American Community Survey Briefs

The Centenarian Population: 2007–2011

INTRODUCTION

This brief provides an overview of the centenarian population living in the United States based on the 2007–

2011 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year data. 

It is a companion to the 2010 Census Special Report 

Centenarians: 2010, which focused on the count of 

centenarians, their sex, race, and Hispanic-origin 

characteristics, and their geographic distribution.1 This 

brief explores the social and economic characteristics 

collected annually in the ACS to provide information on 

the marital status, educational attainment, veteran status, income, and poverty levels of centenarians. Since 

centenarians represent a rare population, distinct from 

the rest of the older population in many ways, they are 

compared to the 65 years and older population.

Centenarians, people 100 years or older, made up 

a very small portion of the total population in the 

2007–2011 ACS, accounting for 55,000 people (0.02 

percent). By comparison, the 65 years and over population accounted for 40 million people or 13 percent of 

the total population. The majority of centenarians were 

female (81 percent). Women were also the majority of 

the 65 years and over population (57 percent). This 

disproportionately female representation in both the 

65 years and over and centenarian populations was 

expected, since sex differences in mortality over time 

contribute to higher percentages of females than males 

at older ages.

1 See the 2010 Census Special Report Centenarians: 2010, at 

<www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/reports/c2010sr-03.pdf>.

AGE QUESTION

Since the inception of the ACS in 1996, age has been 

asked of all persons living in a household. When group 

quarters were included in the survey universe in 2006, 

age was asked of all persons in group quarters as 

well.2 The data on age were derived from answers to a 

two-part question in which respondents were asked to 

give an age in whole, completed years as of the interview date as well as the month, day, and year of birth. 

Both age and date of birth were used in combination 

to determine the most accurate age at the time of the 

interview.

Data on age are used to determine the applicability of 

other questions for a particular individual (e.g., education and income) and to classify characteristics in tabulations. Age data are needed to interpret most social 

and economic characteristics used to plan and analyze 

programs and policies. Age is central for many federal 

programs that target funds or services to children, 

working-age adults, women of childbearing age, or the 

older population. For more information on age, see the 

American Community Survey 2011 Subject Definitions.

3

2 Group Quarters are places where people live or stay in a group 

living arrangement that is owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents. Nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities are one type of group quarters. For more 

information on group quarters, see <www.census.gov/acs/www

/Downloads/data_documentation/GroupDefinitions/2011GQ

_Definitions.pdf>. 3 See “Age” on pages 46–48 of the American Community Survey 

2011 Subject Definitions, available at <www.census.gov/acs/www

/Downloads/data_documentation/SubjectDefinitions

/2011_ACSSubjectDefinitions.pdf>.

Issued April 2014

ACSBR/12-18

By Brian Kincel 

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

census.gov
2 U.S. Census Bureau

CHARACTERISTICS OF 

CENTENARIANS IN THE 

UNITED STATES

This section examines the centenarian population compared with 

the population 65 years and over. 

Since it has already been noted that 

the centenarian population is overwhelmingly female, comparisons 

will be made by sex when helpful. 

Marital Status

Figure 1 shows that most centenarians reported being widowed 

(82 percent). Another 6 percent 

of centenarians were married, 4 

percent were divorced, 0.4 percent 

were separated, and 7 percent 

were never married.4 As expected, 

because of their younger age, 

the percentage widowed of the 

65 years and over population (29 

percent) was much smaller than 

that of the centenarian population. Over half of the 65 years and 

over population were married (54 

percent). The percentage divorced 

of the 65 years and over population 

(11 percent) was more than double 

the percentage of the centenarian population (4 percent). The 

percentage separated of the 65 

years and over population was also 

higher than that of the centenarian 

population (1 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively). The percentage 

never married of the 65 years and 

over population (5 percent) was 

lower than that of the centenarian 

population (7 percent).

Looking at marital status by sex, 

men in the centenarian population 

were more likely than women to 

be married (Table 1). Twenty-three 

percent of centenarian males were 

married, compared with 3 percent 

of females. Sixty-five percent of 

centenarian males were widowed, 

compared with 85 percent of 

females. A similar pattern existed 

4 The percentage of married centenarians 

and the percentage of never married centenarians were not significantly different. 

for men and women who were 

65 years and over. Seventy-one 

percent of males 65 years and 

over were married, compared with 

41 percent of females. Thirteen 

percent of males 65 years and over 

were widowed, compared with 41 

percent of females. 

