The Population 65 Years and Older in the 

United States: 2016

American Community Survey Reports

By Andrew W. Roberts, Stella U. Ogunwole, 

Laura Blakeslee, and Megan A. Rabe

Issued October 2018

ACS-38

INTRODUCTION

Lower fertility and increased longevity have led to the 

rapid growth of the older population across the world 

and in the United States. In 2015, among the 7.3 billion 

people estimated worldwide, 617.1 million (9 percent) 

were aged 65 and older. By 2030, the older population will be about 1 billion (12 percent of the projected 

total world population) and by 2050, 1.6 billion (17 

percent) of the total population of 9.4 billion will be 

65 and older. This rapid growth of the older population contrasts with an almost flat youth population 

(under age 20) and moderate increase in the workingage (aged 20 to 64) population projected over the 

same period.1

The older population is also growing across world 

regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America 

and the Caribbean, Northern America, and Oceania, 

although at varying levels. Europe is currently the 

oldest region, with 17.4 percent of the total population 

aged 65 and older in 2015; by 2050, the older population will make up more than a quarter of Europe’s 

total population. The older population in Asia and 

Latin America and the Caribbean will grow the fastest 

of all regions, with Asia’s older population almost tripling in size from 341.4 million in 2015 to 975.3 million 

in 2050. Because of high fertility rates leading to a 

1 Wan He, Daniel Goodkind, and Paul Kowal, U.S. Census Bureau, 

International Population Reports, P95/16-1, An Aging World: 2015, 

U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC, 2016. 

young age structure, population projections indicate 

that Africa will remain relatively younger than the 

other regions—even while the older African population nearly quadruples from 40.6 million in 2015 to 

150.5 million in 2050. The population of Northern 

America, which includes the United States, is also 

continuing to age and, according to projections, will 

retain its position as the second oldest region in the 

world in 2050 with 21.4 percent of the total population 65 and older.2

The U.S. older population grew rapidly for most of the 

20th century, from 3.1 million in 1900 to 35.0 million 

in 2000. Except during the 1990s, when the relatively 

smaller Depression Era cohort of the 1930s reached 

the age of 65, the growth of the population 65 and 

older surpassed that of the total population and the 

population under the age of 65.3 The United States 

will experience further expansion of the older population for many decades to come, fueled by the baby 

boom cohort that began turning 65 years old in 2011.4

2 See footnote 1.

3 Jennifer M. Ortman, Victoria A. Velkoff, and Howard Hogan, 

An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States, Current 

Population Reports, P25-1140, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 

2014.

4 The baby boom includes people born from mid-1946 to 1964. 

The baby boom is distinguished by a dramatic increase in birth rates 

following World War II and comprises one of the largest generations 

in U.S. history. For more information, see Howard Hogan, Deborah 

Perez, and William Bell, Who (Really) Are the First Baby Boomers?

Joint Statistical Meetings Proceedings, Social Statistics Section, 

Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association, 2008, pp. 1009–16.
Growth of the U.S. older population has generated numerous 

studies, programs, and policy initiatives needed to advance knowledge of and plan investments 

for this population. This report 

will present a statistical portrait 

of selected demographic, social, 

housing, and economic characteristics of the 65-and-older population in the United States based on 

2016 American Community Survey 

(ACS) 1-year data. The information includes population size and 

age and sex composition, race 

and Hispanic origin, marital status, 

living arrangements and caregiving for coresident grandchildren, 

nativity and citizenship status, 

English ability and language 

spoken, educational attainment, 

computer ownership and Internet 

access, homeownership, disability, 

labor force participation, occupation, median earnings, income 

type, and poverty status. 

In addition to the older population being a larger segment of 

the U.S. population, many of the 

social norms associated with old 

age have changed in recent years. 

Individuals are remaining in the 

labor force past the typical retirement age of 65. Modern health 

care improvements have allowed 

many to stay more active and 

healthy. Many remain in their own 

households instead of retirement 

or assisted care communities, 

even living as caregivers to grandchildren. The older population 

is an important segment of the 

U.S. population, and increasingly 

within it exist distinct groups with 

different lifestyles and needs.5 To 

this end, the report will focus on 

selected older age groups including people aged 65 to 74, 75 to 

84, and 85 and older and drawing 

comparisons among them. 

