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Today marks National Senior Citizens Day, which recognizes the achievements of the older population in the United States in appreciation of the dedication and services they have given throughout their lives. In honor of this day, the U.S. Census Bureau has released key statistics about the growing older population.
Key Stats (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
- There are more females than males at the oldest ages. For those between the ages 65 to 74, there are 89 males for every 100 females.
- The older population is largely white and non-Hispanic, at more than 80 percent of the population 85 and older.
- The likelihood that an elder lives in a family household diminishes with age, from 73 percent for people between 65 and 74 to 48 percent for those 85 years of age or older.
- A greater share of older males than older females had at least a Bachelor’s degree.
- The homeownership rate is higher among people between the ages 65 to 74 at 79 percent.
- Ninety percent of the most common household income received in the past 12 months for the older population was from social security.
- A higher percentage of older women are in poverty than older men—11 percent compared to 7 percent.
NAWRB profiles the aging population in the U.S. with an emphasis on the older female population in Volume IV: Aging Population of the NAWRB 2019 Women Housing Ecosystem Report (WHER).
Our review covers a wide range of topics, including employment, living arrangements, physical, mental and financial health, caregiving, poverty, and elder financial abuse. The aging population is an often neglected but significant portion of our society that will become dependent on younger generations for their physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Purchase your copy of the 2019 WHER here.