Figure 1. 

Marital Status for the 100 Years and Over and 

65 Years and Over Populations: 2007–2011

(In percent. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality 

protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/acs/www/)

Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007–2011, Table S0103 

Population 65 Years and Over in the United States, and unpublished tabulation.

Now married,

except

separated

Widowed

82

6 4 4

7 7 7

0.4 0.7 0.4 3 4

23

65

23

85

Divorced Separated Never

Married

Both Sexes Males Females

29

54

11 10

5 5 5

1 1 1

12

41

71

13

41

Both Sexes Males Females

100 Years and Over

65 Years and Over
U.S. Census Bureau 3

Table 1.

Demographic and Social Characteristics for the 100 Years and Over and 65 Years and 

Over Populations: 2007–2011

(Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs

/www)

Characteristic

Population 100 years and over Population 65 years and over

Number

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Number

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1

TOTAL

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,956 1,603 100.00 X 39,608,820 4,840 100.00 X

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,312 711 100.00 X 17,009,215 2,650 100.00 X

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,644 1,381 100.00 X 22,599,605 3,358 100.00 X

MARITAL STATUS

Now married, except separated

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,537 434 6.44 0.75 21,488,938 69,217 54.25 0.17

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,377 328 23.05 3.05 12,147,399 23,247 71.42 0.15

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,160 217 2.60 0.48 9,341,539 47,744 41.33 0.20

Widowed

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,813 1,319 81.54 1.04 11,583,629 48,244 29.25 0.11

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,715 586 65.12 3.02 2,252,165 15,382 13.24 0.09

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,098 1,189 85.34 1.00 9,331,464 34,745 41.29 0.15

Divorced

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,454 319 4.47 0.57 4,269,691 23,419 10.78 0.06

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456 147 4.42 1.38 1,615,270 10,297 9.50 0.05

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,998 288 4.48 0.64 2,654,421 15,342 11.75 0.06

Separated

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 117 0.42 0.22 454,742 4,588 1.15 0.01

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 72 0.72 0.70 219,324 3,270 1.29 0.02

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 76 0.36 0.17 235,418 3,188 1.04 0.02

Never married

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,919 443 7.13 0.74 1,811,820 9,258 4.57 0.03

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690 190 6.69 1.78 775,057 5,094 4.56 0.03

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,229 403 7.23 0.83 1,036,763 6,706 4.59 0.03

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Less than high school2

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,477 1,040 42.72 1.44 9,195,553 24,169 23.22 0.07

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,440 489 43.06 3.75 3,775,954 12,638 22.20 0.08

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,037 905 42.64 1.48 5,419,599 16,277 23.98 0.07

High school diploma or GED

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,915 803 27.14 1.14 13,594,862 21,981 34.32 0.06

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,212 355 21.45 2.87 4,999,760 13,326 29.39 0.08

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,703 700 28.45 1.21 8,595,102 14,720 38.03 0.07

Some college or associate’s degree

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,319 470 15.14 0.87 8,615,214 21,511 21.75 0.06

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,459 221 14.15 2.15 3,674,881 12,593 21.61 0.07

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,860 402 15.37 0.88 4,940,333 13,570 21.86 0.06

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,245 602 15.00 0.95 8,203,191 19,042 20.71 0.05

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,201 306 21.34 2.51 4,558,620 12,968 26.80 0.08

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,044 509 13.54 1.06 3,644,571 9,947 16.13 0.04

VETERAN STATUS

Veteran

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,918 389 5.31 0.71 9,162,715 15,249 23.13 0.04

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,695 383 26.13 3.27 8,903,318 14,990 52.34 0.10

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 79 0.50 0.18 259,397 3,083 1.15 0.02

Nonveteran

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,038 1,606 94.69 0.71 30,446,105 13,586 76.87 0.04

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,617 623 73.87 3.27 8,105,897 14,363 47.66 0.10

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,421 1,374 99.50 0.18 22,340,208 4,344 98.85 0.02

X Not applicable. 1

 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the margin of error 

in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent 

confidence interval. 2

 This category refers to those who completed any level of education less than a high school diploma or GED, including those with no schooling completed.

