2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 1

2019 

PROFILE OF OLDER 

AMERICANS

PUBLICATION DATE: MAY 2020

The Administration for Community Living, which includes 

the Administration on Aging, is an operating division of the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 2

Profile Notes

This report is prepared by the Administration on Aging (AoA), part of the 

Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services. 

AoA serves as an advocate for older adults 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 a national network of 56 state agencies on aging, 

629 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service 

providers, and 282 Title VI grantees representing over 

400 Federally recognized tribes, made up of 281 Tribal 

organizations and 1 Native Hawaiian organization.

The Profile 

incorporates the latest 

data available, but not 

all items are updated 

on an annual basis, so 

there is a combination 

of data ranging 

from 2015 to 2019 

presented herein. 

Principal sources of data are the U.S. Census Bureau, 

the National Center for Health Statistics, and the 

Bureau of Labor Statistics. A complete list of sources 

appears at the end of this report.

This report includes data on the American population age 65 and older unless 

otherwise noted. The phrases “older adults” and “older persons” refer to that 

population. Age-adjusted estimates are used when available. 

The data presented refer to the noninstitutionalized population except where noted.

Some numbers in this report may not add up due to rounding.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 3

Profile Highlights

• Over the past 10 years, the population age 65 and older increased from 38.8 

million in 2008 to 52.4 million in 2018 (a 35% increase) and is projected to 

reach 94.7 million in 2060. 

POPULATION GROWTH

38.8 MILLION (2008) 

52.4 MILLION (2018)

94.7 MILLION (2060)

• Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from 7.5 million in 2008 

(19% of the older adult population) to 12.3 million in 2018 (23% of older adults) 

and are projected to increase to 27.7 million in 2040 (34% of older adults). 

• The number of Americans age 45-64—who will reach age 65 during the next 

two decades—increased by 7% between 2008 and 2018.

• In 2018, more than one in every seven Americans is an older adult.

• There were 93,927 persons age 100 and older in 2018 (0.2% of the total age 65 

and older population). 

• In 2018, older women outnumber older men at 29.1 million older women to 23.3 

million older men.

23.3 MILLION OLDER MEN (2018)

29.1 MILLION OLDER WOMEN (2018)

• In 2018, 23% of persons age 65 and older were members of racial or ethnic 

minority populations: 9% were African Americans (not Hispanic), 5% were Asian 

(not Hispanic), 0.5% were American Indian and Alaska Native (not Hispanic), 

0.1% were Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (not Hispanic), and 0.8% of persons 

65 and older identified themselves as being of two or more races. Persons of 

Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) represented 8% of the older population. 
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 4

• In 2018, nearly 1 in 10 older adults (9.7%, or 5,146,000) lived below the poverty 

level. This poverty rate is not statistically different from the poverty rate among 

older adults in 2017 (9.2%). 

NEARLY 1 IN 10 OLDER ADULTS LIVE BELOW 

POVERTY LEVEL (2018)

• A larger percentage of older men (69%) were married as compared to older 

women (47%). In 2019, 31% of older women were widows.

• As of 2019, about 28% (14.7 million) of older persons lived alone (5 million men, 

9.7 million women). Among women age 75 and older, 44% lived alone.

• The median income of older persons in 2018 was $34,267 for men and 

$20,431 for women. The real median income (after adjusting for inflation) of all 

households headed by older people increased by 3.3% (which was statistically 

significant) between 2017 and 2018. Households containing families headed by 

persons age 65 and older reported a median income in 2018 of $64,023.

• The need for caregiving increases with age. In 2018, the percentage of older 

adults age 85 and older who needed help with personal care (21%) was more 

than twice the percentage for adults ages 75–84 (8%) and five times the 

percentage for adults ages 65–74 (4%).

• The 85 and older population is projected to more than double from 6.5 million in 

2018 to 14.4 million in 2040 (a 123% increase).

AGE 85 AND OVER PROJECTED GROWTH 

(IN MILLIONS)

 6.5 (2018)

 14.4 (2040)
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 5

The Older American Population

In the United States, the population age 65 and older numbered 52.4 million in 

2018 (the most recent year for which data are available). They represented 16% 

of the population, more than one in every seven Americans. The number of older 

Americans has increased by 13.7 million (or 35%) since 2008, compared to an 

increase of 4% for the under-65 population.