DEMOGRAPHIC 

CHARACTERISTICS

Population Size, Age, and Sex 

Composition 

More than half of the older 

population was between the ages 

of 65 and 74. 

The 2016 ACS estimated the number of people in the United States 

aged 65 and over as 49.2 million. 

Of them, more than half (28.7 

5 Federal Interagency Forum on AgingRelated Statistics, Older Americans

2016: Key Indicators of Well-Being, 

Federal Interagency Forum on AgingRelated Statistics, Washington, DC, 

U.S. Government Printing Office, August 

2016.

million or 58 percent) were aged 

65 to 74. The 75 to 84 age group 

share of the older population was 

around 14.3 million or 29 percent—

more than double the number 

and proportion (6.3 million or 13 

percent) for those 85 and older 

(Table 1). 

There were more females 

than males among the older 

population. 

There were more older females 

(27.5 million) than older males 

(21.8 million), with the disparity 

in numbers between the sexes 

increasing with age. Of the 28.7 

million aged 65 to 74, 15.3 million were female while 13.4 million 

were male. There were about 2 

million more females (8.1 million) 

than males (6.2 million) among the 

75 to 84 age group. Nearly twice 

as many females (4.1 million) as 

males (2.2 million) were 85 and 

older. 

Table 1.

Population 65 Years and Older by Age and Sex: 2016

(Numbers in thousands. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling 

error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Age Total population Male Female 

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

    65 years and older . . . . . . . . . 49,220 100.0 21,760 100.0 27,450 100.0

65 to 74 years ...................... 28,680 58.3 13,410 61.6 15,270 55.6

75 to 84 years ...................... 14,260 29.0 6,178 28.4 8,079 29.4

85 years and older .................. 6,277 12.8 2,173 10.0 4,103 14.9

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

2 U.S. Census Bureau
The sex ratio declined with age. 

The sex ratio, a measure of sex 

composition, also portrayed 

the disparity in the number of 

males and females among the 

U.S. older population. The sex 

ratio is defined as the number 

of males per 100 females.6 A sex 

ratio of exactly 100 would indicate an equal number of males 

and females, with a sex ratio over 

100 indicating a greater number of males. A sex ratio below 

6 Frank Hobbs, “Age and Sex Composition,” 

The Methods and Materials of Demography, 

ed. Jacob S. Siegel and David A. Swanson, 

Elsevier, New York, 2004, p. 130.

100 implies more females. The 

sex ratio among the older population is a result of higher life 

expectancy of females relative to 

males.7 Nationwide, the sex ratio 

was 97 compared with 79 for 

7 The sex ratio at birth in the United States 

has been around 105 males for every 100 

females. However, since mortality at every 

age is generally higher for males, the sex 

ratio naturally declines with age. This 

tendency progresses through age 85 and 

above where there are considerably more 

surviving women. These trends result in 

more males at younger ages and more 

females at older ages. See Lindsay 

M. Howden and Julie A. Meyer, “Age and 

Sex Composition: 2010,” 2010 Census 

Briefs, C2010BR-03, U.S. Census Bureau, 

Washington, DC, 2011.

the older population. Among the 

older population, those aged 65 to 

74 had the highest sex ratio (88), 

while the population 85 and older 

had the lowest sex ratio (53), representing nearly two females for 

every male (Figure 1).

For the institutionalized 

population, the 65 to 74 

age group had the highest 

sex ratio (116) while the 85 

and over age group had the 

lowest (32), reflecting large 

shares of prison populations 

(mostly male) and those in 

nursing facilities (mostly 

female), respectively. 

Note: The “institutionalized population” is persons residing in institutional group quarters such as adult 

correctional facilities, juvenile facilities, skilled-nursing facilities, and 

other institutional facilities such as 

mental (psychiatric) hospitals and inpatient hospice facilities. For more 

information on institutional group 

quarters, please see Appendix B at 

<www.census.gov/prod/cen2010

/doc/sf1.pdf>, accessed March 6, 

2018, <https://factfinder.census.gov

/help/en/institutionalized

_population.htm>.

Figure 1.