Note: Percentages may not add to 100.00 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007–2011, Table S0103 Population 65 Years and Over in the United States, and unpublished 

tabulation.
4 U.S. Census Bureau

Educational Attainment

Centenarians displayed a broad 

range of educational attainment 

(Figure 2). The largest group, 43 

percent, reported receiving less 

than a high school diploma or GED, 

while just over a quarter were high 

school graduates (27 percent).5

Fifteen percent of centenarians 

reported having some college 

education or an associate’s degree, 

while another 15 percent earned at 

least a bachelor’s degree or higher.6

The 65 years and over population 

displayed higher educational attainment than centenarians. The largest group was high school graduates, accounting for over one-third 

of the 65 years and over population 

(34 percent). The 65 years and over 

population had larger percentages 

with some college education or an 

associate’s degree (22 percent) and 

with a bachelor’s degree or higher 

(21 percent) than the centenarian 

population. Additionally, 23 percent 

of the 65 years and over population 

reported earning less than a high 

school diploma or GED, compared 

with 43 percent of centenarians.

Men in both age groups were more 

likely than women to attain a bachelor’s degree or higher. Twenty-one 

percent of centenarian men earned 

a bachelor’s degree or higher compared with 14 percent of centenarian women. There was a slightly 

larger gap in the 65 years and over 

age group, with 27 percent of men 

and 16 percent of women earning a 

bachelor’s degree or higher. Centenarian males and females displayed 

similar percentages reporting some 

college or an associate’s degree, 

with 14 percent for males and 15 

5 The “less than a high school diploma or 

GED” category refers to those who completed 

any level of education less than a high school 

diploma or GED, including those with no 

schooling completed. 6 The percentage of centenarians with 

some college or an associate’s degree was not 

significantly different from the percentage 

of centenarians with a bachelor’s degree or 

higher. 

percent for females.7 Both men 

and women 65 years and over had 

higher percentages at this level 

of educational attainment with 22 

percent each for men and women 

reporting some college or an associate’s degree. 

Women were more likely than 

men to conclude their educational 

attainment with a high school 

7 The percentage of centenarian males 

with some college or an associate’s degree 

was not significantly different from the 

percentage of centenarian females with some 

college or an associate’s degree.

diploma or GED in both age groups. 

Twenty-eight percent of centenarian women and 38 percent of 

women 65 years and over reported 

having a high school diploma or 

GED, compared with 21 percent 

and 29 percent for men in respective age groups. Forty-three percent 

of both men and women 100 years 

and over had received less than a 

high school education.8 Males and 

8 The difference between the percentage 

of centenarian males and females that earned 

less than a high school diploma or GED was 

not significant.

Figure 2. 

Educational Attainment for the 100 Years and Over 

and 65 Years and Over Populations: 2007–2011

(In percent. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality 

protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/acs/www/)

Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007–2011, Table S0103 

Population 65 Years and Over in the United States, and unpublished tabulation.

Less than

high school

43 43 43

27

21 21

15 15 14 15 14

23

28

High school

diploma or 

GED

Some college

or associate’s

degree

Bachelor’s

degree or

higher

Both Sexes Males Females

23 24

34

29 27

22

16

22 21 22 22

38

Both Sexes Males Females

100 Years and Over

65 Years and Over
U.S. Census Bureau 5

females 65 years and over reported 

substantially smaller percentages 

of less than a high school education, at 22 percent and 24 percent, 

respectively. 

Veteran Status

Five percent of all centenarians 

were veterans. Since this age 

group was predominantly female in 

2007–2011, and far fewer women 

than men served during World War 

II, this results in a lower percentage 

of veterans for the entire population 100 years and older. The 65 

years and over population is not 

as disproportionately female as 

the centenarian population, contributing to a higher percentage of 

veterans at 23 percent. 

Males were more likely to be 

veterans than females in both the 

centenarian and 65 years and over 

populations. About one-quarter 

of centenarian men (26 percent) 

were veterans compared with less 

than 1 percent of women. Fifty-two 

percent of men 65 years and over 

were veterans compared with 1 

percent of women. 

