May 18, 2005

Older Americans

Between 2003 and 2004, 351,000 persons moved into the 65 and over age group. By the year 2050, the projected population in this cohort will be 86.7 million, representing a 147 percent increase between 2000 and 2050. By comparison, the population of the world as a whole would have increased by only 49 percent for the same period. Eighty-one percent of persons 65 and over owned their own homes and 4.6 million still work. These statistics come from the Facts for Features for Older Americans Month, celebrated in May. Though these Facts for Features are designed for media use for various holidays and observances, they make excellent demographic and economic portraits of the population for use in the classroom or general use. At the Census home page, select Facts for Features.

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