2018 Profile

of Older Americans

April 2018 

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.
Table of Contents

HIGHLIGHTS ................................................................................................................................................. 1

THE OLDER POPULATION ........................................................................................................................... 2

FUTURE GROWTH ......................................................................................................................................... 3

FIGURE 1: NUMBER OF PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER: 1900-2060 (NUMBERS IN MILLIONS) ............................................ 3

MARITAL STATUS ......................................................................................................................................... 4

FIGURE 2: MARITAL STATUS OF PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER, 2018............................................................................... 4

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS............................................................................................................................ 4

FIGURE 3: LIVING ARRANGEMENTS OF PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER, 2018.................................................................... 5

RACIAL AND ETHNIC COMPOSITION ....................................................................................................... 5

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION..................................................................................................................... 6

FIGURE 4: PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL POPULATION, 2017............................................. 7

FIGURE 5: PERCENT INCREASE IN POPULATION AGE 65 AND OVER, 2007 TO 2017 ........................................................ 7

FIGURE 6: THE 65 AND OVER POPULATION BY STATE, 2017 .......................................................................................... 8

INCOME............................................................................................................................................................ 9

FIGURE 7: PERCENT DISTRIBUTION BY INCOME: 2017.................................................................................................... 9

POVERTY....................................................................................................................................................... 10

FIGURE 8: PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL BY RACE AND HISPANIC 

ORIGIN, 2017................................................................................................................................................................ 10

HOUSING ....................................................................................................................................................... 11

FIGURE 9: PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS AGE 75 AND OVER WHO SPENT ONE-THIRD OR MORE OF THEIR INCOME ON 

HOUSING COSTS, 2017 ................................................................................................................................................. 11

EMPLOYMENT.............................................................................................................................................. 11

FIGURE 10: EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER BY SEX, SELECTED YEARS 1900 TO 2018............ 12

EDUCATION .................................................................................................................................................. 12

HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE ................................................................................................................... 13

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE........................................................................................................... 13

FIGURE 11: PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER BY TYPE OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, 2017........... 14

DISABILITY AND PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING......................................................................................... 14

FIGURE 12: PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS AGE 65 AND OVER WITH A DISABILITY, 2017 .................................................. 14

CAREGIVING................................................................................................................................................. 15

SPECIAL SECTION: EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS............................................... 16

FIGURE 13: HOW PEOPLE RECEIVE THEIR FIRST SOURCE OF EMERGENCY INFORMATION DURING A DISASTER BY 

INFORMATION SOURCE AND AGE GROUP, 2017 ............................................................................................................. 16

FIGURE 14: PREPARATION FOR EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS BY TYPE OF PREPARATION AND AGE GROUP, 2017 ....... 17

NOTES............................................................................................................................................................. 18
1 

Highlights123

• Over the past 10 years, the population age 65 and over increased from 37.8 million in 2007 to 50.9 

million in 2017 (a 34% increase) and is projected to reach 94.7 million in 2060.

• Between 2007 and 2017 the population age 60 and over increased 35% from 52.5 million to 70.8 million.

• The 85 and over population is projected to more than double from 6.5 million in 2017 to 14.4 million in 

2040 (a 123% increase). 

• Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from 7.2 million in 2007 (19% of the older adult 

population) to 11.8 million in 2017 (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 over the next two decades – increased by 

9% between 2007 and 2017. 

• More than one in every seven, or 15.6%, of the population is an older American. 

• Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19.5 years (20.6 years for 

females and 18.1 years for males).

• There were 86,248 persons age 100 and over in 2017 (0.2% of the total age 65 and over population). 

• Older women outnumber older men at 28.3 million older women to 22.6 million older men. 

• In 2017, 23% of persons age 65 and over were members of racial or ethnic minority populations--9% 

were African-Americans (not Hispanic), 4% 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. 

• A larger percentage of older men are married as compared with older women---70% of men, 46% of 

women. In 2018, 32% older women were widows. 

• About 28% (14.3 million) of older persons lived alone (9.5 million women, 4.8 million men). 

• Among women age 75 and over, 44% lived alone. 