Income

Turning to income, Table 2 shows 

that 83 percent of the centenarian 

population received Social Security 

income, while less than about onequarter received retirement income 

(24 percent).9, 10 The 65 years 

and over population displayed a 

higher percentage of those receiving Social Security income (88 

percent) as well as retirement 

income (38 percent). The mean 

Social Security income ($11,933) 

9 Individuals can receive income from 

more than one source. 10 Retirement income includes retirement 

pensions, survivor benefits, and disability 

income. See “Income in the Past 12 Months” 

starting on page 78 of the American 

Community Survey 2011 Subject Definitions, 

available at <www.census.gov/acs/www

/Downloads/data_documentation

/SubjectDefinitions/ 2011_ACSSubject

Definitions.pdf>.

and retirement income ($13,408) 

amounts were lower for centenarians than for the 65 years and over 

population ($12,605 and $18,643, 

respectively).11

Centenarian males were less likely 

to report Social Security income 

and more likely to report retirement income than centenarian 

females. Seventy-seven percent of 

centenarian men compared with 

84 percent of centenarian women 

received Social Security income. 

Thirty percent of centenarian males 

compared with 23 percent of centenarian females received retirement 

income. In the 65 years and over 

population, similar percentages of 

males and females received Social 

Security income, at 88 percent 

and 87 percent, respectively. The 

percentage of males 65 years and 

over reporting retirement income 

(45 percent) was higher than that 

of their female counterparts (32 

percent).

Regardless of age, men displayed 

higher mean Social Security and 

retirement incomes. Male centenarians received a mean Social 

Security income of $13,137 and 

a mean retirement income of 

$17,516, compared with $11,678 

and $12,190, respectively, for 

centenarian females. Males 65 

years and over received a mean 

Social Security income of $14,711 

and a mean retirement income of 

$22,793, compared with $11,006 

and $14,152, respectively, for 

females.

11 The mean of a particular type of income 

is obtained by dividing the total amount of 

that income for persons within their age 

group by the total number of those receiving said income within their age group. See 

“Mean Income” on page 81 of the American 

Community Survey 2011 Subject Definitions, 

available at <www.census.gov/acs/www

/Downloads/data_documentation/Subject

Definitions/ 2011_ACSSubjectDefinitions

.pdf>.

Poverty

Although the majority of centenarians for whom poverty status was 

determined were above the poverty 

line, 17 percent lived in poverty.12

This was larger than the 9 percent 

of the 65 years and over population that lived in poverty. While the 

difference between the percentages 

of centenarian men (19 percent) 

and women (17 percent) living in 

poverty was not significant, the 

corresponding difference between 

men (7 percent) and women (11 

percent) for the 65 years and over 

population was significant. 

CONCLUSION

Centenarians made up a very small 

portion of the total population, 

representing a rare group. The centenarian population was 81 percent 

female and this affected some characteristics. Most centenarians were 

widowed. Centenarians reported a 

broad range of educational attainment. The majority of centenarians 

received retirement and/or Social 

Security income and lived above 

the poverty line. In many aspects, 

the centenarian population shared 

comparable trends with the 65 

years and over population.

SOURCE AND ACCURACY

The data presented in this report 

are based on the ACS sample 

interviewed from January 2007 

through December 2011. The 

estimates based on this sample 

describe the actual average values 

of person, household, and housing 

unit characteristics over this period 

of collection. Sampling error is the 

uncertainty between an estimate 

based on a sample and the corresponding value that would be 

12 See “Poverty Status in the Past 12 

Months” on page 102 of the American 

Community Survey 2011 Subject Definitions, 

available at <www.census.gov/acs/www

/Downloads/data_documentation/Subject

Definitions/ 2011_ACSSubjectDefinitions

.pdf>.
6 U.S. Census Bureau

Table 2.

