A Profile
 

of 

Older Americans: 2010 

Administration on Aging 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Table of Contents 

Highlights.................................................................................................... 1 

The Older Population..................................................................................... 2 

Future Growth............................................................................................. 3 

Figure 1: Number of Persons 65+, 1900 - 2030 (numbers in millions) 

Marital Status.............................................................................................. 4 

Figure 2: Marital Status of Persons 65+ - 2009 

Living Arrangements..................................................................................... 5 

Figure 3: Living Arrangements of Persons 65+: 2009 

Racial and Ethnic Composition.......................................................................... 6 

Geographic Distribution.................................................................................. 6 

Figure 4: Persons 65+ as Percentage of Total Population by State: 2009 (US Map) 

Figure 5: Percentage Increase in Population 65+ by State: 1997 to 2009 (US Map) 

Figure 6: The 65+ Population by State: 2009 (table) 

Income ..................................................................................................... 10 

Figure 7: Percent Distribution by Income: 2009 

Poverty ..................................................................................................... 11 

Housing ................................................................................................... 11 

Employment .............................................................................................. 12 

Education ................................................................................................. 12 

Health and Health Care ................................................................................. 12 

Health Insurance Coverage .............................................................................. 13 

Figure 8: Sources of Health Insurance Coverage of Persons 65+: 2009 

Disability and Activity Limitations .................................................................... 14 

Figure 9: Percent of Persons with Limitations in Activities of Daily Living 

by Age Group: 2007 

Caregiving .................................................................................................. 15 

Notes ......................................................................................................... 15 
 

 

 

Highlights*
 

•	 The older population (65+) numbered 39.6 million in 2009, an increase of 4.3 million or 12.5% 

since 1999. 

•	 The number of Americans aged 45-64 – who will reach 65 over the next two decades – increased 

by 26% during this decade. 

•	 Over one in every eight, or 12.9%, of the population is an older American. 

•	 Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.6 years (19.9 years 

for females and 17.2 years for males). 

•	 Older women outnumber older men at 22.7 million older women to 16.8 million older men. 

•	 In 2009, 19.9% of persons 65+ were minorities--8.3% were African-Americans.** Persons of 

Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) represented 7.0% of the older population. About 3.4% 

were Asian or Pacific Islander,** and less than 1% were American Indian or Native Alaskan.** 

In addition, 0.6% of persons 65+ identified themselves as being of two or more races. 

•	 Older men were much more likely to be married than older women--72% of men vs. 42% of 

women (Figure 2). 42% older women in 2009 were widows. 

•	 About 30% (11.3 million) of noninstitutionalized older persons live alone (8.3 million women, 

3.0 million men). 

•	 Half of older women (49%) age 75+ live alone. 

•	 About 475,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their 

grandchildren who lived with them. 

•	 The population 65 and over will increase from 35 million in 2000 to 40 million in 2010 (a 15% 

increase) and then to 55 million in 2020 (a 36% increase for that decade). 

•	 The 85+ population is projected to increase from 4.2 million in 2000 to 5.7 million in 2010 (a 

36% increase) and then to 6.6 million in 2020 (a 15% increase for that decade). 

•	 Minority populations are projected to increase from 5.7 million in 2000 (16.3% of the elderly 

population) to 8.0 million in 2010 (20.1% of the elderly) and then to 12.9 million in 2020 (23.6% 

of the elderly). 

•	 The median income of older persons in 2009 was $25,877 for males and $15,282 for females. 

Median money income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people 

rose 5.8% (statistically significant) from 2008 to 2009. Households containing families headed by 

persons 65+ reported a median income in 2009 of $43,702. 

•	 The major sources of income as reported by older persons in 2008 were Social Security (reported 

by 87% of older persons), income from assets (reported by 54%), private pensions (reported by 

28%), government employee pensions (reported by 14%), and earnings (reported by 25%). 

•	 Social Security constituted 90% or more of the income received by 34% of beneficiaries in 2008 

(21% of married couples and 43% of non-married beneficiaries). 

•	 Almost 3.4 million elderly persons (8.9%) were below the poverty level in 2009. This poverty 

rate is statistically different from the poverty rate in 2008 (9.7%). 