• The median income of older persons in 2017 was $32,654 for males and $19,180 for females. The real 

median income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people increased by 1.1% 

(which was not statistically significant) between 2016 and 2017. Households containing families headed 

by persons age 65 and over reported a median income in 2017 of $61,946. 

• In 2017, 4,681,000 older adults (9.2%) were below the poverty level. This poverty rate is not statistically 

different from the poverty rate in 2016 (9.3%). In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new 

Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) which takes into account regional variations in living costs, noncash benefits received, and non-discretionary expenditures but does not replace the official poverty 

measure. In 2017, the SPM showed a poverty level for persons age 65 and over of 14.1% (almost 5 

percentage points higher than the official rate of 9.2%). This increase is mainly due to including medical 

out-of-pocket expenses in the poverty calculations.

• The need for caregiving increases with age. In January-June 2018, the percentage of older adults age 85 

and over needing help with personal care (20%) was more than twice the percentage for adults ages 75–

84 (9%) and five times the percentage for adults ages 65–74 (4%). 

• Among adults age 75 and over, 42% report the television is their first source of emergency information as 

compared with 31% for the total population. The percentage of older adults receiving information from 

the internet (9%) is much lower than for the total population (31%).

1 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. 2 This report includes data on the 65 and over population unless otherwise noted. The phrase “older adults or older persons” 

refers to the population age 65 and over. 3 Numbers in this report may not add up due to rounding.
2 

The Older Population

In the United States, the population age 65 and over numbered 50.9 million in 2017 (the most recent year for 

which data are available). They represented 15.6% of the population, more than one in every seven Americans. 

The number of older Americans increased by 13 million or 34% since 2007, compared to an increase of 4% for 

the under-65 population. 

Between 2007 and 2017, the number of Americans age 45-64 (who will reach age 65 over the next two decades)

increased by 9% and the number of Americans age 60 and over increased by 35% from 52.5

million to 70.8 million.

In 2017, among the population age 65 and over there were 28.3 million women and 22.6 million men, or a sex 

ratio of 125 women for every 100 men. At age 85 and over, this ratio increased to 184 women for every 100 men. 

Since 1900, the percentage of Americans age 65 and over has more than tripled (from 4.1% in 1900 to 15.6% in 

2017), and the number has increased over sixteen times (from 3.1 million to 50.9 million). The older population 

itself is increasingly older. In 2017, the 65-74 age group (29.7 million) was more than 13 times larger than in 

1900 (2,186,767); the 75-84 group (14.7 million) was more than 19 times larger (771,369), and the 85+ group (6.5 

million) was more than 52 times larger (122,362).

In 2017, persons reaching age 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 19.5 years (20.6 years for 

females and 18.1 years for males). A child born in 2017 could expect to live 78.6 years, more than 30 years longer 

than a child born in 1900 (47.3 years). 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 age 65-

84, especially for men – by 41.6% for men age 65-74 and by 29.5% for men age 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.

Nonetheless, some research has raised concerns about future increases in life expectancy in the US compared to 

other high-income countries, primarily due to past smoking and current obesity levels, especially for women age 

50 and over (National Research Council, 2011). 

In 2017, 3.6 million persons celebrated their 65th birthday. Census estimates showed an annual net increase 

between 2016 and 2017 of 1.6 million in the number of persons age 65 and over.

Between 1980 and 2017, the centenarian population experienced a larger percentage increase than did the total 

population. There were 86,248 persons age 100 and over in 2017 (0.2% of the total age 65 and over population). 

This is more than double the 1980 figure of 32,194. 

----- 

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 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, 2017. Release Date: June 2018; Table 1. Intercensal Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex 

and Age for the United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2010. Release Date: September 2011; 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, 2017. Release Date: June 2018; 2010 Census Special Reports, Centenarians: 2010, C2010SR-03, 

2012; Hobbs, Frank and Nicole Stoops, Census 2000 Special Reports, Series CENSR-4, Demographic Trends in 

the 20th Century, Table 5. Population by Age and Sex for the United States: 1900 to 2000, Part A; National Center 

for Health Statistics, Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Kochanek KD, and Arias E. Mortality in the United States, 2017. NCHS 

data brief, no 328. Hyattsville, MD: November 2018; and National Research Council, Crimmins EM, Preston SH, 

Cohen B, editors. Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries. Panel on Understanding 

Divergent Trends in Longevity in High-Income Countries, 2011.
3 

Future Growth

The older population is expected to continue to grow significantly in the future (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 is beginning to burgeon as approximately one-third (31%) of the "baby 

boom" generation is now age 65 and over. 