Economic Characteristics for the 100 Years and Over and 65 Years and Over Populations: 

2007–2011

(Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs

/www)

Characteristic

Population 100 years and over Population 65 years and over

Number

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin 

of error 

(±)1 Number

Margin 

of error 

(±)1 Percent

Margin 

of error 

(±)1

TOTAL

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,956 1,603 100.00 X 39,608,820 4,840 100.00 X

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,312 711 100.00 X 17,009,215 2,650 100.00 X

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,644 1,381 100.00 X 22,599,605 3,358 100.00 X

INCOME2

With earnings

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,592 347 2.90 0.59 7,391,100 18,127 18.66 0.05

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869 247 8.43 2.13 4,125,707 9,993 24.26 0.06

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723 171 1.62 0.37 3,265,393 13,159 14.45 0.06

With retirement income, survivor or disability pensions

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,394 647 24.37 0.99 14,858,232 42,986 37.51 0.11

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,063 352 29.70 2.72 7,722,013 18,346 45.40 0.10

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,331 646 23.14 1.22 7,136,219 28,362 31.58 0.11

With cash public assistance income

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,359 233 2.47 0.44 402,636 5,266 1.02 0.02

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 80 1.89 0.78 130,847 2,409 0.77 0.02

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,164 207 2.61 0.47 271,789 3,777 1.20 0.02

With Social Security income

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,602 1,381 82.98 1.18 34,786,890 20,060 87.83 0.04

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,953 611 77.12 3.35 15,013,697 10,613 88.27 0.06

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,649 1,213 84.33 1.12 19,773,193 14,028 87.49 0.07

With Supplemental Security income

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,203 397 7.65 0.72 1,671,184 7,893 4.22 0.02

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 726 198 7.04 1.96 564,076 4,318 3.32 0.03

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,477 375 7.79 0.81 1,107,108 5,969 4.90 0.03

Mean earnings3

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,050 16,231 X X 37,013 152 X X

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,086 18,031 X X 46,985 239 X X

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,602 29,815 X X 24,414 121 X X

Mean retirement income, survivor or disability pensions3

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,408 1,193 X X 18,643 43 X X

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,516 3,543 X X 22,793 65 X X

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,190 835 X X 14,152 58 X X

Mean cash public assistance income3

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,086 2,004 X X 4,308 71 X X

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,092 4,459 X X 4,867 117 X X

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,252 2,215 X X 4,038 74 X X

Mean Social Security income 3

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,933 196 X X 12,605 11 X X

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,137 509 X X 14,711 10 X X

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,678 195 X X 11,006 15 X X

Mean Supplemental Security income3

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,069 347 X X 7,244 25 X X

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,919 1,141 X X 8,227 46 X X

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,892 357 X X 6,743 27 X X

POVERTY

Individuals in poverty for whom poverty was determined

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,231 533 17.35 1.31 3,593,580 13,708 9.39 0.04

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,591 364 18.96 3.75 1,157,487 6,304 6.97 0.04

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,640 441 16.86 1.35 2,436,093 11,760 11.24 0.06

X Not applicable. 1

 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the margin of error in 

relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. 2

 Individuals can receive income from more than one source. 3

 Mean values are shown in dollar amounts.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007–2011, Table S0103 Population 65 Years and Over in the United States, and unpublished 

tabulation.
U.S. Census Bureau 7

obtained if the estimate were based 

on the entire population (as from 

a census). Measures of sampling 

error are provided in the form of 

margins of error for key estimates 

included in this report. All comparative statements in this report 

have undergone statistical testing, 

and comparisons are significant at 

the 90 percent level unless otherwise noted. In addition to sampling 

error, nonsampling error may be 

introduced during any of the operations used to collect and process 

survey data such as editing, reviewing, or keying data from questionnaires. For more information on 

sampling and estimation methods, 

confidentiality protection, and 

sampling and nonsampling errors, 

please see the ACS Multiyear Accuracy of the Data document located 

at <www.census.gov/acs/www

/Downloads/data_documentation

/Accuracy/MultiyearACSAccuracy

ofData2011.pdf>.

WHAT IS THE AMERICAN 

COMMUNITY SURVEY?

The ACS is a nationwide survey 

designed to provide communities 

with reliable and timely demographic, social, economic, and 

housing data for the nation, states, 

congressional districts, counties, 

places, and other localities every 

year. It has an annual sample size 

of about 3.3 million addresses 

across the United States and Puerto 

Rico and includes both housing 

units and group quarters (e.g., 

nursing facilities and prisons). The 

ACS is conducted in every county 

throughout the nation, and every 

municipio in Puerto Rico, where 

it is called the Puerto Rico Community Survey. Beginning in 2006, 

data were released for geographic 

areas with populations of 65,000 

and greater. For information on the 

ACS sample design and other topics, visit <www.census.gov/acs

/www>.