A meeting
with the National Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F.
Kennedy designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation
to pay tribute to older people across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy
Carter’s proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to
celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition.
Below are some factoids from the US Census Bureau, with local data included in parens. To read more statistics about Older American's Month, visit the Census Bureau's Newsroom.
The Numbers
43.1 million - The
number of people who were 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2012.
(38,268 in OC; 11,027 in HC) This group accounted for 13.7 percent of the total population. (16.3% in OC;
17.1% in HC)
92.0 million - Projected
population of people 65 and older in 2060. (In 2040, projected to be 47,574 in OC; 14,614 in HC) People in
this age group would comprise just over one in five U.S. residents at that
time. (21.8% in OC; 27.9% in HC in 2040) Of this number, 18.2 million would be
85 or older. (In 2040, projected to be 8,421
in OC; 3,393 in HC)
Income and Poverty
$33,848 - The 2012
median income of households with householders 65 and older, not significantly
different from the previous year. ($33,592 in OC; $28,170 in HC)
9% - The
percent of people 65 and older (3.9 million) who were in poverty in 2012.
(9.5% in OC; 10.8% in HC)
Serving Our Nation
9.6 million - Estimated
number of people 65 and older who were veterans of the armed forces in 2012. (8,946
in OC; 2,589 in HC)
Jobs: Older Workforce Members 1990-2012
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Education
82.6% - Proportion
of people 65 and older in 2013 who had completed high school or higher
education. (78% in both OC and HC)
25.3% - Percentage
of the population 65 and older in 2013 who had earned a bachelor’s degree or
higher. (16% in OC; 17% in HC)
Marital Status and Living Arrangements
58% - Percentage
of people 65 and older who were married in 2013. (49% in both OC and HC)
26% - Percentage
of people 65 and older in 2013 who were widowed. (32% in OC; 31% in HC)
Centenarians
53,364 - The
number of people age 100 and older counted by the 2010 Census. (58 in OC; 7 in
HC)