The population age 65 and over has increased from 37.8 million in 2007 to 50.9 million in 2017 (a 34% increase) 

and is projected to reach 94.7 million in 2060 (Figure 1). By 2040, there will be about 80.8 million older persons, 

over twice their number in 2000. People age 65 and over represented 15.6% of the population in the year 2017 but 

are expected to grow to be 21.6% of the population by 2040. The 85 and over population is projected to more than 

double from 6.5 million in 2017 to 14.4 million in 2040 (a 123% increase).

Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from 7.2 million in 2007 (19% of the older adult 

population) to 11.8 million in 2017 (23% of older adults) and are projected to increase to 27.7 million in 2040 

(34% of older adults). Between 2017 and 2040, the white (not Hispanic) population age 65 and over is projected 

to increase by 36% compared to 135% for older racial and ethnic minority populations, including Hispanics 

(188%), African-Americans (not Hispanic) (96%), American Indian and Alaska Native (not Hispanic) (85%), and 

Asians (not Hispanic) (123%).

Figure 1: Number of Persons Age 65 and Over: 1900-2060 (numbers in millions)

Note: Increments in years are uneven. Striped bars indicate projections.

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

-----

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 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, 2017, Release Date: June 2018; Intercensal Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex and Age 

for the United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2010. Release Date: September 2011; 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, 2017. Release Date: June 2018 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. Release Date: September 2011; 

Projected 5-Year Age Groups and Sex Composition: Main Projections Series for the United States, 2017-2060. 

Release date March 2018. Revised date September 2018; and NP2017_D1: Projected Population by Single Year 

of Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for the United States: 2016 to 2060. Release date: September 2018. 

3.1

4.9 9

16.2

25.5

35

50.9

56.1

80.8

94.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2017 2020 2040 2060

Year (as of July 1)
4 

Marital Status

In 2018, a larger percentage of older men were married (70%) as compared with older women (46%) of women 

(Figure 2). Widows accounted for 32% of all older women in 2018. There were more than three times as many 

widows (8.9 million) as widowers (2.6 million). 

Divorced and separated (including married/spouse absent) older persons represented only 15% of all older 

persons in 2018. However, this percentage has increased since 1980, when approximately 5% of the older 

population were divorced or separated/spouse absent. 

Figure 2: Marital Status of Persons Age 65 and over, 2018 

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

-----

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

Living Arrangements

Over half (59%) of older noninstitutionalized persons age 65 and over lived with their spouse (including partner) 

in 2018. Approximately 16.7 million or 72% of older men, and 13.5 million or 48% of older women, lived with 

their spouse (Figure 3). 

About 28% (14.3 million) of all noninstitutionalized older persons in 2018 lived alone (9.5 million women, 4.8 

million men). They represented 34% of older women and 21% of older men. The proportion living alone 

increases with advanced age. Among women age 75 and over, for example, 44% lived alone.

A relatively small number of people (1.2 million) age 65 and over lived in nursing homes in 2017. However, the 

percentage increases dramatically with age, ranging from 1% for persons ages 65-74 to 3% for persons ages 75-84 

and 9% for persons age 85 and over. 

46%

32%

16%

6%

70%

11% 14%

6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Married Widowed Divorced or

Separated/ Spouse

Absent

Single (never

married)

Women Men
5 

Figure 3: Living Arrangements of Persons Age 65 and Over, 2018 

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

-----

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 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. 

Racial and Ethnic Composition

In 2017, 23% of persons age 65 and over were members of racial or ethnic minority populations—9% were 

African-Americans (not Hispanic), 4% 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 over

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 over in 

2017 compared to 20% of non-Hispanic whites. The percentage of people age 65 and over within each racial and 

ethnic minority group were as follows: 11% of African-Americans (not Hispanic), 12% of Asians (not Hispanic), 

9% of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (not Hispanic), 11% of American Indian and Alaska Native

(not Hispanic), and 7% of Hispanics.

