American Seniors

May 13, 2009

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Profile America — Wednesday, May 13th. This is Older Americans Month — a time to honor the growing number of people who are living longer and healthier lives. However, the economic downturn also has spotlighted the problems of financing retirement and paying for medical care of the elderly. There are nearly 38 million people age 65 and older in the U.S., about 13 percent of the population. By the year 2050, the number of elderly is projected to be close to 89 million. About one-in-seven seniors is still working. One-in-four is a military veteran, and eight-out-of-10 own their homes. Because of growing longevity, there are some 97,000 Americans who are at least 100 years old. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 246
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB09-FF.07
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013384.html