| Older Americans Month originated with a presidential proclamation
in May 1963. It has been proclaimed by the president every year since then.
Last year, President Bush stated, "Our seniors have cared for their
families and communities, enhanced our economic prosperity, defended our
nation and preserved and protected the Founders' vision. Their commitment
to our future sets an inspiring example for all."
35.3 million
The number of people 65 and over in the United States. That is 12 percent
of the total population. In the first 15 months after Census 2000, 300,000
people moved into this age group. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-16.html>
Income
49
The percentage of married-couple families with a householder age 65 and
over who had an income of $35,000 or more. <http://ferret.bls.census.gov/macro/032002/hhinc/new02_000.htm>
10.1
Poverty rate for people 65 and over, statistically unchanged from its
all-time low. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02-124.html>
Coming to America
3.1 million
Number of people age 65 and over who are foreign-born.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02-115a.html>
Serving Our Nation
9.1 million
Estimated number of people age 65 and over who are military veterans.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
Jobs
18
The percentage of men 65 and over in the civilian labor force. For women,
the corresponding percentage is 10 percent. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-32.html>
Education
70
The percentage of people 65 and over who have completed high school.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-51.html>
17
The percentage of people 65 and over who have a bachelor's degree or more
education. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-51.html>
Marital Status and Living Arrangements
Among the population 65-to-74 years old, 77 percent of men and 53 percent
of women live with their spouses. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-113.html>
Among the population 75 years and over, 67 percent of men and only 29
percent of women live with their spouses. Of the women, 49 percent live
alone and 22 percent are not currently married but live with relatives
or nonrelatives. Only 21 percent of men live alone at this age.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01-113.html>
Voting
72
Percentage of citizens ages 65 to 74 who voted in the last presidential
election; that is the highest rate of any age group. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02-31.html>
Homeownership
80
Proportion of householders age 65 and over who own their homes. This compares
with 68 percent for all householders. <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hvs.html>
Population Distribution
Nation
More than 10X
The size of the increase in the number of people age 65 and over during
the 20th century. The 85 and over population increased more than thirtyfold
over the century. The entire population, in the meantime, more than tripled.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02cn173.html>
2011
The year those born in the first year of the baby-boom generation reach
age 65. Starting in 2011 and continuing through 2025, annual percentage
increases in the older (age 65 and over) population will outstrip increases
in the general population by three to four times. (During the first 15
months after Census 2000, the older population grew at a slower rate than
the total population.)
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02cn53.html>
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-16.html>
2nd
The United States' rank among nations of the world in number of people
80 and over. (China ranks first.) Although the United States contains
less than 5 percent of the world's population, it has 13 percent of its
people 80 and over. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02cn53.html>
70
The number of men age 65 and over on July 1, 2001, for every 100 women
in this age group. This ratio drops from 83 for those in the 65 to 74
age group to 42 for those 85 and over. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-16.html>
48,400
Estimated number of centenarians in the United States on July 1, 2001.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-16.html>
States, Counties and Cities
72
The percentage growth in Nevada's 65-and-over population between the 1990
and 2000 censuses. Nevada led the nation in the rate of growth of the
older population, followed by Alaska (60 percent), Arizona (39 percent)
and New Mexico (30 percent).
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01cn184.html>
18
The percentage of Florida's population that is 65 and over. Among states,
Florida edged out Pennsylvania with the highest percentage of its population
in this age group.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01cn184.html>
35
Percentage of residents of Charlotte County, Fla., who are 65 and over
-- the highest of any county in the nation. Similarly, among places with
populations of 100,000 or more, Clearwater, Fla., has the highest percentage
of older people: 21 percent.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01cn184.html>
Recreation
The most popular form of recreation among people 65 and over is, by far,
exercise walking: 15.8 million people in this age category, or close to
1-in-2, engage in this activity at least six times a year. The next most
popular forms of exercise are swimming and exercising with equipment (3.8
million participants each) and playing golf (3.1 million). <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-32.html>
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