•	 About 11% (3.7 million) of older Medicare enrollees received personal care from a paid or unpaid 

source in 1999. 

*Principal sources of data for the Profile are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and 

the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Profile incorporates the latest data available but not all items are updated on an 

annual basis. 
The Older Population
 

The older population--persons 65 years or older--numbered 39.6 million in 2009 (the most recent year for 

which data are available). They represented 12.9% of the U.S. population, over one in every eight 

Americans. The number of older Americans increased by 4.3 million or 12.5% since 1999, compared to 

an increase of 12.3% for the under-65 population. However, the number of Americans aged 45-64 – who 

will reach 65 over the next two decades – increased by 26% during this period. 

In 2009, there were 22.7 million older women and 16.8 million older men, or a sex ratio of 135 women 

for every 100 men. The female to male sex ratio increases with age, ranging from 114 for the 65-69 age 

group to a high of 216 for persons 85 and over. 

Since 1900, the percentage of Americans 65+ has more than tripled (from 4.1% in 1900 to 12.9% in 

2009), and the number has increased almost thirteen times (from 3.1 million to 39.6 million). The older 

population itself is increasingly older. In 2008, the 65-74 age group (20.8 million) was 9.5 times larger 

than in 1900. In contrast, the 75-84 group (13.1 million) was 17 times larger and the 85+ group (5.6 

million) was 46 times larger. 

In 2007, persons reaching age 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 18.6 years (19.9 years 

for females and 17.2 years for males). A child born in 2007 could expect to live 77.9 years, about 30 years 

longer than a child born in 1900. Much of this increase occurred because of reduced death rates for 

children and young adults. However, the period of 1990-2007 also has seen reduced death rates for the 

population aged 65-84, especially for men – by 41.6% for men aged 65-74 and by 29.5% for men aged 

75-84. Life expectancy at age 65 increased by only 2.5 years between 1900 and 1960, but has increased 

by 4.2 years from 1960 to 2007. 

About 2.6 million persons celebrated their 65th birthday in 2009. In the same year, about 1.8 million 

persons 65 or older died. Census estimates showed an annual net increase of 770,699 in the number of 

persons 65 and over. 

There were 64,024 persons aged 100 or more in 2009 (0.2% of the total 65+ population).*** This is a 

72% increase from the 1990 figure of 37,306. 

(Data for this section were compiled primarily from Internet releases of the U.S. Census Bureau and 

the National Center for Health Statistics/Health Data Interactive). 

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Figure 1: Number of Persons 65+,
 

1900 - 2030 (numbers in millions)
 

80
 

70
 

60
 

50
 

40
 

30
 

20
 

10
 

0
 

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
 

Year (as of July 1) 

3.1 4.9 9 

16.6 

25.5 

31.2 35 

40.2 

54.8 

72.1 

Note: Increments in years are uneven. 

(Sources: Projections for 2010 through 2050 are from: Table 12. Projections of the Population by Age 

and Sex for the United States: 2010 to 2050 (NP2008-T12), Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau; 

Release Date: August 14, 2008. The source of the data for 1900 to 2000 is Table 5. Population by Age 

and Sex for the United States: 1900 to 2000, Part A. Number, Hobbs, Frank and Nicole Stoops, U.S. 

Census Bureau, Census 2000 Special Reports, Series CENSR-4, Demographic Trends in the 20th 

Century. The figures for 2008 are from the U.S. Census Bureau 2008 population estimates. ) 

Future Growth 

The older population will continue to grow significantly in the future (see Figure 1). This growth slowed 

somewhat during the 1990's because of the relatively small number of babies born during the Great 

Depression of the 1930's. But the older population will burgeon between the years 2010 and 2030 when 

the "baby boom" generation reaches age 65. 

The population 65 and over will increase from 35 million in 2000 to 40 million in 2010 (a 15% increase) 

and then to 55 million in 2020 (a 36% increase for that decade). By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million 

older persons, almost twice their number in 2008. People 65+ represented 12.9% of the population in the 

year 2009 but are expected to grow to be 19.3% of the population by 2030. The 85+ population is 

projected to increase from 5.6 million in 2009 to 5.8 million in 2010 and then to 6.6 million in 2020 

(15%) for that decade. 