Between 2008 and 2018, the number of Americans age 45-64 (who will reach age 

65 over the next two decades) increased by 7% from 78.6 million to 83.9 million. 

The number of Americans age 60 and older increased by 34% from 54.1 million to 

72.8 million.

In 2018, 29.1 million women and 23.3 million men were over the age of 65. That’s 

125 women for every 100 men. At age 85 and older, this ratio increased to 181 

women for every 100 men. 

Since 1900, the percentage of Americans age 65 and older more than tripled (from 

4.1% in 1900 to 16% in 2018), and the number increased more than 16 times (from 

3.1 million to 52.4 million). The older population itself became increasingly older. 

In 2018, the 65-74 age group (30.5 million) was more than 13 times larger than in 

1900 (2,186,767); the 75-84 group (15.4 million) was 20 times larger (771,369), 

and the 85+ group (6.5 million) was more than 53 times larger (122,362).

In 2018, persons reaching age 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 

19.5 years (20.7 years for women and 18.1 years for men). A child born in 2018 

could expect to live 78.7 years, more than 30 years longer than a child born in 

1900 (47.3 years). 

In 2018, 3.7 million persons celebrated their 65th birthdays. Census Bureau 

population estimates showed an annual net increase 

between 2017 and 2018 of 917,687 people age 65.

Between 1980 and 2018, the centenarian population 

experienced a larger percentage increase than did the 

total population. 

There were 93,927 

persons age 100 and 

older in 2018 – almost 

triple the 1980 figure 

of 32,194.

Future Growth

The older population is expected to continue to grow significantly in the future. 

Growth slowed somewhat during the 1990s because of the relatively small number 

of babies born during the Great Depression of the 1930s. But the older population 

is beginning to burgeon again as more than one-third (36%) of the “baby boom” 

generation is now age 65 and older.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 6

The population age 65 and older increased from 38.8 million in 2008 to 52.4 million 

in 2018 (a 35% increase) and is projected to reach 94.7 million in 2060. By 2040, 

there will be about 80.8 million older persons, more than twice as many as in 2000.

People age 65 and older represented 16% of the 

population in the year 2018 but are expected to grow to be 

21.6% of the population by 2040.

The 85 and older population is projected to more than double from 6.5 million in 

2018 to 14.4 million in 2040 (a 123% increase).

Number of Persons Age 65 and Older 1900 to 2060 

(numbers in millions)

Note: Increments in years are uneven. Lighter bars (2020, 2040, and 2060) 

indicate projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates and Projections.

Racial and ethnic minority populations increased from 7.5 million in 2008 (19% 

of the older adult population) to 12.3 million in 2018 (23% of older adults) and are 

projected to increase to 27.7 million in 2040 (34% of older adults). Between 2018 

and 2040, the white (not Hispanic) population age 65 and older is projected to 

increase by 32% compared to 125% for older racial and ethnic minority populations, 

including Hispanics (175%), African Americans (not Hispanic) (88%), American Indian 

and Alaska Native (not Hispanic) (75%), and Asians (not Hispanic) (113%).
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 7

Marital Status

In 2019, a larger percentage of older men (69%) than older women (47%) 

were married. 

Widows accounted for 31% of all older women in 2019. There were more than 

three times as many widows (8.9 million) as widowers (2.6 million).

Divorced and separated older persons represented only 15% of 

all older persons in 2019, which is unchanged from 2018. However, this 

percentage has increased since 1980, when approximately 5% 

of the older population were divorced or separated/spouse absent.

Marital Status of Persons Age 65 and Older, 2019

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

Living Arrangements

Of the older adults living in the community, more than half (57%) of persons age 65 

and older lived with their spouse (including partner) in 2019. Approximately 17.3 

million or 72% of older men, and 14.1 million or 49% of older women, lived with 

their spouse. 

