County, MD, were among the counties with the highest household incomes for householders 65 years and over.
- Median household income was highest in Hawaii at $65,086 for households with a householder 65 years and over.
- Of the 65 years and older population living in renter-occupied housing units during 2014-2018, 54.4 percent spent 30 percent or more of their household income on housing costs.
- During 2014-2018, 42.8 percent of householders 65 and over lived alone, decreasing from 43.8 percent in 2009-2013.
- Of the 18.6 million veterans in the U.S., roughly half were age 65 and older at 49.5 percent.
For more statistics on the older population in the U.S., read the full report here.