-----

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 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, 2017. Release Date: June 

2018. 

72%

21%

Men 7%

Living with spouse or partner

Living alone

Other

48%

34%

Women 18%

Living with spouse or partner

Living alone

Other
6 

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 (Figures 4 and 5). In 2017, 51% of persons age 65 and over lived 

in 9 states: California (5.5 million); Florida (4.2 million); Texas (3.5 million); New York (3.2 million); 

Pennsylvania (2.3 million); Illinois (1.9 million); Ohio (1.9 million); Michigan (1.7 million); and North Carolina 

(1.6 million). New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Indiana, and 

Missouri each had over 1 million people age 65 and over in 2017 (Figure 6). 

The five states with the highest percentage of persons age 65 and over in 2017 were Florida (20.1%), Maine 

(19.9%), West Virginia (19.4%), Vermont (18.7%), and Montana (18.1%). 

In five states, the age 65 and over population increased by 50% or more between 2007 and 2017: Alaska (71.0%),

Nevada (57.8%), Colorado (55.7%), South Carolina (50.7%), and Georgia (50.3%). 

The 12 states with poverty rates at or over 10% for older adults during 2017 were: District of Columbia (14.2%), 

Mississippi (13.7%), New Mexico (12.2%), Louisiana (12.0%); New York (11.4%), Texas (10.8%), Kentucky 

(10.3%), Arkansas (10.2%), California (10.2%), Florida (10.2%), West Virginia (10.2%), and Georgia (10.1%). 

A smaller percentage of older adults changed residence as compared with younger age groups. From 2017 to 

2018, only 4% of older persons moved as opposed to 11% of the under age 65 population. Most older movers 

(58%) stayed in the same county. The other older movers either remained in the same state (21%) or moved outof-state or abroad (21%). 

-----

Sources: Administration for Community Living agid.acl.gov. Data Source: Population Estimates 2007, accessed 

January 3, 2019. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Current Population Survey, Annual Social 

and Economic Supplement; Table 1. General Mobility, by Race and Hispanic Origin, Region, Sex, Age, 

Relationship to Householder, Educational Attainment, Marital Status, Nativity, Tenure, and Poverty Status: 2017 

to 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, 2017. Release date 

June 2018.
7 

Figure 4: Persons Age 65 and Over as a Percentage of Total Population, 2017 

Figure 5: Percent Increase in Population Age 65 and Over, 2007 to 2017 
8 

Figure 6: The 65 and Over Population by State, 2017 

State Number of Persons 

65 and Over (1) Percent of All Ages Percent Increase from 2007 to 2017

Percent Below 

Poverty 2017 (2)