About 28% (14.7 million) of all older adults living in the community in 2019 lived alone 

(5 million men, 9.7 million women). They represented 21% of older men and 34% of 

older women. The proportion living alone increases with advanced age for both men 

and women. Among women age 75 and older, for example, 44% lived alone.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 8

Living Arrangements of Persons Age 65 and Older, 2019

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement 

1967 to present.

A relatively small number of people (1.2 million) age 65 and older lived in nursing 

homes in 2018. However, the percentage increases dramatically with age, ranging 

from 1% for persons ages 65-74 to 2% for persons ages 75-84 and 7% for 

persons over age 85. 

Racial and Ethnic Composition

In 2018, 23% of persons age 65 and older were members of racial or ethnic 

minority populations—9% were African Americans (not Hispanic), 5% were Asian 

(not Hispanic), 0.5% were American Indian and Alaska Native (not Hispanic), 0.1% 

were Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, (not Hispanic), 

and 0.8% of persons age 65 and older identified 

themselves as being of two or more races. 

Persons of Hispanic 

origin (who may be of 

any race) represented 

8% of the older 

population. 

Only 9% of all the people who were members of racial 

and ethnic minority populations were age 65 and older 

in 2018 compared to 20% of non-Hispanic whites. The 

percentage of people age 65 and older within each racial and ethnic minority group 

were as follows: 12% of African Americans (not Hispanic), 13% of Asians (not 

Hispanic), 10% of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (not Hispanic), 12% 

of American Indian and Alaska Native (not Hispanic), and 7% of Hispanics.

Geographic Distribution

The proportion of older persons in the population varied considerably by state, 

with some states experiencing much greater growth in their older populations. In 

2018, 51% of persons age 65 and older lived in 9 states: California (5.7 million); 

Florida (4.4 million); Texas (3.6 million); New York (3.2 million); Pennsylvania (2.3 

million); Ohio (2 million); Illinois (2 million); Michigan (1.7 million); and North Carolina 

(1.7 million). Georgia, New Jersey, Virginia, Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, 

Tennessee, Indiana, and Missouri each had more than 1 million people age 65 and 

older in 2018.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 9

About half of 

people 65 and 

older lived in one 

of 9 states.

The three states with the highest percentage of their populations age 65 and older 

in 2018 were Maine (21%), Florida (21%), and West Virginia (20%).

In three states, the age 65 and older population increased by 57% or more 

between 2008 and 2018: Alaska (69%), Nevada (57%), and Colorado (57%).

The 12 states with poverty rates at or above 10% for older adults during 2018 

were: District of Columbia (16.7%), New Mexico (13.3%), Louisiana (12.4%), 

Mississippi (12.4%), New York (11.8%), Rhode Island (11.2%), Texas (11.1%), 

Florida (10.6%), California (10.5%), Alabama (10.3%), North Dakota (10.3%), 

Arkansas (10.2%), Georgia (10.2%), Kentucky (10.2%), and West Virginia (10.0%).

A smaller percentage of older adults changed residence as compared with younger 

age groups. From 2018 to 2019, only 4% of older persons moved as opposed to 

11% of the population below the age 65. Most older movers (58%) stayed in the 

same county. The other older movers either remained in the same state (23%) or 

moved out-of-state or abroad (19%). 
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 10