Minority populations are projected to have increased from 5.7 million in 2000 (16.3% of the elderly 

population) to 8.0 million in 2010 (20.1% of the elderly) and then to 12.9 million in 2020 (23.6% of the 

elderly). Between 2010 and 2030, the white** population 65+ is projected to increase by 59% compared 

with 160% for older minorities, including Hispanics (202%), African-Americans** (114%), American 

Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts** (145%), and Asians and Pacific Islanders** (145%). 

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Figure 2: Marital Status of Persons 65+, 2009 

80%
 

70%
 

60%
 

50%
 

40%
 

30%
 

20%
 

10%
 

0%
 

Married Widowed Divorced or Single (never
 

Separated/ married)
 

Spouse Absent
 

41% 

13% 

4% 

42% 

72% 

11% 

4% 

13% 

Women Men 

Marital Status

In 2009, older men were much more likely to be married than older women--72% of men, 42% of women 

(Figure 2). Widows accounted for 41% of all older women in 2009. There were over four times as many 

widows (8.9 million) as widowers (2.1 million). 

Divorced and separated (including married/spouse absent) older persons represented only 11.9% of all 

older persons in 2009. However, this percentage has increased since 1980, when approximately 5.3% of 

the older population were divorced or separated/spouse absent. 

(Based on Internet releases of data from the 2009 Current Population Survey, Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement of the U.S. Census Bureau) 

- 4 -
Men 

19% 

9% 

72% 

living with spouse 

living alone 

Other 

Wom en 

42% 

19% 

39% 

living with spouse

living alone 

Other 

Living Arrangements 

Over half (54.8%) the older noninstitutionalized persons lived with their spouse in 2009. Approximately 

11.4 million or 72.0% of older men, and 8.7 million or 40.7% of older women, lived with their spouse 

(Figure 3). The proportion living with their spouse decreased with age, especially for women. Only 28.2% 

of women 75+ years old lived with a spouse. 

About 30.1% (11.4 million) of all noninstitutionalized older persons in 2009 lived alone (8.3 million 

women, 3.0 million men). They represented 38.8% of older women and 18.7% of older men. The 

proportion living alone increases with advanced age. Among women aged 75 and over, for example, half 

(49%) lived alone. 

Approximately 716,000 grandparents aged 65 or over maintained households in which grandchildren 

were present in 2009. (Another 262,000 elderly were spouses of such people.) In addition, about 942,000 

grandparents over 65 years lived in parent-maintained households in which their grandchildren were 

present. A total of about 1.91 million older people lived in household with a grandchild present in the 

house. About 475,000 of these grandparents over 65 years old were the persons with primary 

responsibility for their grandchildren who lived with them. 

A relatively small number (1.6 million) and percentage (4.1%) of the 65+ population in 2009 lived in 

institutional settings such as nursing homes (1.4 million). However, the percentage increases dramatically 

with age, ranging (in 2007) from 0.9% for persons 65-74 years to 3.5% for persons 75-84 years and 

14.3% for persons 85+. In addition, approximately 2.4% of the elderly lived in senior housing with at 

least one supportive service available to their residents. 

Figure 3: Living Arrangements of Persons 65+, 2009 

(Based on data from U.S. Census Bureau including the 2009 Current Population Survey, Annual 

Social and Economic Supplement and the 2009 American Community Survey. See: March 2009 

Current Population Survey Internet releases, Detailed Tables and unpublished data from the 2007 

Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.) 

- 5 -
Racial and Ethnic Composition 

In 2009, 19.9% of persons 65+ were minorities--8.3% were African-Americans.** Persons of Hispanic 

origin (who may be of any race) represented 7.0% of the older population. About 3.4% were Asian or 

Pacific Islander,** and less than 1% were American Indian or Native Alaskan.** In addition, 0.6% of 

persons 65+ identified themselves as being of two or more races. 

Only 7.3% of all the people who were minority race or of Hispanic ethnicity were 65+ in 2009 (8.8% of 

African-Americans,** 5.7% of Hispanics, 9.6% of Asians and Pacific Islanders,** 8.5% of American 

Indians and Native Alaskans,**), compared with 15.9% of non-Hispanic whites.** 

(Data for this section were compiled from Internet releases of the Census 2009 Population Estimates). 

