A Profile

of 

Older Americans: 2003 

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+ - 2002 

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

 Figure 3: Living Arrangements of Persons 65+: 2002 

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

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

Figure 4: Persons 65+ as Percentage of Total Population by State: 2002 (US Map) 

Figure 5: Percentage Increase in Population 65+ by State: 2002 (US Map) 

Figure 6: The 65+ Population by State: 2002 (table) 

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

 Figure 7: Percent Distribution by Income: 2002 

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

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

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

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

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

Disability and Activity Limitations ............................................................ 13 

 Figure 8: Percent With Disabilities, By Age: 1997 

Special Topic: Net Worth of Older Households .............................................. 15 

 Figure 9: Median Net Worth of Households with Householder 65+: 2000 

Notes ................................................................................................. 16 
Highlights *

• The older population (65+) numbered 35.6 million in 2002, an increase of 3.3 million or 

10.2% since 1992.

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

increased by 38% during this decade. 

• About one in every eight, or 12.3 percent, of the population is an older American. 

• Over 2.0 million persons celebrated their 65th birthday in 2002. 

• Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.1 years (19.4 

years for females and 16.4 years for males). 

• Older women outnumber older men at 20.8 million older women to 14.8 million older 

men. 

• Older men were much more likely to be married than older women--73% of men vs. 41% 

of women (Figure 2). Almost half of all older women in 2002 were widows (46%). 

• About 31 percent (10.5 million) of noninstitutionalized older persons live alone (7.9 

million women, 2.6 million men). 

• Half of older women age 75+ live alone. 

• Almost 400,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their 

grandchildren who lived with them. 

• By the year 2030, the older population will more than double to 71.5 million. 

• The 85+ population is projected to increase from 4.6 million in 2002 to 9.6 million in 

2030. 

• Members of minority groups are projected to represent 26.4 percent of the older 

population in 2030, up from 16.4 percent in 2000. 

• The median income of older persons in 2002 was $19,436 for males and $11,406 for 

females. Median money income of all households headed by older people (after 

adjusting for inflation) fell by –1.4% from 2001 to 2002; however, this difference was not 

statistically significant. 

• The Social Security Administration reported that the major sources of income for older 

people was: 

o Social Security (reported by 91 percent of older persons), 

o Income from assets (reported by 58 percent), 

o Public and private pensions (reported by 40 percent), and 

o Earnings (reported by 22 percent). 

• About 3.6 million older persons lived below the poverty level in 2002. The poverty rate 

for older persons was 10.4% in 2002 which is not statistically different from the rate in 

2001. Another 2.2 million or 6.4% of the elderly were classified as "near-poor" (income 

between the poverty level and 125% of this level). 

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

on 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 35.6 million in 2002 (the most recent year 

for which data are available). They represented 12.3% of the U.S. population, about one in every eight 

Americans. The number of older Americans increased by 3.3 million or 10.2% since 1992, compared to 

an increase of 13.5% for the under-65 population. However, the number of Americans aged 45-64 – who 

will reach 65 over the next two decades – increased by 38% during this period. 

In 2002, there were 20.8 million older women and 14.8 million older men, or a sex ratio of 141 women 

for every 100 men. The female to male sex ratio increases with age, ranging from 116 for the 65-69 age 

group to a high of 230 for persons 85 and over. 

Since 1900, the percentage of Americans 65+ has tripled (from 4.1% in 1900 to 12.3% in 2002), and the 

number has increased eleven times (from 3.1 million to 35.6 million). The older population itself is 

getting older. In 2002, the 65-74 age group (18.3 million) was eight times larger than in 1900, but the 75-

84 group (12.7 million) was more than 16 times larger and the 85+ group (4.6 million) was almost 38 

times larger. 

In 2001, persons reaching age 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 18.1 years (19.4 years 

for females and 16.4 years for males). 

A child born in 2001 could expect to live 77.2 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 past two decades have also seen reduced death rates for the population aged 65-84, especially for men 

– by 29.0% for men aged 65-74 and by 22.5% for men aged 75-84. Life expectancy at age 65 increased 

by only 2.5 years between 1900 and 1960, but has increased by 3.8 years from 1960 to 2001. 

Over 2.0 million persons celebrated their 65th birthday in 2002. In the same year, about 1.8 million 

persons 65 or older died. Census estimates showed an annual net increase of approximately 249,000. 

There were 50,364 persons aged 100 or more in 2002 (0.02% of the total population). This is a 35% 

increase from the 1990 figure of 37,306. 

