According to a new 2010 Census brief, the U.S. population aged 65 and older grew at a faster rate than the total population between 2000 and 2010. The brief describes where these individuals are living and demographic data related to this rapidly growing population.

The report: The Older Population: 2010 was based on the results of the 2010 Census. The bureau found a rapid increase in the senior population. Between 2000 and 2010, the population 65 and older grew 15.1 percent, compared to a 9.7 percent growth of the US population. The 65-69 age group grew the fastest, at 30.4 percent growth, while the 75-79 age group was the only age group over the age of 65 to decline, with a decrease of 1.3 percent. The South had the overall highest number of seniors, at 14.9 million, while the northeast has the largest percentage, at 14.1 percent. The West showed the fastest growth in its 65 and older population as well as its 85 and older population specifically. The older population was more likely to live in a metropolitan or micropolitan area, but a disproportionate percentage of those 65 and older lived outside these areas. 



The number of older men increased at a faster rate than the number of older women. The only five year age group that females experienced a larger growth rate than men was for those aged 100 and over. Women still greatly outnumbered men though. There were approximately twice as many women as men at age 89, a disparity that increased in older groups. This disparity was even greater in skilled nursing, where there were 2.5 times the number of women 65 and older as men. As a whole, 3.1 percent (40,267,984 men and women) of the total population aged 65 and older lived in skilled nursing.

Read the press release and complete brief, The Older Population: 2010, issued by the United States Census Bureau.


Suggested Articles:

Resources

• More senior living news articles
• Public policy news
• Press releases
• Subscribe