Persons Age 65 and Older as a Percentage of Total Population 2018

Percent Increase in Population Age 65 and Older, 2008 to 2018

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 11

The 65 and Older Population by State, 2018

State Persons 

65+

% of 

Population

% Increase 

2008-2018

% Below 

Poverty

United States (50 States+DC) 52,431,193 16% 35% 9.7%

Alabama 826,894 17% 30% 10.3%

Alaska 87,011 12% 69% 6.7%

Arizona 1,258,250 18% 51% 8.6%

Arkansas 511,827 17% 25% 10.2%

California 5,669,025 14% 40% 10.5%

Colorado 808,229 14% 57% 7.4%

Connecticut 615,121 17% 25% 7.9%

Delaware 181,086 19% 46% 6.1%

District of Columbia 85,303 12% 28% 16.7%

Florida 4,358,071 21% 39% 10.6%

Georgia 1,460,409 14% 50% 10.2%

Hawaii 260,967 18% 41% 6.5%

Idaho 278,282 16% 51% 8.6%

Illinois 1,992,961 16% 27% 8.8%

Indiana 1,055,021 16% 29% 7.9%

Iowa 539,830 17% 21% 7.1%

Kansas 462,241 16% 26% 8.0%

Kentucky 730,626 16% 30% 10.2%

Louisiana 718,433 15% 34% 12.4%

Maine 275,999 21% 36% 9.1%

Maryland 931,136 15% 37% 7.3%

Massachusetts 1,139,100 17% 30% 9.1%

Michigan 1,716,604 17% 30% 9.0%

Minnesota 889,802 16% 35% 7.6%

Mississippi 474,475 16% 29% 12.4%

Missouri 1,033,964 17% 28% 8.2%

Montana 198,902 19% 42% 9.4%

Nebraska 303,666 16% 26% 7.6%

Nevada 476,181 16% 57% 9.8%

New Hampshire 245,645 18% 43% 5.5%

New Jersey 1,438,527 16% 24% 8.0%

New Mexico 366,189 18% 42% 13.3%

New York 3,213,534 16% 26% 11.8%

North Carolina 1,689,265 16% 44% 8.7%

North Dakota 116,637 15% 22% 10.3%
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 12

State Persons 

65+

% of 

Population

% Increase 

2008-2018

% Below 

Poverty

Ohio 1,995,022 17% 26% 8.6%

Oklahoma 619,553 16% 26% 8.7%

Oregon 738,691 18% 45% 7.9%

Pennsylvania 2,335,630 18% 21% 8.3%

Puerto Rico 661,215 21% 28% 38.2%

Rhode Island 182,254 17% 22% 11.2%

South Carolina 899,915 18% 51% 9.5%

South Dakota 146,854 17% 29% 9.0%

Tennessee 1,109,697 16% 36% 9.2%

Texas 3,602,320 13% 46% 11.1%

Utah 350,478 11% 48% 6.1%

Vermont 121,207 19% 38% 9.3%

Virginia 1,315,401 15% 41% 8.4%

Washington 1,164,232 15% 50% 7.2%

West Virginia 359,878 20% 23% 10.0%

Wisconsin 985,473 17% 30% 7.9%

Wyoming 95,375 17% 42% 7.3%

Notes: Poverty data for US total are from the Current Population Survey. Poverty 

data for states and Puerto Rico are from the American Community Survey.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates; Current Population Survey, Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement; American Community Survey.

Income

The median income of older persons in 2018 was $25,601. Men had a higher 

median income overall: $34,267 compared to $20,431 for women. From 2017 to 

2018, the real median income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed 

by older people increased by 3.3% which was statistically significant. Households 

containing families headed by persons age 65 and older reported a median income 

in 2018 of $64,023 ($67,904 for non-Hispanic Whites, $41,928 for Hispanics, 

$47,149 for African Americans, and $63,528 for Asians). About 5% of family 

households with an older adult householder had incomes less than $15,000 and 

77% had incomes of $35,000 or more.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 13

Percent Distribution by Income: 2018

Family Households with Age 65 and Older Householder, 2018

$64,023 median income for 18.4 million family households with age 65 and over 

householder.

Persons Age 65 and Older Reporting Income, 2018

$25,601 median income for 52.8 million persons 65 and older reporting income.

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

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

For all older persons reporting income in 2018 (52.8 million), 14% reported less 

than $10,000 and 52% reported $25,000 or more. 

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection defines financial well-being as being 

able to meet current and ongoing financial obligations, feeling financially secure in 

the present and future, and being able to make choices that allow them to enjoy 

life. In 2015, adults age 62 and older who retired when they planned to scored 

higher on a financial well-being scale than those who retired earlier or later than 

they originally planned.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 14

Poverty

In 2018, nearly 1 in 10 people age 65 and older (9.7% or 5.1 million) lived below 

the poverty level. 1 This poverty rate is not statistically different from the poverty 

rate in 2017 (9.2%). Another 2.3 million or 4.4% of older adults were classified as 

“near-poor” (income between the poverty level and 125% of this level). 