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

and the National Center for Health Statistics). 

- 2-
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. 

By 2030, there will be about 71.5 million older persons, more than twice their number in 2000. People 

65+ represented 12.4% of the population in the year 2000 but are expected to grow to be 20% of the 

population by 2030. The 85+ population is projected to increase from 4.6 million in 2002 to 9.6 million 

in 2030. 

Minority populations are projected to represent 26.4% of the elderly population in 2030, up from 17.2% 

in 2002. Between 2000 and 2030, the white** population 65+ is projected to increase by 77% compared 

with 223% for older minorities, including Hispanics (342%), African-Americans** (164%), American 

Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts** (207%), and Asians and Pacific Islanders** (302%). 

Figure 1: Number of Persons 65+,

1900 - 2030 (numbers in millions)

3.1 4.9 9

16.7

25.7 31.2 35 40.2

54.6

71.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030

Year (as of July 1)

Note: Increments in years are uneven. 

(Sources: Projections of the Population by Age are taken from the January 2004 Census Internet 

Release. Historical data are taken from "65+ in the United States," Current Population Reports, 

Special Studies, P23-190 Data for 2000 are from the 2000 Census and 2002 data are taken from the 

Census estimates for 2002.) 

- 3- 
Marital Status

In 2002, older men were much more likely to be married than older women--73% of men, 41% of women 

(Figure 2). Almost half of all older women in 2002 were widows (46%). There were over four times as 

many widows (8.9 million) as widowers (2.0 million). 

Divorced and separated (including married/spouse absent) older persons represented only 10% of all older 

persons in 2002. However, this percentage has increased since 1980, when approximately 5.3% of the 

older population were divorced or separated/spouse absent. 

Figure 2: Marital Status of Persons 65+ - 2002

41% 46%

4%

10% 14%

4%

9%

73%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Married Widowed Divorced or

Separated/

Spouse

Absent

Single (never

married)

Women Men

(Based on Internet releases of data from the 2002 Current Population Survey of the U.S. Bureau of the 

Census) 

- 4 - 
Living Arrangements

Over half (53.6%) the older noninstitutionalized persons lived with their spouse in 2002. Approximately

10.2 million or 72% of older men, and 7.8 million or 40% of older women, lived with their spouse 

(Figure 3). The proportion living with their spouse decreased with age, especially for women. Only 28.8% 

of women 75+ years old lived with a spouse.  

About 30% (10.5 million) of all noninstitutionalized older persons in 2002 lived alone (7.9 million 

women, 2.6 million men). They represented 41% of older women and 18% of older men. The proportion 

living alone increases with advanced age. Among women aged 75 and over, for example, half (49.4%) 

lived alone (in 2000). 

About 633,000 grandparents aged 65 or over maintained households in which grandchildren were present 

in 1997. In addition, 510,000 grandparents over 65 years lived in parent- maintained households in which 

their grandchildren were present. In 2000, almost 400,000 grandparents over 65 years old were the 

persons with primary responsibility for their grandchildren who lived with them. 

While a relatively small number (1.56 million) and percentage (4.5%) of the 65+ population lived in 

nursing homes in 2000, the percentage increases dramatically with age, ranging from 1.1% for persons 

65-74 years to 4.7% for persons 75-84 years and 18.2% for persons 85+. In addition, approximately 5%

of the elderly lived in self-described senior housing of various types, many of which have supportive 

services available to their residents. 

Figure 3: Living Arrangements of Persons 65+: 2002 

Women

40%

41%

19%

living with spouse

living alone 

Other

 

Men

72%

18%

10%

living with spouse

living alone 

Other

 

(Based on data from U.S. Bureau of the Census. See: March 2002 Current Population Survey 

Internet releases. See also: "America’s Families and Living Arrangements; Population 

Characteristics: June, 2001, Current Population Reports, P20-537” and “The 65 Years and Over 

Population: 2000, Census 2000 Brief, October, 2001” as well as other Census 2000 data and 

unpublished data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.) 

- 5 - 
Racial and Ethnic Composition

In 2002, 17.24% of persons 65+ were minorities--8.1% were African-Americans,**  2.7% were Asian or 

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

origin (who may be of any race) represented 5.5% of the older population. In addition, 0.5% of persons 

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

Only 6.7% of minority race and Hispanic populations were 65+ in 2002 (8.2% of African-Americans,** 

8.18% of Asians and Pacific Islanders,** 6.6% of American Indians and Native Alaskans,** 5.1% of 

Hispanics), compared with 15.0% of whites.** 

(Data for this section were compiled from Internet releases of the Census 2002 Estimates).

