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## A STATISTICAL PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS:1994

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### THE OLDER POPULATION

The older population--persons 65 years or older--numbered 32.8 million in 1993. Theyrepresented 12.7% of the U.S. population, about one in every eight Americans. The numberof older Americans increased by 1.6 million or 5% since 1990, compared to an increase of3% for the under-65 population. 

In 1993, there were 19.5 million older women and 13.3 million older men, or a sex ratioof 147 women for every 100 men. The sex ratio increased with age, ranging from 122 for the65-69 group to a high of 256 for persons 85 and older. 

Since 1900, the percentage of Americans 65+ has more than tripled (4.1% in 1900 to12.7% in 1993), and the number has increased over 10 times (from 3.1 million to 32.8million). 

The older population itself is getting older. In 1993 the 65-74 age group (18.7million) was eight times larger than in 1900, but the 75-84 group (10.8 million) was 14times larger and the 85+ group (3.4 million) was 27 times larger. 

In 1992, persons reaching age 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 17.5years (19.1 years for females and 15.5 years for males). 

A child born in 1992 could expect to live 75.7 years, about 28 years longer than achild born in 1900. The major part of this increase occurred because of reduced deathrates for children and young adults. Life expectancy at age 65 increased by only 2.4 yearsbetween 1900 and 1960, but has increased by 3.2 years since 1960. 

About 2.0 million persons celebrated their 65th birthday in 1993 (5,500 per day). Inthe same year, about 1.7 million persons 65 or older died, resulting in a net increase of516,000 (1,410 per day). 

| Year | Number (in Millions) |
|------|----------------------|
| 2030 | 70.2                 |
| 2020 | 53.3                 |
| 2010 | 40.1                 |
| 2000 | 35.3                 |
| 1993 | 32.8                 |
| 1980 | 25.7                 |
| 1960 | 16.7                 |
| 1940 | 9.0                  |
| 1920 | 4.9                  |
| 1900 | 3.1                  |

Notes
Years (as of July 1) 
Based on data from U.S. Bureau of the Census 
FUTURE GROWTH
The older population will continue to grow in the future (see Table 1). This growthwill slow somewhat during the 1990's because of the relatively small number of babies bornduring the Great Depression of the 1930's. The most rapid increase is ex- pected betweenthe years 2010 and 2030 when the "baby boom" generation reaches age 65. 

By 2030, there will be about 70 million older persons, more than twice their number in1990. People 65+ are projected to represent 13% of the population in the year 2000 butwill be 20% by 2030. 

Minority populations are projected to represent 25% of the elderly population in 2030,up from 13% in 1990. Between 1990 and 2030, the white nonhispanic population 65+ isprojected to in- crease by 93% compared with 328% for older minorities, includingHispanics (555%) and nonhispanic blacks (160%), American Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts(231%), and Asians and Pacific Islanders (693%). 
MARITAL STATUS
In 1993, older men were nearly twice as likely to be married as older women--77% ofmen, 42% of women (Table 2).* 

Half of all older women in 1993 were widows (48%). There were nearly five times as manywidows (8.6 million) as widowers (1.8 million).* 

Although divorced older persons represented only 5% of all older persons in 1993, theirnumbers (1.6 million) had increased three times as fast as the older population as a wholesince 1980 (2.0 times for men, 4.3 times for women).* 
TABLE 2: MARITAL STATUS OF PERSONS 65+ in 1993*MARRIED%Men77%Women42%WIDOWED%Men14%Women48%SINGLE (Never Married)%Men4%Women4%DIVORCED%Men5%Women6%
*Based on data from US. Bureau of the Census*
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
The majority (68%) of older noninstitutionalized persons lived in a family setting in1993. Approximately 10.5 million or 82% of older men, and 10.4 million or 57% of olderwomen, lived in families (Table 3). The proportion living in a family setting de- creasedwith age. About 13% (7% of men, 17% of women) were not living with a spouse but wereliving with children, siblings, or other relatives. An additional 3% of men and 2% ofwomen, or 685,000 older persons, lived with nonrelatives.* 

About 30% (9.4 million) of all noninstitutionalized older persons in 1993 lived alone(7.4 million women, 2.0 million men). They represented 41% of older women and 16% of oldermen. Older persons living alone increased in number by 32% between 1980 and 1993, comparedwith 27% for the balance of the older population.* 
Table 3: Living Arrangements of Persons 65+: 1993Men%Living with Spouse75%Living with Other Relatives7%Living Alone or with Nonrelatives18%Women%Living with Spouse41%Living with Other Relatives17%Living Alone or with Nonrelatives43%
*Based on data from U.S. Bureau of the Census*

A 1984 study found that 4 of every 5 older persons had living children. Of these,two-thirds (66%) lived within 30 minutes of a child. Six out of ten (62%) had at leastweekly visits with children and three-fourths (76%) talked on the phone at least weeklywith children.* 

While a small number (1.6 million) and percentage (5%) of the 65+ population lived innursing homes in 1990, the percentage increased dramatically with age, ranging from 1% forpersons 65-74 years to 6% for persons 75-84 years and 24% for persons 85+. 
RACIAL and ETHNIC COMPOSITION
In 1993, about 96% of persons 65+ were not of Hispanic origin-- 86% were White, 8% wereBlack, 2% 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 4% of the olderpopulation. 