Sex Ratio by Age: 2016

(Males per 100 females. Data based on sample. For information on 

confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and 

definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

79

88

76

53

85 and

older

65 and 65 to 74 75 to 84

older

Total

population

97

U.S. Census Bureau 3
Race and Hispanic Origin 

U.S. older population was 

largely White.

Almost two-thirds of the total 

U.S. population identified as 

being White in the 2016 ACS, and 

about 18 percent reported being 

of Hispanic origin (Table 2). The 

share of the total population that 

was Black was estimated to be 

around 12 percent; while the Asian 

and Two or More Races groups 

were about 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively.8 Additionally, 

American Indian and Alaska Native 

and Native Hawaiian and Other 

Pacific Islander populations, as well 

as those classified as Some Other 

Race composed less than 1 percent 

each of the total U.S. population.

Over three-quarters of the 49.2 

million older population was White. 

The proportions of the other 

groups’ older populations were less 

than their respective representations in the total population. Of 

those aged 65 and older, about 9 

8 See “Race and Hispanic Origin 

Terminology” text box.

percent were Black and 8 percent 

were Hispanic. Less than 5 percent 

and about 1 percent of the older 

population were Asian and Two or 

More Races, respectively. The proportions of older individuals who 

identified as American Indian and 

Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and 

Other Pacific Islander, and Some 

Other Race were each under 1 percent of those 65 and older. Among 

people 85 and older, Whites made 

up the highest percentage of the 

population at 81 percent. All the 

other groups each comprised less 

than 8 percent of those 85 and 

older. 

Race and Hispanic Origin Terminology

Individuals who responded to the question on race by indicating only 

one race are referred to as the race alone population or the group 

that reported only one race category. “Some Other Race alone” 

refers to individuals who did not identify with any of the five race 

categories, and “Two or More Races” denotes the population that 

identified with more than one race. Persons of Hispanic origin may 

be of any race. This report will refer to the White alone, non-Hispanic 

population as White; Black or African American alone, non-Hispanic 

population as Black; Asian alone, non-Hispanic population as Asian; 

American Indian and Alaska Native alone, non-Hispanic population 

as American Indian and Alaska Native; Native Hawaiian and Other 

Pacific Islander alone, non-Hispanic population as Native Hawaiian 

and Other Pacific Islander; Some Other Race alone, non-Hispanic 

population as Some Other Race; and Two or More Races, nonHispanic population as Two or More Races unless otherwise noted. 

The use of these categories does not imply that this is the preferred 

method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau uses a 

variety of approaches.

Table 2.

Population by Age and Race and Hispanic Origin: 2016

(Numbers in thousands. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling 

error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Total Age

Race or Hispanic Origin population Under 65 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older

Number

Percent NumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercent

    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . 323,100 100.0 273,900 100.0 49,220 100.0 28,680 100.0 14,260 100.0 6,277 100.0

Hispanic or Latino ......... 57,400 17.8 53,460 19.5 3,938 8.0 2,395 8.4 1,119 7.8 423 6.7

Not Hispanic or Latino ..... 265,700 82.2 220,500 80.5 45,280 92.0 26,290 91.7 13,140 92.1 5,853 93.2

 White alone .............

 Black or African 

197,500 61.1 159,400 58.2 38,060 77.3 21,810 76.0 11,140 78.1 5,109 81.4

  American alone ........

 American Indian and 

39,720 12.3 35,330 12.9 4,389 8.9 2,731 9.5 1,206 8.5 453 7.2

  Alaska Native alone .... 2,126 0.7 1,901 0.7 224 0.5 147 0.5 58 0.4 20 0.3

 Asian alone .............

 Native Hawaiian and 

  Other Pacific Islander 

17,350 5.4 15,260 5.6 2,084 4.2 1,267 4.4 595 4.2 221 3.5

  alone ................. 534 0.2 488 0.2 46 0.1 29 0.1 11 0.1 6 0.1

 Some Other Race alone .. 758 0.2 711 0.3 48 0.1 31 0.1 12 0.1 5 0.1

 Two or More Races ...... 7,769 2.4 7,347 2.7 423 0.9 270 0.9 113 0.8 40 0.6

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1 -year estimates.