Geographic Distribution

In 2002, about half (52%) of persons 65+ lived in nine states. California had over 3.7 million; Florida 2.9 

million; New York 2.5 million; Texas 2.2 million; and Pennsylvania 1.9 million. Ohio, Illinois, 

Michigan, and New Jersey each had well over 1 million (Figure 6). 

Person 65+ constituted approximately 14% or more of the total population in 9 states in 2002 (Figure 6): 

Florida (17.1%); Pennsylvania (15.5%); West Virginia (15.3%); North Dakota (14.8%); Iowa (14.7%); 

Rhode Island (14.2%); Maine (14.4); South Dakota (14.2); and Arkansas (13.9%). In nine states, the 65+ 

population increased by 20% or more between 1992 and 2002 (Figure 6): Nevada (63.8%); Alaska 

(53.6%); Arizona (35.2%); New Mexico (28.4%); Colorado (24.3%); Hawaii (24.0%); Delaware 

(24.0%); Utah (23.7%) and South Carolina (20.7%). The ten jurisdictions with the highest poverty 

rates for elderly over the period 2000-2002 were the District of Columbia (18.8%); Mississippi (17.9%); 

Alabama (15.2%); Tennessee (14.6%); North Carolina (14.0%); Arkansas (15.2%); New Mexico 

(13.8%); Texas (13.7%); Louisiana (13.2%); and Kentucky (12.4%). 

Most persons 65+ lived in metropolitan areas in 2002 (77.4%). About 50% of older persons lived in the 

suburbs, 27.4% lived in central cities, and 22.6% lived in nonmetropolitan areas. 

The elderly are less likely to change residence than other age groups. In the five year period from 1995 to 

2000, 22.8% of older persons had moved (compared to 47.7% of persons under 65). Most older movers 

(59.7%) stayed in the same county while only 18.8% (of the movers) moved to another state. The 85+ 

segment of the older population had a much high rate of moving. During this period, 32.3% of the 85+ 

population moved, 61.1% of them within the same county. 

(Data for this section and for Figure 4 were compiled primarily from the Census Population Estimates 

for 2002 as well as other Internet releases of the U.S. Bureau of the Census including tables from the 

March 2002 Current Population Survey and “Internal Migration of the Older Population: 1995 to 

2000,” Census 2000 Special Report, CENSR-10, August 2003). 

- 6 - 
Figure 4: Persons 65+ as a Percentage of Total Population - 2002 

Based on Census 2002 Population Estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census 

- 7 - 
Figure 5: Percentage Increase in Population 65+ -- 1992 to 2002 

Based on Census 2002 Population Estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census