Geographic Distribution 

The proportion of older persons in the population varies considerably by state with some states 

experiencing much greater growth in their older populations (Figures 4 and 5). In 2009, over half (56.5%) 

of persons 65+ lived in 11 states: California (4.1 million; Florida (3.2 million); New York (2.6 million); 

Texas (2.5 million); Pennsylvania (1.9 million) and Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, 

and Georgia each had well over 1 million (Figure 6). 

Persons 65+ constituted approximately 14% or more of the total population in 13 states in 2009 (Figure 

6): Florida (17.2%); West Virginia (15.8%); Maine (15.6%); Pennsylvania (15.4%); Iowa (14.8%); North 

Dakota (14.7%); Montana (14.6%); Hawaii (14.5%); South Dakota (14.5%); Vermont (14.5%); Arkansas 

(14.3%); Delaware (14.3%); and Rhode Island (14.3%). In 11 states, the 65+ population increased by 

25% or more between 1999 and 2009 (Figure 6): Alaska (52.1 %); Nevada (47.9 %); Arizona (37.9 %); 

Utah (35.3 %); Georgia (33.3 %); Idaho (32.0 %); South Carolina (31.7 %); Colorado (30.9 %); New 

Mexico (30.7 %); Delaware (29.1 %); Texas (25.9 %). The ten jurisdictions with the highest poverty 

rates for elderly during 2009 were: Mississippi (15.0%); District of Columbia (14.6%); Kentucky 

(12.7%); Louisiana (12.4%); New Mexico (12.2%); Arkansas (12.0%); Georgia (11.9%); Texas (11.8%); 

North Dakota (11.5%); New York (11.3%). 

Most persons 65+ lived in metropolitan areas in 2009 (80.6%). About 72% of these older persons lived 

outside the principal cities and 28% lived in principal cities. Also, 19% of older persons lived in 

nonmetropolitan areas. 

The elderly are less likely to change residence than other age groups. From 2008 to 2009, only 3.4% of 

older persons moved as opposed to 13.8% of the under 65 population. Most older movers (62.7%) stayed 

in the same county and 83.7% remained in the same state. Only 16.3% of the movers moved out-of-state. 

(Data for this section and for Figures 4-6 were compiled primarily from the Census Population 

Estimates for 2009 as well as other Internet releases of the U.S. Census Bureau including tables from 

the March 2009 Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement and the 2009 

American Community Survey) 

- 6 -
- 7 -
- 8 -
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 6: The 65+ Population by State 2009 