In 2018, 3 million older Whites (alone, not Hispanic) (7.3%) were poor, compared 

to 18.9% of older African Americans (alone), 11.7% of older Asians (alone), and 

19.5% of older Hispanics (any race).

Percentage of Persons Age 65 and Over Living Below the 

Poverty Level by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2018

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

Older women had a higher poverty rate (9.7%) than older men (8.1%) in 2018. A 

higher percentage of older persons living alone were poor (17.3%) as compared 

with older persons living with families (6.4%). 

The highest 

poverty rates were 

experienced among 

older Hispanic women 

who lived alone 

(37.8%).

In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new 

Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). The SPM 

methodology shows a significantly higher number of 

older persons below poverty than is shown by the 

official poverty measure. For persons age 65 and 

older, this poverty measure showed a poverty level of 

13.6% in 2018—almost 4 percentage points higher than the official rate of 9.7%. 

Unlike the official poverty rate, the SPM takes into account regional variations in 

the cost of housing etc. and, even more significantly, the impact of both non-cash 

benefits received (e.g., SNAP/food stamps, low income tax credits, and WIC) and 

non-discretionary expenditures including medical out-of-pocket expenses. For 

persons 65 and older, medical out-of-pocket expenses were the major source of 

the significant differences between these measures. The SPM does not replace the 

official poverty measure.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 15

Housing

Of the 12.9 million households headed by persons age 75 and older in 2017, 

76% owned their homes and 24% rented. The median family income of older 

homeowners was $32,800. The median family income of older renters was 

$17,000. In 2017, 37% of older householders spent one-third or more of their 

income on housing costs: 30% for owners and 65% for renters.

Persons Age 75+ Who Spent One-Third or More of Their 

Income on Housing Costs, 2017

Source: Department of Housing and Urban Development, 

American Housing Survey.

For older homeowners age 75 and older in 2017, the median construction year 

was 1971 compared to 1978 for all homeowners. Among the homes owned by 

people age 75 and older, 2.7% had moderate to severe problems with plumbing, 

heating, electric, wiring, and/or upkeep. In 2017, the median value of homes 

owned by older persons was $175,000 (with a median purchase price of $65,000). 

In comparison, the median home value of all homeowners was $200,000 (with a 

median purchase price of $137,000).

Employment

In 2019, 10.7 million (20.2%) 

Americans age 65 and older 

were in the labor force 

(working or actively seeking work)

INCLUDING 5.9 

MILLION MEN (24.7%) 

AND 4.8 MILLION 

WOMEN (16.4%)

Older adults constituted 6.5% of the U.S. labor force. Approximately 3% were 

unemployed. 

Labor force participation of men age 65 and older decreased steadily from 63.1% 

in 1900 to 45.8% in 1950 and then to 15.8% in 1985. It stayed under 20% until 

2006 and has been hovering around 23%-24% for the last few years. The labor 

force participation rate for women age 65 and older rose slightly from 8.3% in 

1900 to 9.7% in 1950 and then fell to 7.3% in 1985. It stayed at 8%-9% during the 

1990s. Beginning in 2000, the labor force participation rate of older women started 

to gradually rise to the 2019 level of 16.4%. 
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 16

Employment Status of Persons Age 65 and Over by Sex, Selected 

Years 1900 to 2019

Note: Increments between years are uneven. While the enactment of the Social 

Security Act in 1935 played an important role in the declining labor force 

participation rates among men age 65+, research suggests the decline may have 

started as early as 1880.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Labor Force Statistics, Household Data; 

U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census, 1990.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 17

Education

The educational level of the older population is increasing. 

Between 1970 and 2019, the percentage of older persons 

who had completed high school rose from 28% to 88%.

Almost one-third (31%) in 2019 had a bachelor’s degree or higher. The percentage 

who had completed high school varied considerably by race and ethnic origin in 

2019: 92% of Whites alone (not Hispanic), 79% of African Americans alone, 80% 

of Asians alone, and 59% 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.

Health and Health Care

In 2018, 45% of noninstitutionalized people age 65 and older assessed their health 

as excellent or very good compared to 65% for persons ages 18-64 years. 

Most older persons 

have at least one 

chronic condition 

and many have 

multiple conditions. 