- 8 - 
Figure 6: The 65+ Population by State 2002

Numbers 

Number of 

Persons 

Percent of All 

Ages 

Percent 

Increase 

1992-2002 

Percent Below 

Poverty 2000-

2002 

 US Total (50 States + DC) 35,601,911 12.3% 10.2% 10.2

 Alabama 588,542 13.1% 9.6% 15.2

 Alaska 39,200 6.1% 53.6% 6.3

 Arizona 701,243 12.9% 35.2% 7.5

 Arkansas 376,387 13.9% 5.6% 15.2

 California 3,716,836 10.6% 13.8% 8.4

 Colorado 434,472 9.6% 24.3% 8.2

 Connecticut 472,314 13.6% 3.7% 6.5

 Delaware 105,488 13.1% 24.0% 6.5

 District of Columbia 68,534 12.0% -11.1% 18.8

 Florida 2,854,838 17.1% 15.2% 10.0

 Georgia 813,652 9.5% 19.3% 12.6

 Hawaii 166,910 13.4% 24.0% 8.1

 Idaho 151,141 11.3% 19.3% 6.6

 Illinois 1,499,249 11.9% 2.2% 8.6

 Indiana 757,451 12.3% 5.8% 8.9

 Iowa 432,785 14.7% 0.4% 8.4

 Kansas 355,094 13.1% 1.7% 7.9

 Kentucky 509,476 12.4% 7.0% 12.4

 Louisiana 520,446 11.6% 8.4% 13.2

 Maine 186,383 14.4% 10.8% 11.2

 Maryland 616,699 11.3% 14.1% 11.1

 Massachusetts 863,695 13.4% 2.9% 10.6

 Michigan 1,231,920 12.3% 6.8% 9.3

 Minnesota 601,741 12.0% 7.4% 9.0

 Mississippi 346,251 12.1% 6.1% 17.9

 Missouri 757,197 13.3% 3.5% 6.8

 Montana 122,806 13.5% 11.8% 9.6

 Nebraska 232,134 13.4% 2.8% 9.2

 Nevada 240,255 11.1% 63.8% 8.0

 New Hampshire 152,577 12.0% 16.9% 6.8

 New Jersey 1,121,197 13.1% 5.9% 8.4

 New Mexico 221,454 11.9% 28.4% 13.8

 New York 2,473,510 12.9% 4.0% 11.8

 North Carolina 998,391 12.0% 17.9% 14.0

 North Dakota 94,076 14.8% 1.6% 11.5

 Ohio 1,513,372 13.3% 4.2% 7.5

 Oklahoma 460,459 13.2% 6.1% 11.6

 Oregon 443,968 12.6% 8.5% 6.0

 Pennsylvania 1,908,962 15.5% 1.8% 8.4

 Rhode Island 152,286 14.2% -0.6% 11.4

 South Carolina 503,256 12.3% 20.7% 14.2

 South Dakota 108,322 14.2% 4.4% 10.3

 Tennessee 719,177 12.4% 12.7% 14.6

 Texas 2,152,896 9.9% 19.3% 13.7

 Utah 199,041 8.6% 23.7% 10.1

 Vermont 79,241 12.9% 16.6% 10.5

 Virginia 817,441 11.2% 17.4% 9.8

 Washington 677,532 11.2% 13.0% 7.9

 West Virginia 275,974 15.3% 1.0% 10.6

 Wisconsin 706,418 13.0% 5.9% 8.0

 Wyoming 59,222 11.9% 19.4% 7.9

 Puerto Rico 449,176 11.6%

Population data is from the Census Bureau Population Estimates and poverty data is from the Current Population 

Survey, 2001, 2002, and 2003 Annual Social and Economic Supplements. 

- 9 - 
Income

The median income of older persons in 2002 was $19,436 for males and $11,406 for females. Median 

money income of all households headed by older people fell by –1.4% from 2001 to 2002; however, this 

difference was not statistically significant. 

Households containing families headed by persons 65+ reported a median income in 2002 of $33,802

($35,219 for non-Hispanic Whites, $26,174 for African-Americans, $38,533 for Asians, and $25,123 for 

Hispanics). About one of every nine (11.6%) family households with an elderly householder had incomes 

less than $15,000 and 48.0% had incomes of $35,000 or more (Figure 7). 

Figure 7: Percent Distribution by Income: 2002* 

Family Households 65+ Householder

4.5%

20.9%

7.1%

19.6%

15.3%

14.3%

18.4%

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

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

$33,802 median for 11.7 million family households 65+ 

Persons 65+ Reporting Income

21.4%

7.9%

6.9%

24.7%

9.9%

22.5%

6.8%

0% 10% 20% 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

$14,251 median for 33.3 million persons 65+ reporting income 

- 10 - 
For all older persons reporting income in 2002 (33.3 million), 31.5% reported less than $10,000. Only 

24.7% reported $25,000 or more. The median income reported was $14,251. 

The major sources of income as reported by the Social Security Administration for older persons in 2001 

were Social Security (reported by 91% of older persons), income from assets (reported by 58%), public 

and private pensions (reported by 40%), earnings (reported by 22%), public assistance (reported by 5%) 

and veterans’ benefits (reported by 4%). In 2000, Social Security benefits accounted for 38% of the 

aggregate income of the older population. The bulk of the remainder consisted of earnings (23%), assets 

(18%), and pensions (17%). 

(Based on data from Current Population Reports, "Money Income in the United States: 2002," 

P60-221, issued September, 2002, by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, related Census detailed tables on 

the Census web site, and from Income of the Aged Chartbook, 2001 and Fast Facts and Figures About 

Social Security, 2002, Social Security Administration)

Poverty

About 3.6 million elderly persons (10.4%) were below the poverty level in 2002. This poverty rate was 

not statistically different from the poverty rate in 2001. The historic lowest level of 9.7% reached in 

1999. Another 2.2 million or 6.4% of the elderly were classified as "near-poor" (income between the 

poverty level and 125% of this level). 

One of every twelve (8.3%) elderly Whites was poor in 2002, compared to 23.8% of elderly AfricanAmericans and 21.4% of elderly Hispanics. Higher than average poverty rates for older persons were 

found among those who lived in central cities (12.2%), outside metropolitan areas (i.e. rural areas) 

(11.9%), and in the South (12.7%). 