Numbers 

Number of 

Persons 65 and 

Older 

Percent of 

All Ages 

Percent 

Increase from 

1999 to 2009 

Percent 

Below 

Poverty 2009 

 US Total (50 States + DC) 39,570,590 12.9% 14.6% 8.9% 

 Alabama 

 Alaska 

 Arizona

 Arkansas 

 California 

651,049 

52,849 

866,734 

413,681 

4,148,055 

13.8% 

7.6% 

13.1% 

14.3% 

11.2% 

14.6% 

52.1% 

37.9% 

14.5% 

13.7% 

11.3% 

3.2% 

8.4% 

12.0% 

8.7% 

 Colorado 

 Connecticut 

 Delaware 

District of Columbia 

Florida

 533,580 

488,055 

126,693 

70,184 

3,195,841 

10.6% 

13.9% 

14.3% 

11.7% 

17.2% 

30.9% 

4.2% 

29.1% 

-2.7% 

16.6% 

8.6% 

6.4% 

6.5% 

14.6% 

10.2% 

 Georgia 

 Hawaii 

 Idaho 

Illinois 

 Indiana 

1,014,814 

188,180 

187,418 

1,594,473 

828,591 

10.3% 

14.5% 

12.1% 

12.4% 

12.9% 

33.3% 

16.2% 

32.0% 

6.6% 

11.5% 

11.9% 

7.3% 

8.3% 

8.7% 

7.9% 

 Iowa

 Kansas 

 Kentucky

 Louisiana 

Maine 

444,294 

367,546 

570,336 

554,296 

205,617 

14.8% 

13.0% 

13.2% 

12.3% 

15.6% 

3.7% 

3.8% 

15.7% 

10.5% 

17.3% 

7.3% 

7.8% 

12.7% 

12.4% 

8.8% 

 Maryland 

 Massachusetts

 Michigan

 Minnesota 

 Mississippi 

694,796 

894,514 

1,339,772 

671,055 

376,913 

12.2% 

13.6% 

13.4% 

12.7% 

12.8% 

16.4% 

4.0% 

9.5% 

14.6% 

12.3% 

7.9% 

8.8% 

8.5% 

8.6% 

15.0% 

Missouri 

 Montana 

Nebraska 

 Nevada 

 New Hampshire 

822,425 

141,903 

240,630 

306,843 

179,247 

13.7% 

14.6% 

13.4% 

11.6% 

13.5% 

10.3% 

21.0% 

5.4% 

47.9% 

24.0% 

8.6% 

8.7% 

7.8% 

7.5% 

6.7% 

 New Jersey

 New Mexico 

 New York 

 North Carolina 

 North Dakota 

1,173,024 

261,342 

2,619,755 

1,192,025 

94,870 

13.5% 

13.0% 

13.4% 

12.7% 

14.7% 

5.8% 

30.7% 

7.8% 

24.8% 

2.7% 

7.9% 

12.2% 

11.3% 

10.0% 

11.5% 

 Ohio

 Oklahoma 

 Oregon 

 Pennsylvania 

 Rhode Island 

1,605,316 

495,962 

516,862 

1,946,266 

150,596 

13.9% 

13.5% 

13.5% 

15.4% 

14.3% 

6.9% 

10.5% 

18.8% 

2.5% 

-2.4% 

8.4% 

9.5% 

8.4% 

8.8% 

9.1% 

 South Carolina 

 South Dakota 

 Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 

623,223 

117,732 

840,953 

2,539,215 

251,159 

13.7% 

14.5% 

13.4% 

10.2% 

9.0% 

31.7% 

11.7% 

23.5% 

25.9% 

35.3% 

11.2% 

10.6% 

11.1% 

11.8% 

7.4% 

Vermont 

Virginia 

 Washington

 West Virginia

 Wisconsin

 Wyoming 

89,911 

960,090 

806,202 

287,557 

761,279 

66,867 

14.5% 

12.2% 

12.1% 

15.8% 

13.5% 

12.3% 

23.3% 

23.9% 

22.7% 

5.4% 

10.1% 

20.2% 

7.8% 

8.2% 

7.7% 

10.3% 

7.7% 

6.4% 

 Puerto Rico 559,403 14.1% ---N/A--- 40.1% 

 (Source: Population data is from the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 Population Estimates. State level poverty data is from the 

Census 2009 American Community Survey. National level poverty data is from the 2010 Current Population Survey/American 

Social and Economic Supplement.) 

- 9 -
Income 

The median income of older persons in 2009 was $25,877 for males and $15,282 for females. Median 

money income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people rose 5.8% 

(statistically significant) from 2008 to 2009. Households containing families headed by persons 65+ 

reported a median income in 2009 of $43,702 ($45,400 for non-Hispanic Whites, $32,820 for Hispanics, 

$35,049 for African-Americans, and $47,319 for Asians). About 6.3% of family households with an 

elderly householder had incomes less than $15,000 and 62.6% had incomes of $35,000 or more 

(Figure 7). 

Figure 7: Percent Distribution by Income: 2009 

Family Households 65+ Householder 

18.9% 

24.7% 

19.0% 

16.8% 

3.5% 

14.3% 

2.8% 

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 

Under $10,000 

$10,000 - $14,999 

$15,000 - $24,999 

$25,000 - $34,999 

$35,000 - $49,999 

$50,000 - $74,999 

$75,000 and over 

$43,702 median for 13.0 million family households 65+ 

Persons 65+ Reporting Income 

17.9% 

14.9% 

10.1% 

16.2% 

12.9% 

24.6% 

3.6% 

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 

Under $5,000 

$5,000 - $9,999 

$10,000 - $14,999 

$15,000 - $24,999 

$25,000 - $34,999 

$35,000 - $49,999 

$50,000 and over 

$19,167 median for 37.3 million persons 65+ reporting income 

- 10 -
For all older persons reporting income in 2009 (37.3 million), 19.8% reported less than $10,000 and 

37.8% reported $25,000 or more. The median income reported was $19,167. 