Leading chronic conditions among adults age 65 

and older include heart disease (28% in 2016-2017), 

physician-diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes (28% in 

2013-2016), cancer (19% in 2016-2017), stroke (9% in 

2016-2017), and arthritis (54% in 2018 among people 

age 75 and older). In 2013-2016, 67% of men age 75 

and older and 79% of women age 75 and older had 

hypertension or were taking antihypertensive medication. 

In 2018, 69% of people age 65 and older reported that they received an influenza 

vaccination during the past 12 months and 69% reported that they had ever 

received a pneumococcal vaccination. Only 9% of persons age 65 and older 

reported that they were current smokers and 8% reported excessive alcohol 

consumption. 2 Approximately 3% of persons age 65 and older 

reported that they had experienced serious psychological 

distress during the past 30 days.

In 2018, 8.5 million people age 65 and older stayed in 

a hospital overnight at least one night during the year. 

Among this group of older adults, 11% stayed overnight 1 time, 3% stayed 

overnight 2 times, and 3% stayed overnight 3 or more times. This was 

approximately double the number of overnight hospital stays for the population 

ages 45 to 64: 5% had stayed overnight 1 time, 2% stayed overnight 2 times, and
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 18

1% stayed overnight 3 or more times. Older persons averaged more office visits 

with doctors than younger persons in 2018. Among people age 75 and older, 22% 

had 10 or more visits to a doctor or other health care professional in the past 12 

months compared to 19% among people ages 65 to 74, 14% among people ages 

45 to 64, and 11% among people ages 18 to 44.

In 2018, 97% of persons age 75 and older reported that they had a usual place to 

go for medical care and only 3% of people age 65 and older said that they failed to 

obtain needed medical care during the previous 12 months due to cost.

In 2018, consumers age 65 and older averaged out-of-pocket health care 

expenditures of $6,802, an increase of 48% since 2008 ($4,605). In contrast, the 

total population spent considerably less, averaging $4,968 in out-of-pocket costs. 

Older Americans spent 11.9% of their total expenditures on health, as compared to 

8.1% among all consumers. Health costs incurred on average by older consumers 

in 2018 consisted of $4,776 (70%) for insurance, 3 $998 (15%) for medical services, 

$768 (11%) for drugs, and $260 (4%) for medical supplies.

Health Insurance Coverage

In 2018, almost all (95%) non-institutionalized persons age 65 and older 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 half of older adults (50%) had some type of 

private health insurance, 6% had military-based health insurance, 6% were covered 

by Medicaid, and 1% had no coverage.

Percentage of Persons Age 65 and Over by Type of Health 

Insurance Coverage, 2018

Note: A person can be represented in more than one category. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 19

Disability and Physical Functioning

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 34% of 

people age 65 and older reported having some type of disability (i.e., difficulty in 

hearing, vision, cognition, ambulation, self-care, or independent living) in 2018. 

The percentages for individual disabilities ranged from 21% having an ambulatory 

disability to 6% having a vision difficulty. 

Percentage of Persons Age 65 and Over with a Disability, 2018

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

In 2018, 49% of people age 75 and older reported having a difficulty in physical 

functioning. This percentage is more than twice as large as for the age group 

45 to 64 (19%). The percentage of people age 75 and older reporting difficulties 

in physical functioning ranged from 5% reporting it was very difficult to (or 

cannot) sit for two hours to 33% reporting it was very difficult to (or cannot) 

stand for two hours.

Caregiving

The need for 

caregiving increases 

with age. 

In 2018, the percentage of older adults age 85 and older 

needing help with personal care (21%) was more than 

twice the percentage for adults ages 75–84 (8%) and 

five times the percentage for adults ages 65–74 (4%). 

Older adults often also provide care to younger family members. For example, 

approximately 1.1 million grandparents age 60 and older were responsible for the 

basic needs of one or more grandchildren under age 18 living with them in 2018. 

Of these caregivers, 59% were grandmothers and 41% were grandfathers.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 20

In addition, in 2017, among the 5.3 million people with Intellectual and 

Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) living with a family caregiver, 24% had caregivers 

who were age 60 and older (1,299,389). The percentage of people with I/DD living 

with older caregivers ranged from 12% in Alaska to 24% in Florida. 