Only 7% of minority race and Hispanic populations were 65+ in 1993 (8% of nonhispanicblacks, 7% of Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and native Alaskans, 6% ofHispanics), compared with 15% of nonhispanic whites. 
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
In 1993, about half (52%) of persons 65+ lived in nine states. California had over 3million, Florida and New York had over 2 million each, and Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio,Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey each had over 1 million (Table 4). 

Persons 65+ constituted 14.0% or more of the total population in 12 states in 1993(Table 4): Florida (18.6%); Pennsylvania (15.8%); Iowa and Rhode Island (15.5% each); WestVirginia (15.3%); Arkansas (15.0%); North Dakota (14.8%); South Dakota (14.7%); Nebraskaand Missouri (14.2% each); Connecticut (14.1%); and Massachusetts (14.0%). 

In eight states, the 65+ population increased by 8.5% or more between 1990 and 1993(Table 4): Nevada (22%); Alaska (19%); Arizona (11%); Hawaii, Utah, and New Mexico (10%each); and Wyoming and Colorado (9% each). 

The 13 states with the highest poverty rates for the elderly in 1989 are located in theSouth, including 8 states with poverty rates of 20% or more: Mississippi (29%); Louisianaand Alabama (24% each); Arkansas (23%); Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina (21%each); and Georgia (20%).* 

Persons 65+ were slightly less likely to live in metropolitan areas in 1993 thanyounger persons (74% of the elderly, 78% of persons under 65). About 29% of older personslived in central cities, and 44% lived in suburbs.* 

The elderly are less likely to change residence than other age groups. In 1992 only 5%of persons 65+ had moved since 1991 (compared to 19% of persons under 65).The majority(75%) had moved to another home in the same state.* 
TABLE 4: THE 65+ POPULATION BY STATE: 1993StateNumber    (000s)    1993Percent    of all    ages 1993Percent    increase    1990-3Percent below    poverty level*    1989U.S., total32,79112.75.512.8Alabama54513.04.824.0Alaska264.419.37.6Arizona52913.411.110.8Arkansas36215.03.922.9California3,30310.66.17.6Colorado35710.08.811.0Connecticut46214.14.27.2Delaware8712.48.410.1District of Columbia7713.3-0.217.2Florida53918.67.810.8Georgia69510.16.920.4Hawaii13711.710.48.0Idaho13011.87.411.5Illinois1,47912.63.410.7Indiana72812.74.910.8Iowa43615.52.411.2Kansas35313.93.212.0Kentucky48212.73.620.6Louisiana48711.34.524.1Maine17013.74.514.0Maryland54911.16.810.5Massachusetts84214.03.39.4Michigan1,17112.46.010.8Minnesota568 12.64.112.1Mississippi32912.53.129.4 Missouri74114.23.6 14.8Montana11313.46.212.5Nebraska 22914.22.812.2Nevada 155 11.122.19.6New Hampshire134 11.97.6 10.2New Jersey1,07113.64.58.5New Mexico17811.09.716.5New York 2,38813.12.011.9North Carolina86512.58.119.5North Dakota9414.83.414.6Ohio1,48013.35.510.7 Oklahoma44013.64.017.9Oregon41813.87.310.1Pennsylvania1,908 15.84.710.6Rhode Island15515.53.311.6South Carolina426 11.78.120.5South Dakota105 14.7 3.315.5Tennessee 65112.85.6 20.9Texas1,83510.27.418.4Utah1658.910.28.8Vermont6912.05.212.4Virginia71211.07.614.1Washington 61211.66.89.1West Virginia27815.33.716.7Wisconsin67613.43.99.1Wyoming5110.99.210.7
*Based on data from U.S. Bureau of the Census*
INCOME
The median income of older persons in 1993 was $14,983 for males and $8,499 forfemales. After adjusting for a 1992-93 inflation rate of 3%, these figures represented nosignificant change in "real" income from 1992 for both women and men.* 