The major sources of income as reported by older persons in 2008 were Social Security (reported by 87% 

of older persons), income from assets (reported by 54%), private pensions (reported by 28%), government 

employee pensions (reported by 14%), and earnings (reported by 25%). In 2008, Social Security benefits 

accounted for 37% of the aggregate income of the older population. The bulk of the remainder consisted 

of earnings (30%), asset income (13%), and pensions (18%). Social Security constituted 90% or more of 

the income received by 34% of beneficiaries (21% of married couples and 43% of non-married 

beneficiaries). 

(Based on data from Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Income, 

Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009" P60-238, issued September, 2010 

by the U.S. Census Bureau, related Census detailed tables on the Census Bureau web site, and from 

Fast Facts and Figures About Social Security, 2010, Social Security Administration) 

Poverty 

Almost 3.4 million elderly persons (8.9%) were below the poverty level in 2009. This poverty rate is 

statistically different from the poverty rate in 2008 (9.7%). Another 2.1 million or 5.4% of the elderly 

were classified as "near-poor" (income between the poverty level and 125% of this level). 

One of every 15 elderly Whites** (6.6%) was poor in 2009, compared to 19.5% of elderly AfricanAmericans, 15.8% of Asians, and 18.3% of elderly Hispanics. Higher than average poverty rates were 

found in 2009 for older persons who lived in principal cities (11.5%), outside metropolitan areas (i.e. rural 

areas and small towns) (10.0%), and in the South (9.8%). 

Older women had a higher poverty rate (10.7%) than older men (6.6%) in 2009. Older persons living 

alone were much more likely to be poor (15.6%) than were older persons living with families (5.4%). The 

highest poverty rates were experienced among Hispanic women (44.6%) who lived alone and also by 

older Black women (33.0%) who lived alone. 

(Based on data from Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Income, 

Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009," P60-238, issued September, 

2010, by the U.S. Census Bureau and related Census detailed tables on the U.S. Census Bureau web 

site) 

Housing 

Of the 23.1 million households headed by older persons in 2009, 80% were owners and 20% were renters. 

The median family income of older homeowners was $30,400. The median family income of older renters 

was $15,744. In 2009, 48% of older householders spent more than one-fourth of their income on housing 

costs - 42% for owners and 70% for renters - as compared to 48% of all householders. 

For homes of older householders in 2007, the median construction year was 1970 (it was 1974 for all 

householders) and 4.3% of the homes had physical problems. In 2009, the median value of homes owned 

by older persons was $150,00 (with a median purchase price of $49,000) compared to a median home 

value of $170,500 for all homeowners. About 65% of older homeowners in 2009 owned their homes free 

and clear. 

(Source: American Housing Survey National Tables: 2009, U.S. Census Bureau web site) 

- 11 -
 

Employment 

In 2009, 6.5 million (17.2 %) Americans age 65 and over were in the labor force (working or actively 

seeking work), including 3.6 million men (21.9%) and 2.9 million women (13.6%). They constituted 

4.2% of the U.S. labor force. About 6.4% were unemployed. Labor force participation of men 65+ 

decreased steadily from 2 of 3 in 1900 to 15.8% in 1985; then stayed at 16%-18% until 2002; and has 

been increasing since then to over 20%. The participation rate for women 65+ rose slightly from 1 of 12 

in 1900 to 10.8% in 1956, fell to 7.3% in 1985, was around 7%-9% from 1986 – 2002. However, 

beginning in 2000, labor force participation of older women has been gradually rising to the 2009 level. 

This increase is especially noticeable among the population aged 65-69. 

