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In 2008, older Americans—those 65 years and older—represented
13 percent of the U.S. population. In Utah, this group comprised 9 percent of
the population.
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In the U.S. there are 136 older women for every 100 older men.
In Utah, the ratio measures 122 older women for every 100 older men.
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Older U.S. women make up almost 15 percent of the female
population compared to Utah where older women make up 10 percent of the
population.
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Men 65 and older make up 11 percent of the male population in
the United States compared to Utah where older men make up 8 percent of the
population.
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Since 1900, the share of Americans 65 years and older has
tripled from 4.1 percent to 12.7 percent in 2008.
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Nationally, individuals between the ages of 55 and 64 comprise
11 percent of the population. In Utah, they show an 8-percent share of the
population.
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Baby boomers will be responsible for the next population
boom—in seniors. The older population will expand rapidly between 2010 and
2030 as the U.S. baby boom generation reaches and surpasses 65.
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The U.S. population 65 and over is expected to increase by 15
percent between 2000 and 2010 and by 36 percent between 2010 and 2020.
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By 2030, the older population is expected be almost twice the
number in that age group during 2005. By 2030, older Americans should account
for about one-fifth of the U.S. population.
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In the U.S., almost 80 percent of 65-plus individuals lived in
metropolitan areas in 2008.
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In 2008, over one-half of the 65-plus population lived in only
nine states—California, Florida, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois,
Ohio, Michigan, and New Jersey.
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States with the highest shares of older populations include
Florida (17 percent), West Virginia (16 percent), Pennsylvania (15 percent),
Maine (15 percent), Hawaii (15 percent), Iowa (15 percent), North Dakota (15
percent), South Dakota (14 percent), and Rhode Island (14 percent).
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Alaska shows the lowest share 65-plus population at 7 percent.
Utah ranks second-lowest with 9 percent 65 and older.
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States with rapidly growing senior populations between 1996
and 2006 included Nevada (up 50 percent), Alaska (up 46 percent), Arizona (up
35 percent), Utah (up 29 percent), New Mexico (up 28 percent), Idaho (up 25
percent), and Georgia (up 25 percent).
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In the U.S. during 2008, men 65 and older were much more
likely to be married than comparably aged women (73 percent of men compared to
41 percent of women). Women are much more likely to be widowed.
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In Utah, more than 80 percent of 65-plus men were married
compared to 51 percent of 65-plus women
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Roughly 42 percent of older U.S. women in 2008 were widows.
There were over four times as many widows as widowers. In Utah, 36 percent of
women were widowed.
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Divorced persons 65 and older represented about 10 percent of
older persons in 2008—up from 5 percent in 1980. Similarly, 10 percent of
Utah’s older population was divorced in 2008.
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In 2008, 4.1 million U.S. households showed grandparents
living with grandchildren. In 1.8 million of those households, grandparents
were responsible for their grandchildren under the age of 18.
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In Utah during 2008, almost 32,000 households showed
grandparents living with grandchildren. In 12,000 of those households,
grandparents were responsible for their live-in grandchildren under the age of
18.
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Roughly 4 percent of the 65-plus population in 2006 lived in
institutional settings such as nursing homes. However, 15 percent of persons
85 and older lived in institutional housing.
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Non-Hispanic whites accounted for nearly 80 percent of the
65-and-older population in the U.S. in 2008. Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics
account for 8 percent, 3 percent, and 7 percent, respectively.
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During 2008, non-Hispanic whites accounted for nearly 93
percent of the 65-and-older population in Utah. Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics
account for 0.3 percent, 1.3 percent, and 4 percent, respectively.
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Education among older Americans has increased dramatically. In
1970, only 28 percent of the 65-plus-population had completed high school
compared to 76 percent in 2008. In 2008, one-fifth of this age group had
a bachelor’s degree.
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In Utah during 2008, 86 percent of older men and women had
completed high school. In addition, 25 percent of the state’s 65 and older
population had at least a bachelor’s degree.
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Average life expectancy at birth has risen from 47 years in
1900 to 77 in 2000.
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In the national 65 and older age group, 89 percent reported
Social Security income, 55 percent reported income from assets, 29 percent
reported income from private pensions, 14 percent reported income from
government-employee pensions, and 24 percent reported earnings (2005).
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In 2005, Social Security benefits accounted for 37 percent of
the total income of the older population.
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In the United States, the 2008 median household income where
the householder is 65 or older measures $33,800 compared $52,000 for all
households.
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In Utah, the 2008 median household income where the
householder is 65 or older measures $40,300 compared $56,600 for all
households.
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Nationally, about 10 percent of the over-65 population were
below the poverty level in 2008 compared to 13 percent of the total
population.
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In Utah, about 7 percent of the over-65 population were below
the poverty level in 2008 compared to 10 percent of the total
population.
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U.S. older women had a higher poverty rate (9 percent) than
older men (5 percent) in 2008.
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Utah women 65-and-over also showed higher poverty rates (6
percent) than did comparably aged men (3 percent).
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Older persons living alone were much more likely to be poor
(17 percent) than those living with families (6 percent).
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The highest poverty rates were experienced among older
Hispanic women who lived alone (41 percent) and older black women who lived
alone (38 percent).
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Households maintained by older people have net worth higher
than that of all other households except for those maintained by 55-64
year-olds, who held similar levels.
Employment
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In 2008, over 15 percent of Americans 65-years and older were
in the labor force. They constituted nearly 4 percent of the U.S. labor
force.
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In Utah during 2008, roughly 16 percent of the 65-plus
population were in the labor force. They constitute nearly 3 percent of the
Utah labor force.
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In 2008, 3.9 percent of older Americans were unemployed
compared to 4.2 percent of the total labor force.
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Labor force participation rates of older men have fallen
dramatically since 1950 when they registered 46 percent. Today, only 21
percent of 65-plus men are in the labor force.
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After decreasing between the 1950s and the 1980s, labor force
participation for older Americans plateaued during the first half of the
1990s. However, during the last decade, labor force participation has been
gradually rising—especially among those between the ages of 65 and 69.
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As older workers continue to work, they are more likely to
work part-time. About 10 percent of men aged 55-64 work part-time compared to
almost half of employed men over 70.