Older women had a higher poverty rate (12.4%) than older men (7.7%) in 2002. Older persons living 

alone were much more likely to be poor (19.2%) than were older persons living with families (6.0%). 

The highest poverty rates (47.1%) were experienced by older Hispanic women who lived alone. 

(Based on data from Current Population Reports, "Poverty in the United States: 2002," P60-229, 

Issued September, 2003 and related Internet releases of the U.S. Bureau of the Census).

Housing

Of the 21.8 million households headed by older persons in 2001, 80% were owners and 20% were renters. 

The median family income of older homeowners was $23,409. The median family income of older renters 

was $12,233. In 2001, 41% of older householders spent more than one-fourth of their income on housing 

costs, compared to 39% of for householders of all ages. 

For homes occupied by older householders in 2001, the median year of construction was 1963 (it was 

1970 for all householders) and 5.4% had physical problems. 

In 2001, the median value of homes owned by older persons was $107,398, compared to a median home 

value of $123,887 for all homeowners. About 73% of older homeowners in 2001 owned their homes free 

and clear. 

(Source: "American Housing Survey for the United States in 2001, Current Housing Reports" 

H150/01.)

- 11 - 
Employment 

In 2002, 4.5 million (13.2 %) Americans age 65 and over were in the labor force (working or actively 

seeking work), including 2.5 million men (17.9%) and 1.9 million women (9.8%). They constituted 3.1% 

of the U.S. labor force. About 3.6% were unemployed. Labor force participation of men 65+ decreased 

steadily from 2 of 3 in 1900 to 15.8% in 1985, and has stayed at 16%-18% since then. 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, and has 

been around 8%-10% since 1988. 

(Source: 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 2002, the percentage who 

had completed high school rose from 28% to 70% Almost 17% in 2002 had a bachelor's degree or more. 

The percentage who had completed high school varied considerably by race and ethnic origin in 2002: 

74% of Whites**, 68% of Asians and Pacific Islanders**, 51% of African-Americans**, and 35% 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 (formerly the Annual 

Demographic Survey), 2002 and related tables on the Census Bureau web site)

Health and Health Care

In 2003, 38.6% of noninstitutionalized older persons assessed their heath as excellent or very good 

(compared to 66.6% for persons aged 18-64). There was little difference between the sexes on this 

measure, but older African-Americans (57.7%) and older Hispanics (60.5%) were less likely to rate their 

health as excellent or good than were older Whites (75.4%).***** Most older persons have at least one 

chronic condition and many have multiple conditions. Among the most frequently occurring conditions of 

elderly in 2000-2001 were: hypertension (49.2%), arthritic symptoms (36.1%), all types of heart disease 

(31.1%), any cancer (20.0), sinusitis (15.1%), and diabetes (15.0). 

Almost 67% reported that they received an influenza vaccination during the past 12 months and 55% 

reported that they had ever received a pneumococcal vaccination. About 22% (of persons 60+) report 

height/weight combinations that place them among the obese. Over 27% of persons aged 65-74 and 17% 

of persons 75+ report that they engage in regular leisure-time physical activity. Only 9% reported that 

they are current smokers and only 4% reported excessive alcohol consumption. Only 2.5% reported that 

they had experienced psychological distress during the past 30 days. 

In 2002, over 12.5 million persons aged 65 and older were discharged from hospitals. This is a rate of 

3,549 for every 10,000 persons aged 65+ which is more than three times the comparable rate for persons 

aged 45-64 (which was 1,121 per 10,000). The average length of stay for persons aged 65+ was 5.8 days; 

the comparable rate for persons aged 45-64 was 5.0 days. The average length of stay for older people has 

decreased almost 5 days since 1980. Older persons averaged more office visits with doctors in 2001 – 6.2 

for those aged 65-74 and 7.4 for persons over 75 while persons aged 45-65 averaged only 3.8 office visits 

during that year. Almost 97% of older persons reported that they did have a usual place to go for medical 

- 12 - 
care and only 2.5% said that they failed to obtain needed medical care during the previous 12 months due 

to financial barriers. 

In 2002, older consumers averaged $3,586 in out-of-pocket health care expenditures, an increase of 45% 

since 1992. In contrast, the total population spent considerably less, averaging $2,350 in out-of-pocket 

costs. Older Americans spent 12.8%of their total expenditures on health, more than twice the proportion 

spent by all consumers (5.8%). Health costs incurred on average by older consumers in 2001 consisted of 

$1,886 (53%) for insurance, $955 (27%) for drugs, $582 (16%) for medical services, and $163 (5%) for 

medical supplies. 