United States (50 States+DC) 50,858,679 15.6% 34.5% 9.2%

Alabama 803,771 16.5% 29.4% 9.9%

Alaska 82,580 11.2% 71.0% 7.4%

Arizona 1,201,746 17.1% 49.6% 9.0%

Arkansas 499,144 16.6% 25.3% 10.2%

California 5,505,358 13.9% 39.6% 10.2%

Colorado 772,042 13.8% 55.7% 7.8%

Connecticut 602,410 16.8% 25.1% 7.1%

Delaware 174,128 18.1% 46.1% 8.5%

District of Columbia 83,734 12.1% 26.6% 14.2%

Florida 4,214,635 20.1% 38.1% 10.2%

Georgia 1,407,810 13.5% 50.3% 10.1%

Hawaii 253,560 17.8% 40.6% 9.3%

Idaho 264,901 15.4% 49.4% 8.1%

Illinois 1,945,398 15.2% 26.1% 8.6%

Indiana 1,024,890 15.4% 28.0% 7.7%

Iowa 526,057 16.7% 18.8% 6.6%

Kansas 449,563 15.4% 24.0% 7.3%

Kentucky 711,349 16.0% 29.7% 10.3%

Louisiana 697,383 14.9% 33.0% 12.0%

Maine 266,214 19.9% 34.3% 8.1%

Maryland 904,671 14.9% 37.4% 7.9%

Massachusetts 1,108,609 16.2% 28.9% 9.0%

Michigan 1,667,196 16.7% 29.2% 8.5%

Minnesota 860,209 15.4% 33.6% 7.0%

Mississippi 461,519 15.5% 27.2% 13.7%

Missouri 1,007,033 16.5% 26.5% 8.7%

Montana 190,523 18.1% 40.0% 7.2%

Nebraska 295,373 15.4% 23.9% 7.2%

Nevada 459,059 15.3% 57.8% 8.5%

New Hampshire 236,157 17.6% 42.1% 5.8%

New Jersey 1,418,603 15.8% 25.0% 8.4%

New Mexico 352,601 16.9% 40.7% 12.2%

New York 3,162,193 15.9% 25.7% 11.4%

North Carolina 1,630,445 15.9% 44.4% 9.1%

North Dakota 113,208 15.0% 18.9% 9.9%

Ohio 1,943,136 16.7% 24.5% 7.7%

Oklahoma 602,823 15.3% 25.2% 9.1%

Oregon 708,817 17.1% 43.6% 8.7%

Pennsylvania 2,279,687 17.8% 19.7% 8.5%

Rhode Island 177,955 16.8% 20.3% 9.0%

South Carolina 864,577 17.2% 50.7% 9.2%

South Dakota 141,624 16.3% 25.9% 8.0%

Tennessee 1,076,602 16.0% 35.9% 9.2%

Texas 3,472,712 12.3% 45.6% 10.8%

Utah 335,572 10.8% 47.3% 6.4%

Vermont 116,869 18.7% 37.1% 7.1%

Virginia 1,271,428 15.0% 41.3% 7.1%

Washington 1,115,042 15.1% 48.0% 8.0%

West Virginia 351,599 19.4% 22.4% 10.2%

Wisconsin 954,557 16.5% 28.6% 7.8%

Wyoming 91,607 15.8% 41.2% 8.4%

Puerto Rico 658,750 19.7% 30.7% 38.9%

Notes: (1) Population Estimates (2) Poverty data for the US total are from the Current Population Survey, Poverty data for 

States and Puerto Rico are from the American Community Survey. 

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

Estimates; and American Community Survey.
9 

Income

The median income of older persons in 2017 was $32,654 for males and $19,180 for females. From 2016 to 2017, 

the real median income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people increased by 1.1% 

which was not statistically significant. Households containing families headed by persons age 65 and over 

reported a median income in 2017 of $61,946 ($66,142 for non-Hispanic Whites, $40,512 for Hispanics, $43,705 

for African-Americans, and $67,627 for Asians). About 5% of family households with an older adult householder 

had incomes less than $15,000 and 74% had incomes of $35,000 or more (Figure 7). 

Figure 7: Percent Distribution by Income: 2017 

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

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

3%

2%

8%

12%

15%

18%

41%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

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

Family Households with Age 65 and Over Householder, 2017

$61,946 median income for 17.8 million family households with age 65 and over householder.

4%

9%

15%

22%

13%

12%

24%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

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

Persons Age 65 and Over Reporting Income, 2017

$24,224 median income for 49.3 million persons age 65 and over reporting income.
10

For all older persons reporting income in 2017 (49.3 million), 13% reported less than $10,000 and 49% reported

$25,000 or more. The median income reported was $24,224. 

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 over 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. 

-----

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, FINC-01. 

Selected Characteristics of Families by Total Money Income in 2017; PINC-01. Selected Characteristics of 

People 15 Years Old and Over by Total Money Income in 2017, Work Experience in 2017, Race, Hispanic 

Origin, and Sex; and U.S. Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2017, Current Population 

Reports, P60-263, issued September 2018. Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Office of Financial 

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

Poverty 

In 2017, 4,681,000 people age 65 and over (9.2%) were below the poverty level.

4 This poverty rate is not 

statistically different from the poverty rate in 2016 (9.3%). Another 2.5 million or 4.9% of older adults were 

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

In 2017, 2.7 million older Whites (alone, not Hispanic) (7.0%) were poor, compared to 19.3% of older AfricanAmericans (alone), 10.8% of older Asians (alone), and 17.0% of older Hispanics (any race) 

(Figure 8).