SPECIAL SECTION: Obesity

Obesity is a major cause of preventable disease and premature death and is a 

serious concern for older adults. Obesity is measured by dividing a person’s weight in 

kilograms by their height in meters squared to calculate their body mass index (BMI). 

Starting at 25.0, the higher a person’s BMI, the greater is their risk of developing 

obesity-related health problems. People who have obesity, compared to those with a 

normal or healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health 

conditions, including all-causes of death, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, 

heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and breathing 

problems, mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental 

disorders, and body pain and difficulty with physical functioning.

Percentage of People Age 55 and Older Who Are Overweight or 

Obese by Age Group and Sex, 2013-2016 

Note: Body mass index equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. 

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health 

and Nutrition Examination Survey.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 21

The most recent national data on obesity prevalence among U.S. adults, show 

that more than 60% of adults age 55 and older were overweight or obese in 2013-

2016. The highest prevalence was 79% among men age 65 to 74 and the lowest 

prevalence, 67%, was among women age 75 and older.

Age differences in 

obesity prevalence 

vary between men 

and women. 

The prevalence of obesity was higher among women age 55 

to 64 (48%) compared with women age 65 to 74 (44%) and 

75 and older (32%). Among men, the prevalence of obesity 

was approximately the same for men age 55 to 64 (39%) and 

65 to 74 (40%) and less for men 75 and older (23%).

Percentage of Men Age 55 and Older Who Are Overweight or 

Obese by Age Group, 1988-2016

Percentage of Women Age 55 and Older Who Are Overweight or 

Obese by Age Group, 1988-2016

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health 

and Nutrition Examination Survey.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 22

The prevalence of obesity has increased over time for both men and women age 

55 and older. The largest increase was among men age 75 and older from 57% in 

1988-1994 to 75% in 2013-2016. 

In recent years, the prevalence of obesity leveled off at around 75% for the age 

group 55-64 for both men and women, however the older age groups continued to 

see an increase.

SPECIAL SECTION: Aerobic Activity and 

Muscle-Strengthening Activities

Aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities are important for older adults 

to improve overall health and reduce the risk of many health problems. According 

to the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Physical Activity 

guidelines for Americans, the key guidelines for older adults include 150-300 

minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity 

aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorousintensity aerobic activity. Adults should also engage in muscle-strengthening 

activities of moderate or greater intensity and that involve all major muscle groups 

on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits. 

The guidelines advise older adults to determine their level of effort for physical 

activity relative to their level of fitness.

Percentage of Men Age 55 and Older Who Met Aerobic-activity 

and Muscle-strengthening Guidelines by Age Group, 2017
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 23

Percentage of Women Age 55 and Older Who Met Aerobic-activity 

and Muscle-strengthening Guidelines by Age Group, 2017

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health 

Interview Survey.

In 2017, approximately one-fifth of men ages 55-64 (21%) and 65-74 (18%) met 

both aerobic-activity and muscle-strengthening guidelines. 

More than double the percentage of men at all ages met only the aerobic-activity 

guidelines as compared with only the muscle-strengthening guidelines. 

Similar to older men, older women had a higher percentage meeting aerobicactivity guidelines at all ages as compared with meeting only muscle-strengthening 

guidelines. More than twice the percentage of women age 55-64 (17%) met both 

the aerobic-activity and muscle-strengthening guidelines as compared with women 

ages 75 and older (7%). However, these percentages are still low. 

More than half of all older women did not meet either the aerobic-activity nor 

muscle-strengthening guidelines with 50% for women age 55-64, 53% for women 

age 65-74, and 69% for the age group 75 and older.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 24

Federal Data Sources

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

“Financial Well-Being of Older Americans.” Released December 2018. Office of Financial Protection 

for Older Americans.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Current Population Survey, Labor Force Statistics, Household Data, Annual Averages, Table 3. 

Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by age, sex, and race. 

Consumer Expenditure Survey, Table 1300. Age of Reference Person: Annual Expenditures Means, 

Shares, Standard Errors, and Coefficient of Variation, 2018. 