Households containing families headed by persons 65+ reported a median income in 1993of $25,821 ($26,503 for Whites, $18,489 for Blacks, and $19,569 for Hispanics). Nearly oneof every five (21%) family households with an elderly head had incomes less than $15,000and 41% had incomes of $30,000 or more (Table 5).* 
Table 5: Percent Distribution by Income: 1993*Family households    with head 65 +%Under $5,0001%$5,000- $9,9996%$10,000-$14,99913%$15,000-$19,99914%$20,000- $29,99923%$30,000- $39,99915%$40,000- $49,9998%$50,000 and over18%Nonfamily households    with head 65+%Under $5,0009%$5,000- $9,99936%$10,000- $14,99922%$15,000-$19,99912%$20,000- $29,99911%$30,000- $39,9995%$40,000-$49,9992%$50,000 and over3%
*Notes:*- $25,821 median for 11.2 million family households 65 + 
- $10,908 median for 9.6 million nonfamily households 65 + 

*Based on data from US. Bureau of the Census*

Elderly nonfamily households (persons living alone or with nonrelatives) were likely tohave low incomes in 1993, with 45% reporting less than $10,000. One in twelve (9%) hadincomes under $5,000, and 33% had $15,000 or more. The median income in 1993 for thesehouseholds was $10,908 ($11,283 for Whites, $7,492 for Blacks, and $7,347 for Hispanics).*

The major source of income for older couples and individuals in 1992 was SocialSecurity (40%), followed by asset income (21%), public and private pensions (19%),earnings (17%), and all other sources (3%).* 

Older households were less likely than younger households in 1993 to have receivedpublic assistance income (19% vs. 22%), food stamps (6% vs. 11%), or to have one or moremembers covered by Medicaid (12% vs. 15%). Over one-fourth (28%) of older renterhouseholds lived in publicly owned or subsidized housing in 1992 (12% for youngerrenters).* 

The median net worth (assets minus liabilities) of older households ($73,500),including those 75+ years ($61,500), was well above the U.S. average ($35,800)in 1988. Networth was below $10,000 for 17% of older households but was above $250,000 for 14%.* 
POVERTY
About 3.8 million elderly persons were below the poverty level** in 1993. The povertyrate for persons 65+ was 12.2%, about the same as the rate for persons 18-64 (12.4%).Another 2.3 million or 8% of the elderly were classified as "near-poor" (incomebetween the poverty level and 125% of this level). In total, one-fifth (20%) of the olderpopulation was poor or near-poor in 1993.* 

One of every nine (11%) elderly Whites was poor in 1993, compared to over one-fourth(28%) of elderly Blacks and one-fifth (21%) of elderly Hispanics.* 

Older women had a higher poverty rate (15%) than older men (8%)in 1993. Likewise, olderpersons living alone or with nonrelatives were more likely to be poor (24%) than wereolder persons living in families (6%).* 

Over four of ten (44%) older black women who lived alone were poor in 1993. The povertyrate in 1993 for people 65+ was also high for those who lived in nonmetropolitan areas(16%) or the South (16%), had not completed high school (20%), or were too ill or disabledto work (21%).* 
HOUSING
Of the 20.9 million households headed by older persons in 1993, 77% were owners and 23%were renters. Older male householders were more likely to be owners (85%) than werefemales (67%).* 

The housing of older Americans is generally older and less adequate than the balance ofthe nation's housing. About 38% of homes owned by older persons in 1991 were built priorto 1950 (23% for younger owners) and 7% had physical problems (6% for younger owners).* 

The percentage of income spent on housing (excluding maintenance and repair) in 1991was higher for older households than for younger households among homeowners without amortgage (16% vs. 9%), homeowners with a mortgage (28% vs. 22%), and renters (37% vs.27%).* 

In 1991, the median value of homes owned by older persons was $70,400 ($46,600 forBlacks and $81,200 for Hispanics). About 82% of older homeowners in 1991 owned their homesfree and clear.* 
EMPLOYMENT
About 3.5 million older Americans (11%) were in the labor force (working or activelyseeking work) in 1993, including 2.0 million men (16%) and 1.5 million women (8%). Theyconstituted 2.7% of the U.S. labor force. About 3.2% of them were unemployed.* 

Labor force participation of older men decreased steadily from 2 of 3 in 1900 to 15.8%in 1985, and has stayed at 16% since then. The participation rate for older females roseslightly from 1 of 12 in 1900 to 10.8% in 1956, fell to 7.3% in 1985, and has been around8% since 1988.* 

Approximately half (54%) of the workers over 65 in 1993 were employed part-time: 48% ofmen and 60% of women.* 