Figure 8: Percentage of Persons Age 65 and Over Living Below the Poverty Level by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2017 

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

Older women had a higher poverty rate (10.5%) than older men (7.5%) in 2017. A higher percentage of older 

persons living alone were poor (16.7%) as compared with older persons living with families (5.7%). The highest 

poverty rates were experienced among older Hispanic women who lived alone (37.2%).

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 over, this poverty measure showed a poverty level of 14.1% in 2017 (almost 5 

percentage points higher than the official rate of 9.2%). 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 

 

4 The poverty threshold in 2017 was $11,756 for householders age 65 and over living alone.

7.0%

19.3%

10.8% 17.0%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

White, not

Hispanic

African American Asian Hispanic
11

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

including medical out-of-pocket (MOOP) expenses. For persons 65 and over, MOOP was the major source of the 

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

-----

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement; POV01: 

Age and Sex of All People, Family Members and Unrelated Individuals Iterated by Income-to-Poverty Ratio and 

Race: 2017; "Income and Poverty in the United States: 2017," P60-263, issued September, 2018; Poverty 

Thresholds for 2017 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years; and “The Supplemental 

Poverty Measure: 2017,” P60-265, revised September 2018. 

Housing

Of the 12.9 million households headed by persons age 75 and over in 2017, 76% were owners and 24% were 

renters. 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 (Figure 9). 

Figure 9: Percentage of Persons Age 75 and Over Who Spent One-Third or More of Their Income on Housing Costs, 

2017

Source: Department of Housing and Urban Development, American Housing Survey, National Tables: 2017. 

For older homeowners age 75 and over in 2017, the median construction year was 1971 compared to 1978 for all 

homeowners. Among the homes owned by people age 75 and over, 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 all homeowners 

was $200,000 (with a median purchase price of $137,000). 

-----

Source: Department of Housing and Urban Development, American Housing Survey, National Tables: 2017. 

Employment 

In 2018, 10 million (19.6%) Americans age 65 and over were in the labor force (working or actively seeking 

work), including 5.5 million men (24.0%) and 4.5 million women (15.9%). Older adults constituted 6.2% of the 

U.S. labor force. About 3.3% were unemployed. 

Labor force participation of men age 65 and over 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 over 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 2018 level of 15.9% (Figure 10). 

30%

65%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Owners Renters
12

Figure 10: Employment Status of Persons Age 65 and Over by Sex, Selected Years 1900 to 2018

Note: Increments in 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 and over, other research suggests that the 

decline may have started as early as 1880 (Lee, 1998; Fetter and Lockwood, 2018). 

Source: 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. U.S. 

Census, Decennial Census, 1900.

----

Source: 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. U.S. 

Census, Decennial Census, 1900. Lee C. The Rise of the Welfare State and Labor-Force Participation of Older 

Males: Evidence from the Pre-Social Security Era. American Economic Review, 88(2):222-226, 1998. Fetter D 

and L Lockwood. Government Old-Age Support and Labor Supply: Evidence from the Old Age Assistance 

Program. American Economic Review, 108(8):2174-2211, 2018. 

Education

The educational level of the older population is increasing. Between 1970 and 2018, the percentage of older 

persons who had completed high school rose from 28% to 87%. More than one-quarter (29%) in 2018 had a 

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

ethnic origin in 2018: 91% of Whites (not Hispanic), 77% of Asians (not Hispanic), 78% of African-Americans 

(not Hispanic), 75% of American Indian and Alaska Natives (not Hispanic), and 57% 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: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

190019501985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018

Men Women
13

Health and Health Care

In January-June 2018, 46% of noninstitutionalized people age 65 and over 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. In 2016, 38% of 

people age 65 and over had 0-1 chronic conditions, 47% had 2-3 chronic conditions, and 15% had 4 or more 

chronic conditions. Leading chronic conditions among older adults include hypertension (67% in 2015), arthritis 

(55% in 2015), heart disease (29% in 2015-2016), physician-diagnosed diabetes (22% in 2011-2014), cancer 

(19% in 2015-2016), and stroke (8% in 2015-2016). 