4 U.S. Census Bureau
SOCIAL AND HOUSING 

CHARACTERISTICS

Marital Status 

Most males and females aged 65 

and older had been married at 

some point in their lives.

Figure 2 compares the marital 

status of males and females 65 

and older relative to the total 

population. Only 6 percent of 

older men were never married 

compared with 37 percent of 

men 15 and older. Older males 

were more likely to be married or 

widowed (70 percent and 12 percent, respectively) compared with 

males in the total population (49 

percent and 3 percent). 

Females 65 and older, as with 

older males, were significantly 

less likely to have never married 

(6 percent) compared with all 

females 15 and older (31 percent). 

Among older women, 44 percent 

were married—less than the 46 

percent of women 15 and older 

who were married. Also, older 

women (34 percent) were more 

likely to be widowed than women 

15 and older (9 percent).

More than twice as many women 

aged 85 and older were widowed 

compared to men of the same age.

With increasing age, women 

were less likely to be married or 

divorced but more likely to be 

widowed, reflecting a longer life 

expectancy relative to men. About 

2 out of 10 women aged 65 to 74 

were widowed compared with 4 

out of 10 women aged 75 to 84 

and 7 out of 10 women 85 and 

older. More than twice as many 

women 85 and older were widowed (72 percent) compared to 

men of the same age (35 percent).

Figure 2.

Marital Status by Age and Sex: 2016

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Never married Married Separated Divorced Widowed

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

15 and older

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

15 and older

Note: The percentages for each group may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Male

Female

36.9 49.1 1.7 9.7

5.6 69.5 1.4 11.9 11.6

6.5 71.6 1.5 14.0 6.4

4.1 70.5 1.2 9.5 14.7

4.1 53.9 0.8 6.0 35.3

30.6 46.0 2.3 12.3 8.8

5.6 43.9 1.2 15.1 34.2

6.3 54.4 1.5 18.2 19.5

4.6 38.7 0.8 13.0 42.9

4.6 15.1 0.4 8.0 71.9

2.6

U.S. Census Bureau 5
Even the oldest men were more 

often married, while very few 

women in this age category were 

married.

Similar proportions of males and 

females aged 15 and older were 

married according to the 2016 

ACS (49 percent and 46 percent, 

respectively). However, among the 

population 65 and older, males 

were significantly more likely to be 

married (70 percent) compared 

with females (44 percent) in the 

same age group. Among men 

aged 65 to 74, almost three-quarters were married, compared with 

about half of men 85 and older. 

Even at the oldest age group, 85 

and older, 54 percent of males 

were still married compared with 

15 percent of females.

Living Arrangements

The likelihood of living in a family 

household diminished with age.

Figure 3 illustrates the effects of 

life transitions on living arrangements of the older population. 

The proportion of older adults in 

each type of living arrangement 

changed with increasing age. In 

the 2016 ACS, the majority of the 

total population (81 percent) and 

people 65 and older (68 percent) 

lived in family households. The 

proportion living in family households shrunk from almost threequarters among those aged 65 

to 74 to less than half for those 

85 and older, perhaps due to 

widowhood and a lower rate of 

remarriage.

Older people were far more likely 

to live alone and in group quarters 

with age. 

The steady decrease in the proportion living in family households 

among the older population was 

accompanied by an increase in the 

proportion living alone. About 1 

out of 5 adults 65 to 74 years old 

lived alone, but that figure doubled to around 4 out of 10 among 

those 85 and older. People 85 and 

older were also more likely to live 

in group quarters (11 percent), 

such as nursing facilities, and less 

likely to live in nonfamily households (2.1 percent) than other 

older adults.

Figure 3.

Living Arrangements by Age: 2016

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total

population

1 Major types of group quarters are adult correctional facilities, juvenile facilities, nursing facilities/skilled nursing facilities, other health care 

facilities/residential schools for people with disabilities, college/university student housing, military quarters/military ships, and other 

noninstitutional facilities. 