(Sources: Health United States: 2003; Advanced Data From Vital and Health Statistics and other data 

releases from the National Center for Health Statistics web site; and the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

web site) 

Disability and Activity Limitations 

In 1997, more than half of the older population (54.5%) reported having at least one disability of some

type (physical or nonphysical). Some of these disabilities may be relatively minor but others cause 

people to require assistance to meet important personal needs. Over a third (37.7%) reported at least one 

severe disability. The percentages with disabilities increase sharply with age (Figure 8). Disability takes a 

much heavier toll on the very old. Almost three-fourths (73.6%) of those aged 80+ report at least one 

disability. Over half (57.6%) of those aged 80+ had one or more severe disabilities and 34.9% of the 80+ 

population reported needing assistance as a result of disability. There is a strong relationship between 

disability status and reported health status. Among those 65+ with a severe disability, 68.0% reported 

their health as fair or poor. Among the 65+ persons who reported no disability, only 10.5% reported their 

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

educational attainment. 

Figure 8: Percent With Disabilities, By Age: 1997 

Figure 8: Percent with Disabilities, by

Age

57.7

38

57.6

34.9

8.1

30.7

44.9

46.6

10.5

28.3

16.9

73.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% with any

disability

% with

severe

disability

% need

assistance

65-69

70-74

75-79

80+

- 13 -
In another study which focused on the ability to perform specific activities of daily living (ADLs), 

over 27.3% of community-resident Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 in 1999 had difficulty in 

performing one or more ADLs and an additional 13.0% reported difficulties with instrumental activities 

of daily living (IADLs). By contrast, 93.3% of institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries had difficulties 

with one or more ADLs and 76.3% 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 on 

activities because of chronic conditions increase with age. Among those 65-74 years old, 19.9 percent 

had difficulties with ADLs. In contrast, over half (52.5%) of these 85 years and older had difficulties 

with ADLs. 

It should be noted that (except where noted) the figures above are taken from surveys of the 

noninstitutionalized elderly. Although nursing homes are being increasingly used for short-stay postacute care, about 1.6 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: Current Population Reports, "Americans with Disabilities, 1997" P70-73, February 2001 

and related Internet data; Internet releases of the Census Bureau and the National Center on Health 

Statistics)

- 14 - 
Special Topic: Net Worth of Older Households 

The net worth (assets minus liabilities) of households increases with age until age 74 and declines 

somewhat from age 75. The median net worth of the elderly households (with a householder aged 65+) in 

2000 was $108,885 as compared to $55,000 for the total population. The largest asset type is home 

ownership which accounts for $85,516 or 78.5% of this net worth. Over 78% of elderly households own 

their own home. Other major asset types owned by the elderly include: stock and mutual funds (29%), 

regular checking accounts (31%), interest-earning accounts at financial institutions (71%), IRA and 

Keogh accounts (25%), and motor vehicles (78%). 

There are major differences in the median net worth of different household types. Elderly married couple 

households have a median net worth of $173,950 ($57,586 when home equity is 

excluded). Male households have a median net worth of $84,000 ($15,375) when home equity is 

excluded). Female households have a median net worth of $76,000 ($10,475 when home equity is 

excluded). 

This household net worth is not found in all segments of the elderly population. 70% of elderly 

households have a net worth of at least $50,000 and another 8.4 % have a net worth of $25,000 

to $49,999. On the other hand, about 21.5% of elderly households have a net worth of less than $25,000 

– 6.7% have a zero or negative net worth and another 6.6% have a net worth of $1-4,999. 

Figure 9: Median Net Worth of Households with Householder 65+: 2000 

Median Net Worth: 2000

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

Total

Under 35

35-4445-5455-6465-6970-74

75+

Median Net Worth ..Excluding home equity

(Source: Current Population Reports: Net Worth and Asset Ownership of Households: 1998 

and 2000, P70--88, May 2003 and related tables 

(http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/wealth/1998_2000/wealth98_00.html) ) 

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Notes: 

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

***Calculated on the basis of the official poverty definitions for the years 2000-2002 

  Census 2000 figure 

** *** 2000 figure 

A Profile of Older Americans: 2003 was prepared 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 2003 

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 administer by 56 State and Territorial 

Units on Aging, 655 Area Agencies on Aging, 226 Native American and Hawaiian organizations, and 

more than 29,000 local service providers. 

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