In January-June 2018, 71% of people age 65 and over reported that they received an influenza vaccination during 

the past 12 months and 69% reported that they had ever received a pneumococcal vaccination. About one third 

(32%) of persons age 60 and over reported height/weight combinations that placed them among the obese. 

Slightly under half (46%) of persons ages 65-74 and 31% of persons age 75 and over reported that they engaged 

in regular leisure-time physical activity. Only 8% of persons age 65 and over reported that they were current 

smokers and 8% reported excessive alcohol consumption. Less than 3% of persons age 65 and over reported that 

they had experienced serious psychological distress during the past 30 days. 

In 2017, 7.6 million people age 65 and over 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 2% stayed 

overnight 3 or more times. This is approximately double the number of overnight hospital stays for the population 

ages 45 to 64; 6% had stayed overnight 1 time, 1% stayed overnight 2 times, and 1% stayed overnight 3 or more 

times. Older persons averaged more office visits with doctors than younger persons in 2017. Among people age 

75 and over, 22% had 10 or more visits to a doctor or other health care professional in the past 12 months 

compared to 17% among people ages 65 to 74, 15% among people ages 45 to 64, and 10% among people ages 18 

to 44. 

In January-June 2018, 96% of persons age 65 and over reported that they did have a usual place to go for medical 

care and only 3% said that they failed to obtain needed medical care during the previous 12 months due to cost. 

In 2017, consumers age 65 and over averaged out-of-pocket health care expenditures of $6,620, an increase of 

43% since 2007 ($4,631). In contrast, the total population spent considerably less, averaging $4,928 in out-ofpocket costs. Older Americans spent 13.4% of their total expenditures on health, as compared to 8.2% among all 

consumers. Health costs incurred on average by older consumers in 2017 consisted of $4,712 (71%) for insurance, 

$911 (14%) for medical services, $783 (12%) for drugs, and $214 (3%) for medical supplies. 

-----

Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, Early Release of Selected 

Estimates Based on Data from the January-June 2018; Health, US, 2017; Tables of Summary Health Statistics for 

U.S. Adults: 2017; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2015 Medicare Current Beneficiary Chartbook; 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, Table 1300. Age of Reference Person: Annual 

Expenditures Means, Shares, Standard Errors, and Coefficient of Variation, 2017. Table 3. Age of reference 

person: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2007.

Health Insurance Coverage

In 2017, almost all (93%) non-institutionalized persons age 65 and over 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 (51%) had some type of private health 

insurance, 8% had military-based health insurance,7% were covered by Medicaid, and 1% had no coverage 

(Figure 11).
14

Figure 11: Percentage of Persons Age 65 and Over by type of Health Insurance Coverage, 2017

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

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

-----

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement; Table HI01. 

Health Insurance Coverage Status and Type of Coverage by Selected Characteristics: 2017.

Disability and Physical Functioning

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, some type of disability (i.e., difficulty in 

hearing, vision, cognition, ambulation, self-care, or independent living) was reported by 35% of people age 65 

and over in 2017. The percentages for individual disabilities ranged from 22% having an ambulatory disability to 

6% having a vision difficulty (Figure 12). 

Figure 12: Percentage of Persons Age 65 and Over with a Disability, 2017 

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

99%

51%

26% 28%

94% 93%

7% 8%

1% 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

35%

14%

6%

9%

22%

8%

14%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Any disability

Hearing difficulty

Vision difficulty

Cognitive difficulty

Ambulatory difficulty

Self-care difficulty

Independent living difficulty
15

In 2017, 46% of people age 75 and over reported having a difficulties 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 over reporting 

difficulties in physical functioning ranged from 5% reporting it was very difficult to (or cannot) sit for 2 hours to 

30% reporting it was very difficult to (or cannot) stand for 2 hours. 

-----

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. National Center for Health Statistics, National 

Health Interview Survey.

Caregiving

The need for caregiving increases with age. In January-June 2018, the percentage of older adults age 85 and over 

needing help with personal care (20%) was more than twice the percentage for adults ages 75–84 (9%) and five 

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

Older adults not only need care, but often also provide care to younger family members. For example, 

approximately 1.1 million grandparents age 60 and over were responsible for the basic needs of one or more 

grandchildren under age 18 living with them in 2017. Of these caregivers, 59% were grandmothers and 41% were 

grandfathers. 