Note: The percentages for each group may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

2.5 10.3 81.0 6.2

3.1 25.9 67.6 3.4

1.4 21.7 72.9 4.0

3.2 28.5 65.6 2.8

10.6 39.0 48.2 2.1

Living with nonfamily in 

a household

Living alone in 

a household

Living with family in 

a household

Living in group 

quarters1 

6 U.S. Census Bureau
With increasing age, grandparents 

were less likely to care for 

coresident grandchildren.

Over one-third each of all male 

and female grandparents aged 

30 and older were caregivers 

for their coresident grandchildren (Figure 4).9 Both male and 

9 Data on grandparents as caregivers 

were derived from Questions 25a through 

25c in the 2016 ACS. Data were collected on whether a grandchild lives with 

a grandparent in the household, whether 

the grandparent is financially responsible 

for food, shelter, clothing, day care, etc., 

for any or all grandchildren living in the 

household, and the duration of that responsibility. See American Community Survey 

and Puerto Rico Community Survey 2016 

Subject Definition, U.S. Census Bureau, 

Washington, DC, 2016, accessed March

6, 2018, <www2.census.gov

/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs

/subject_definitions/2016_

ACSSubjectDefinitions.pdf>.

female grandparents 65 and 

older were less likely than their 

younger counterparts, aged 30 to 

64, to live with and provide care 

for grandchildren. The share of 

coresident caregivers declined 

even further with age. There were 

30 percent male and 25 percent 

female grandparents aged 65 to 

74 that provided care for their 

coresident grandchildren, compared with grandparents (13 percent male and 10 percent female) 

85 and older. 

Across all older ages, men were 

more likely to be caregivers for 

their coresident grandchildren.

In each age category, a higher 

proportion of male than female 

grandparents reported providing 

care for their coresident grandchildren. For the population aged 

30 to 64, men (41 percent) and 

women (40 percent) were almost 

equally likely to be caregivers for 

their grandchildren. The difference was greater for each age 

group of older grandparents, with 

men aged 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 

being more likely to provide care 

for their grandchildren by 5 percentage points. 

Figure 4.

Grandparents Who Were Caregivers for Their Coresident Grandchildren by Age: 2016

(Percent of grandparents living in households with one or more own grandchildren under age 18 and responsible for 

their coresident grandchildren. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

34.1

40.7 40.0

26.8

22.0

85 and

older

65 and 65 to 74 75 to 84

older

Total 30 to 64

grandparents,

30 and older

35.6

25.1

20.6

15.7

12.5

9.5

30.1

Male Female

U.S. Census Bureau 7
Nativity and Citizenship Status

About one in ten older Asians was 

native born.

Most people, including the older 

population, in the United States 

were native born (87 percent). 

Among older Asians, about one 

out of ten was native born. The 

majority of older Hispanics were 

either native born, 45 percent, or 

naturalized citizens, 35 percent, 

(Figure 5).10 At least 80 percent 

of older Whites, Blacks, and All 

Other Races were born in the 

United States. The older White 

and Black populations were far 

more likely to be native born than 

the Hispanic and Asian older 

populations, most likely due to the 

10 The Census Bureau uses the term 

foreign born to refer to anyone who is not a 

U.S. citizen at birth. This includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, 

temporary migrants (such as foreign 

students), humanitarian migrants (such as 

refugees), and undocumented migrants. 

The term native born refers to anyone born 

in the United States, Puerto Rico, or a 

U.S. Island Area, or those born abroad of at 

least one U.S. citizen.

latter two groups including more 

recent immigrants than the White 

and Black groups.11

Among the foreign-born 

population, older persons of all 

races and ethnicities were more 

likely than younger persons to be 

naturalized citizens.

For all races and ethnicities, 

foreign-born people aged 65 

and older were more likely to be 

11 The 2010 ACS estimated the number 

of foreign born in the United States to be 

nearly 40 million or 13 percent of the total 

population. The foreign-born population 

from Latin America was the largest (53 

percent of all foreign born) followed by 

the foreign born from Asia (28 percent). 