(Source: Current Population Survey, labor force statistics. See: Bureau of Labor Statistics web-site: 

http://www.bls.gov/cps/home.htm) 

Education 

The educational level of the older population is increasing. Between 1970 and 2009, the percentage of 

older persons who had completed high school rose from 28% to 78.3%. About 21.7% in 2009 had a 

bachelor's degree or higher. The percentage who had completed high school varied considerably by race 

and ethnic origin in 2009: 83.1% of Whites**, 71.9% of Asians and Pacific Islanders, 63.8% of AfricanAmericans, and 45.9% of Hispanics. The increase in educational levels is also evident within these 

groups. In 1970, only 30% of older Whites and 9% of older African-Americans were high school 

graduates. 

(Source: Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2009 and related 

tables on the U.S. Census Bureau web site) 

Health and Health Care 

In 2009, 41.6% of noninstitutionalized older persons assessed their heath as excellent or very good 

(compared to 64.5% for all persons aged 18-64 years). There was little difference between the sexes on 

this measure, but older African-Americans** (25.1%), older American Indians/Alaska Natives (23.2%) 

and older Hispanics (28.0%) were less likely to rate their health as excellent or very good than were older 

Whites** (41.8%) or older Asians (35.2%)†. Most older persons have at least one chronic condition and 

many have multiple conditions. In 2006-2008, the most frequently occurring conditions among older 

persons were: hypertension (38%), diagnosed arthritis (50%), all types of heart disease (32%), any cancer 

(22%), diabetes (18%), and sinusitis (14%). 

Almost 67% reported in 2009 that they received an influenza vaccination during the past 12 months and 

61% reported that they had ever received a pneumococcal vaccination. About 27% (of persons 60+) 

report height/weight combinations that place them among the obese. Almost 32% of persons aged 65-74 

and 18% of persons 75+ report that they engage in regular leisure-time physical activity. Only 9.5% 

reported that they are current smokers and only 5% reported excessive alcohol consumption. Only 2% 

reported that they had experienced psychological distress during the past 30 days. 

In 2007, about 12.9 million persons aged 65 and older were discharged from short stay hospitals. This is a 

rate of 3,395 for every 10,000 persons aged 65+ which is about three times the comparable rate for 

persons of all ages (which was 1,149 per 10,000). The average length of stay for persons aged 65+ was 

- 12 -

† These figures are from 2006-2008 data. 
 

5.6 days; the comparable rate for persons of all ages was 4.8 days. The average length of stay for older 

people has decreased by 5 days since 1980. Older persons averaged more office visits with doctors in 

2007: 7.1 office visits for those aged 65 and over while persons aged 45-65 averaged only 3.7 office visits 

during that year. In 2009, almost 97% of older persons reported that they did have a usual place to go for 

medical care and only 2.6% said that they failed to obtain needed medical care during the previous 12 

months due to financial barriers. 

In 2009 older consumers averaged out-of-pocket health care expenditures of $4,846, an increase of 61% 

since 1999. In contrast, the total population spent considerably less, averaging $3,126 in out-of-pocket 

costs. Older Americans spent 12.9% of their total expenditures on health, more than twice the proportion 

spent by all consumers (6.4%). Health costs incurred on average by older consumers in 2009 consisted of 

$3,027 (63%) for insurance, $821 (17%) for medical services, $828 (17%) for drugs, and $170 (3.5%) for 

medical supplies. 

(Sources: Data releases from the web sites of the National Center for Health Statistics; and from the 

Bureau of Labor Statistics web site) 

Health Insurance Coverage 

In 2009, almost all (93.5%) non-institutionalized persons 65+ were covered by Medicare. Medicare 

covers mostly acute care services and requires beneficiaries to pay part of the cost, leaving about half of 

health spending to be covered by other sources. About 58% had some type of private health insurance. 

Over 8% had military-based health insurance and 9% of the non-institutionalized elderly were covered 

by Medicaid. Only 1.8% did not have coverage of some kind. About 86% of non-institutionalized 

Medicare beneficiaries in 2007 had some type of supplementary coverage. Among Medicare beneficiaries 

residing in nursing homes, over half (62%) were covered by Medicaid. 