In addition, in 2015, among the 3.6 million people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)5 living 

with a family caregiver, 24% had caregivers who were age 60 and over (872,042). The percentage of people with 

I/DD living with older caregivers ranged from 11% in Alaska to 25% in Florida. 

-----

Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, Early Release of Selected 

Estimates Based on Data from the January-June 2018. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, Table 

S1002. Braddock, D., Hemp, R., Tanis, E.S. Wu, J. & Haffer, L. (2017). State of the States in Developmental 

Disabilities. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

 

5 The total number of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) is estimated to be 5.1 million.
16

Special Section: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

Finding out emergency information quickly during a disaster can be vital to survival. Among adults age 75 and 

over 42% report the television is their first source of emergency information as compared with 31% for the total 

population. The next largest category is family, friends, or neighbors with 26% of adults age 75 and over 

reporting that as their first source of information compared with 18% of the total population. The percentage of 

older adults receiving information from the internet (9%) is much lower than for the total population (31%).

(Figure 13) 

Figure 13: How people receive their first source of emergency information during a disaster by information source 

and age group, 2017

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

Sheltering-in-place is appropriate when conditions require people to seek protection in their homes, places of 

employment, or other location when disasters strike. Some of the preparations that can be helpful to people when 

they shelter-in-place include having a generator, enough nonperishable food for at least three days, at least three 

gallons of water per person, and a communication plan if cell service is disrupted. Among adults age 75 and over, 

19% have a generator, 84% have enough food, 62% have enough water, and 25% have a communication plan. 

These estimates are similar for the total population. (Figure 2) 

A wide variety of emergencies may cause the need to evacuate. Planning ahead is vital to ensuring people can 

evacuate quickly and safely. Useful items to prepare ahead of time include an emergency evacuation kit; 

evacuation funds up to $2,000; a reliable vehicle able to carry all household members, pets, and supplies; and an 

agreed-upon meeting location. Among adults age 75 and over, 51% have an evacuation kit, 82% have evacuation 

funds, 86% have an available vehicle, and 29% have an agreed upon meeting location. A higher percentage of 

older adults have evacuation funds (82%) as compared with the total population (76%). Conversely, a lower 

percentage of older adults have an available vehicle (86%) and an agreed upon meeting location (29%) as 

compared with the total population (91% and 37%, respectively). (Figure 14) 

31%

38% 42% 42%

18%

15%

16%

13% 26%

15%

18%

14%

31%

26%

17% 9%

5% 5% 5% 8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

All ages 55 to 64 65 to 74 75+

Age

Other source

Internet (including Facebook and

Twitter)

Radio

Family, friends, or neighbors

Television
17

Figure 14: Preparation for emergencies and disasters by type of preparation and age group, 2017

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

When adults age 75 and over were asked where they would stay if they had to evacuate their home for a safe place 

at least 50 miles away, for two or more weeks, 63% reported they would stay with relatives or friends, 24% in a 

hotel or motel, 5% in a public shelter, and 5% somewhere else.

-----

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey. Department of Homeland Security, Plan Ahead for 

Disasters: Talk with your family. Accessed on March 21, 2019 at www.Ready.Gov. 

19%

81%

59%

26%

53%

76%

91%

37%

19%

84%

62%

25%

51%

82%

86%

29%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Generator

Present

Household Has

Enough NonPerishable Food

for at Least 3

Days

Household Has at

Least 3 Gallons or

24 Bottles of

Water Per Person

Household Has

Communication

Plan if Cell Service

Disrupted

Prepared

Emergency

Evacuation Kit

Evacuation Funds

of up to $2,000

Evacuation

Vehicle(s)

Available

Household Has

Agreed-Upon

Meeting Location

Shelter-in-place Evacuation

All ages 75+
18

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.

Age-adjusted estimates are used when available.

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

2018 Profile of Older Americans was developed by the Administration on Aging (AoA), Administration for 

Community Living, 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, 244 Tribal organizations, and 2 Native 

Hawaiian organizations representing 400 Tribes.