About 834,000 or 24% of older workers in 1993 were self-employed, compared to 8% foryounger workers. Three-fourths of them (75%) were men.* 
EDUCATION
The educational level of the older population is increasing. Between 1970 and 1993, thepercentage who had completed high school rose from 28% to 60%. About 12% in 1993 had abachelors degree or more. Nevertheless, the average performance of people 65+ on the1992National Adult Literacy Survey was below all other age groups. * 

The percentage who had completed high school varied considerably by race and ethnicorigin among older persons in 1993: 63% of Whites, 33% of Blacks, and 26% of Hispanics.* 
HEALTH and HEALTH CARE
In 1992, 29% of older persons assessed their health as fair or poor (compared to 8% forpersons under 65). There was little difference between the sexes on this measure, butolder Blacks were much more likely to rate their health as fair or poor (44%) than wereolder Whites (27%).* 

The number of days in which usual activities are restricted because of illness orinjury increases with age. Older persons averaged 35 such days in 1992 (34 days for males,37 days for females, 34 days for whites, 48 days for blacks) and spent all or most of 15of these days in bed (14 days for males, 15 days for females, 14 days for Whites, 22 daysfor Blacks).* 

In 1986, about 6.1 million (23%) older people living in the community hadhealth-related difficulties with one or more activities of daily living or ADLs (18% ofmen, 26% of women) and 7.6 million (28%) had difficulty with one or more instrumentalactivities of daily living or IADLs (19% of men, 35% of women). Less than half who haddifficulty with ADLs but most of those who had difficulty with IADLs were receiving atleast some personal help. The percentages needing and receiving help increased sharplywith age (Table 6).[ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, transferring from bed orchair, walking, getting outside, and using toilet. IADLs include preparing meals,shopping, managing money, using telephone, and doing housework.]* 
Table 6: Percent Having Difficulty and Receiving Help with Selected  Activities, By Age: 1986*One or More    ADLs% HAVING    DIFFICULTY% RECEIVING    SOME HELPAll 65+23%10%65-7417%6%75-8429%14%85+45% 29%One or More    IADLsAll 65+28%23%65-7421%17%75-8435%30%85+58%53%
*NOTE:*- Data refer to health-related difficulties only. Based on data from U.S. Department    of Health and Human Services 

Most older persons have at least one chronic condition and many have multipleconditions. The most frequently occurring conditions per 100 elderly in 1992 were:arthritis (48), hypertension (36), heart disease and hearing impairments (32 each),orthopedic impairments (19), cataracts (17), sinusitis (16), diabetes (11), and tinnitusand visual impairments (9 each).* 

Older people accounted for 35% of all hospital stays and 46% of all days of care inhospitals in 1992. The average length of a hospital stay was 8.2 days for older people,compared to only 5.1 days for people under 65. The average length of stay for olderpeoplehasdecreased6.0days since 1968 and 2.5 days since 1980. Older persons also averagedmore contacts with doctors in 1992 than did persons under 65 (11 contacts vs. 5 contacts).* 

In 1987 the 65+ group represented 12% of the U.S. population but accounted for 36% oftotal personal health care expenditures. These expenditures totaled $162 billion andaveraged $5,360 per year for each older person, more than 4 times the $1,290 spent foryounger persons. About $1,500 or one-fourth of the average expenditure came from direct("out-of-pocket") payments by or for older persons. 

Hospital expenses accounted for the largest share (42%) of health expenditures forolder persons in 1987, followed by physicians (21%), and nursing home care (20%). 

Benefits from government programs, including Medicare ($72 billion), Medicaid ($20billion), and others ($10 billion), covered about two-thirds (63%) of the healthexpenditures for older persons in 1987, compared to only 26% for persons under 65. 

*Footnotes:*

* Numbers or percentages in paragraphs and tables followed by this symbol refer to thenoninstitutionalized population only. ** By the official 1993 definition of $8,740 for anolder couple household or $6,930 for an older individual living alone. 

"A Profile of Older Americans: 1994" was prepared by the Administration onAging (AoA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.The printed version of thisbrochure was prepared with the assistance of the Program Resources Department, AmericanAssociation of Retired Persons (AARP). 

The information in this brochure was researched and compiled by Donald G. Fowles,AoA.Production of the printed version of this document is by Felo Madrid, AARP. 

**For up to 50 copies of the printed version (brochure), write:**
  Profile of Older Americans: 1994  AARP Fulfillment  601 E Street, N.W.  Washington, D.C. 20049
**For quantities over 50, write:**
  Program Resources Department  American Association of Retired Persons  601 E Street, N.W.  Washington, DC 20049 
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Hypertext by Saadia Greenberg,original hypertext conversion July 31, 1995; last updated November 30, 1997