CB01-FF.07
June 1, 2001
Older Americans Month
Celebrated in May
Note: The estimates in this fact sheet should not be confused with Census 2000 results, which are scheduled for release over the next three years.
Population Distribution
34.9 million - The estimated number of Americans 65 and over on Nov. 1, 2000, comprising about 1 in every 8 Americans. The total number of Americans in this age group, which includes 14.5 million men and 20.4 million women, is 12 percent higher than on Census Day, 1990. <http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/nation/intfile2-1.txt>
43 - The estimated number of men 85 and over on Nov. 1, 2000, for every 100 women this age. There were 85 men for every 100 women ages 65 to 69. <http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/nation/intfile2-1.txt>
68,000 - Estimated number of centenarians on Nov. 1, 2000, nearly double the total on Census Day, 1990. <http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/nation/intfile2-1.txt>
1.1 million - Projected number of centenarians in 2050. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-05.html>
77 - Projected life expectancy at birth in 2000. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-27.html>
Grandchildren
1.1 million - Number of grandparents 65 and over who actually lived with their grandchildren in 1997. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/1999/cb99-115.html>
Income, Poverty and Wealth
$22,812 - Median household income for householders 65 and over in 1999, which compares with a median of $40,816 for all householders. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-158.html>
$92,399 - Median net worth in 1995 for householders 65 and over, which compares with $40,200 for all householders. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-33.html>
9.7% - The poverty rate in 1999 for people 65 and over, the lowest for this group ever measured by the Census Bureau. There were 3.2 million people in this age group who were poor in 1999, down from 3.4 million in 1998. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-158.html>
Jobs
19% - Proportion of men 65 and over in the civilian labor force in 2000; 10 percent of women in this age group were working. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-96.html>
Education
75,000 - Number of people 65 and over enrolled in college in October 1999. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-52.html>
Marriage
77% - Percentage of men 65-to-74 years old who were married and living with their spouse in 2000. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-96.html>
53% - Proportion of men 85 and over who were married and living with their spouse in 2000. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-96.html>
53% - Percent of women ages 65 to 74 married and living with their spouse in 2000. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-96.html>
12% - Percent of women 85 and over married and living with their spouse in 2000. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-96.html>
Voting
60% - Proportion of people 65 and over who voted in the 1998 congressional elections, higher than the voting participation rate of any other age group. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-114.html>
Mobility
5% - Proportion of people 65 and over who moved to a new residence between March 1998 and March 1999, which contrasts with the 32 percent of people in their 20s who did so. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-107.html>
Homeownership
81% - Proportion of householders 65 and over who owned the home they lived in as of 2000. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-96.html>
Coming to America
3.1 million - Number of U.S. residents 65 and over in 2000 who were foreign-born. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-96.html>
The preceding facts come from the Current Population Survey, Survey of Income and Program Participation, population estimates and projections and the Statistical Abstract of the United States. The data are subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Previous Census Bureau Facts for Features this year: African American History Month (February), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Women's History Month (March), Census Day, 2000: One Year Later (April 1), Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May) and Mother's Day (May 13). Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office (tel: 301-457-3030; fax: 301-457-3670; E-mail: pio@census.gov).
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