Consumer Expenditure Survey, Table 4. Age of reference person: Average annual expenditures and 

characteristics, 2008. 

U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

2010 Census Special Reports, Centenarians: 2010, C2010SR-03, 2012.

Decennial Census, 1900.

2017 National Population Projections, NP2017_D1: Projected Population by Single Year of Age, 

Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for the United States: 2016 to 2060. Released September 2018.

American Community Survey

Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement 1967 to present.

Table AD3. Living arrangements of adults 65 to 74 years old, 1967 to present.

Table AD3. Living arrangements of adults 75 and over, 1967 to present.

Table H-01. Type of Health Insurance Coverage by Selected Characteristics: 2019.

Table S1002. Braddock, D., Hemp, R., Tanis, E.S. Wu, J. & Haffer, L. (Forthcoming).

Table 1-1. General Mobility, by Race and Hispanic Origin, Region, Sex, Age, Relationship to 

Householder, Educational Attainment, Marital Status, Nativity, Tenure, and Poverty Status: 2018 

to 2019.

FINC-01. Selected Characteristics of Families by Total Money Income in 2018.

PINC-01. Selected Characteristics of People 15 Years Old and Over by Total Money Income in 

2018, Work Experience in 2018, Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex.

POV01: Age and Sex of All People, Family Members and Unrelated Individuals Iterated by 

Income-to-Poverty Ratio and Race: 2018. 

Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Selected Age Groups by Sex for the United States, 

States, Counties, and Puerto Rico Commonwealth and Municipios: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018, 

Released June 2019.

Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Single Year of Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin 

for the United States: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018. Released June 2019. 

Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin for the United 

States and States: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018. Released June 2019.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 25

Hobbs, Frank and Nicole Stoops, Demographic Trends in the 20th Century: Census 2000 Special 

Reports, Series CENSR-4. Table 5. Population by Age and Sex for the United States: 1900 to 2000, 

Part A.

“Income and Poverty in the United States: 2018.” Report Number P60266, issued September, 2019. 

Poverty Thresholds for 2018 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years. 

The Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2018. Revised October 2019.

Intercensal Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex and Age for the United States: April 1, 

2000 to July 1, 2010. Released September 2011.

Intercensal Estimates of the White Alone Not Hispanic Resident Population by Sex and Age for the 

United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2010. Released September 2011.

Projected 5-Year Age Groups and Sex Composition: Main Projections Series for the United States, 

2017-2060. Released March 2018. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Community Living. AGing, Independence, and Disability (AGID) Program Data 

Portal. Population Estimates 2008. Accessed January 3, 2020. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Accessed on February 1, 2020.

National Health Interview Survey, 2017.

National Health Interview Survey; Health, US; Tables of Summary Health Statistics for U.S. 

Adults: 2018.

National Health Interview Survey, Early Release of Selected Estimates Based on Data from 2018. 

Mortality in the United States, 2018. NCHS Data Brief, No. 355, January 2020.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2nd Edition. Office of Disease Prevention and Health 

Promotion. Accessed February 1, 2020.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

American Housing Survey, National Tables: 2017.

Other Data Sources

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The State of the States in 

Developmental Disabilities.

Fetter, Daniel K., and Lee M. Lockwood. 2018. “Government Old-Age Support and Labor Supply: 

Evidence from the Old Age Assistance Program.” American Economic Review, 108 (8): 2174-2211. 

Lee, Chulhee, 1998. “The Rise of the Welfare State and Labor-Force Participation of Older Males: 

Evidence from the Pre-Social Security Era,” American Economic Review, American Economic 

Association, vol. 88(2), pages 222-226, May.
2019 PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS | PAGE 26

Endnotes

1 The poverty threshold in 2018 was $12,043 for householders age 65 and older living alone.

2 Five or more drinks in one day at least once in the past year.

3 Data on health care expenditures are payments (after reimbursement) made directly to the providers of 

care, such as hospitals, and payments to third parties, such as insurance companies, for private group 

and individual health insurance coverage. Payments to the Federal Government for Medicare Part B 

and Part D coverage are also included.