Figure 8: 

Sources of Health Insurance Coverage 

of Persons 65+: 2009 (%) 

34 

58 

1. 8 

98 . 2 93. 9 93 . 5

9. 4 8. 3

27 . 1 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

10 0 

All types coverage 

Total private 

--employment-based 

--direct purchase 

Total government 

--Medicare 

--Medicaid 

--Military 

Not covered 

Note: Figure 8 data is for the non-institutionalized elderly. A person can be represented in 

more than one category. (Source: "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United 

States: 2009," P60-2386, issued September, 2010, by the U.S. Census Bureau. Medicare beneficiary 

data is from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey retrieved from the NCHS Health Data 

Interactive data warehouse) 

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Disability and Activity Limitations 

Some type of disability (i.e., difficulty in hearing, vision, cognition, ambulation, self-care, or independent 

living) was reported by 37% of older persons in 2009. Some of these disabilities may be relatively minor 

but others cause people to require assistance to meet important personal needs. In 2005, almost 37% of 

older persons reported a severe disability and 16% reported that they needed some type of assistance as a 

result. Reported disability increases with age. 56% of persons over 80 reported a severe disability and 

29% of the over 80 population reported that they needed assistance. There is a strong relationship 

between disability status and reported health status. Among those 65+ with a severe disability, 64% 

reported their health as fair or poor. Among the 65+ persons who reported no disability, only 10% 

reported their health as fair or poor. Presence of a severe disability is also associated with lower income 

levels and educational attainment. 

In another study which focused on the ability to perform specific activities of daily living (ADLs), over 

25% of community-resident Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 in 2007 had difficulty in performing one 

or more ADLs and an additional 14.6% reported difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living 

(IADLs). By contrast, 83% of institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries had difficulties with one or more 

ADLs and 67% of them had difficulty with three or more ADLs. [ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, 

and getting around the house. IADLs include preparing meals, shopping, managing money, using the 

telephone, doing housework, and taking medication.] Limitations in activities because of chronic 

conditions increase with age. As shown in Figure 9, the rate of limitations in activities among persons 85 

and older are much higher than those for persons 65-74. 

Figure 9: 

Percent of Persons with Limitations in Activities of Daily 

Living by Age Group: 2007 

0 

5 

10 

15 

20 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

Type of ADL 

Bathing/Showering 

Dressing 

Eating 

Getting in/out of bed/chairs 

Walking 

Using toilet 

65-74 

75-84 

85 years and over 

Except where noted, the figures above are taken from surveys of the noninstitutionalized elderly. 

Although nursing homes are being increasingly used for short-stay 

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post-acute care, about 1.3 million elderly are in nursing homes (about half are age 85 and over). These 

individuals often have high needs for care with their ADLs and/or have severe cognitive impairment due 

to Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. 

(Sources: Americans with Disabilities: 2005, December 2008, P70-117 and other Internet releases of 

data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and the National Center 

on Health Statistics, including the NCHS Health Data Interactive data warehouse) 

Caregiving 

About 11% (3.7 million) of older Medicare enrollees received personal care from a paid or unpaid source 

in 1999. Almost all community resident older persons with chronic disabilities receive either informal 

care (from family or friends) or formal care (from service provider agencies). Over 90% of these older 

persons with chronic disabilities received informal care and/or formal care; and about two thirds received 

only informal care. About 9% of this chronically disabled group received only formal services. 

(Source: National Long Term Care Survey, 1999) 

Notes: 

*Principal sources of data for the Profile are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health 

Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Profile incorporates the latest data available but not all 

items are updated on an annual basis. 

**Excludes persons of Hispanic origin. 

***The U.S. `Census Bureau 2009 Population Estimates release revised downward the previously issued 

estimates of the 100+ population for the decade beginning in 2000. 

A Profile of Older Americans: 2010 was developed by the Administration on Aging (AoA), U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services. The annual Profile of Older Americans was originally 

developed and researched by Donald G. Fowles, AoA. Saadia Greenberg, AoA, developed the 2010 

edition. 

AoA serves as an advocate for the elderly within the federal government and is working to encourage and 

coordinate a responsive system of family and community based services throughout the nation. AoA 

helps states develop comprehensive service systems which are administered by 56 State and Territorial 

Units on Aging, 629 Area Agencies on Aging, 246 Native American and Hawaiian organizations, and 

approximately 20,000 local service providers. 

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