The foreign born from Latin America and 

Asia accounted for over 70 percent of the 

newly arrived in 2005 or later. See Elizabeth 

M. Grieco, Yesenia D. Acosta, G. Patricia 

del la Cruz, Christine Gambino, Thomas 

Gryn, Luke J. Larsen, Edward N. Trevelyan, 

and Nathan P. Walters, “The Foreign-Born 

Population in the United States: 2010,” 

American Community Survey Reports, 

ACS-19, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, 

DC, 2012; Nathan P. Walters and Edward 

N. Trevelyan, “The Newly Arrived ForeignBorn Population in the United States: 

2010,” American Community Survey 

Briefs, ACSBR/10-16, U.S. Census Bureau, 

Washington, DC, 2011.

naturalized citizens than foreign 

born in the total population; in 

particular, older foreign-born 

Hispanics were nearly three times 

as likely to be naturalized citizens 

as foreign-born Hispanics in the 

total population (35 percent versus 12 percent). 

However, citizenship status among 

the older population did vary by 

race and ethnicity. For the older 

foreign-born Asian population, 70 

percent were naturalized citizens 

whereas 18 percent were noncitizens. Among the older foreignborn Hispanic population, the 

shares were 35 percent and 20 

percent, respectively.

8 U.S. Census Bureau
Figure 5.

Nativity and Citizenship Status by Age and Race and Hispanic Origin: 2016

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

1 Due to small sample size, American Indian and Alaska Native alone, non-Hispanic; Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific 

Islander alone, non-Hispanic; Some Other Race alone, non-Hispanic; and Two or More Races, non-Hispanic were 

combined into "All other races, non-Hispanic" for this figure.

Note: The percentages for each group may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

65 and older

All ages

65 and older

All ages

65 and older

All ages

65 and older

All ages

65 and older

All ages

65 and older

All ages

Native born Foreign born, naturalized citizen Foreign born, not a citizen

Total population

Hispanic or Latino

White alone, non-Hispanic

Black or African American alone, non-Hispanic

Asian alone, non-Hispanic

All Other Races, non-Hispanic1

86.5 6.6 7.0

86.5 10.0 3.5

65.8 12.2 22.0

45.2 35.3 19.5

96.0 2.5 1.5

94.5 4.4 1.1

90.8 5.4 3.8

89.7 7.6 2.7

33.3 38.8 27.9

12.2 69.6 18.1

91.3 4.6 4.1

84.1 11.8 4.1

U.S. Census Bureau 9
Type of Language Spoken at 

Home and Ability to Speak English

The majority of the older nativeborn population but a smaller 

proportion of the older foreignborn population spoke only 

English at home.

Among the native born, 95 percent of the older population and 

89 percent of the total population 

spoke only English at home (Figure 

6). However, less than one-quarter 

of the foreign-born population 

spoke only English at home—22 

percent among those aged 65 and 

older and 16 percent for the total 

foreign-born population. 

The older foreign-born population 

that spoke a language other than 

English at home were less likely to 

speak English “very well.”

Fifty-six percent of the older 

foreign-born population that 

spoke a language other than 

English at home spoke English 

“less than very well” compared 

with their native-born counterparts at 2 percent. Also, more of 

the total foreign-born population 

(49 percent) that spoke a language other than English at home 

spoke English “less than very well” 

compared with the total nativeborn population (2 percent).

Figure 6.

Language Spoken at Home and English-Speaking Ability by Age and Nativity: 2016

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Note: The percentages for each group may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Spoke a language other than English 

and spoke English less than “very well"

Spoke a language other than English

and spoke English “very well”

Spoke only English at home

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

5 and older

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

5 and older

15.9 35.0 49.1

55.6

54.7

57.1

25.2 18.5 56.3

22.3

21.0

21.9

88.8

94.1

94.8

95.1

94.9

22.5

24.3

20.6

9.3

4.0

3.6

3.5

3.5

1.8

1.8

1.5

1.3

1.6

Native-born

Foreign-born

For those who came to the 

United States after 2010, 

more of the older population 

spoke only English at home 

(15 percent) compared to 

those younger than the age 

of 65 (12 percent). However, 

for those who spoke a language other than English at 

home, fewer people 65 and 

older spoke English “very 

well” (10 percent) relative to 

those under the age of 65 

(33 percent).

10 U.S. Census Bureau
Spanish was the language spoken 

most often other than English.

According to the 2016 ACS, the 

language spoken at home most 

often other than English by both 

native- and foreign-born individuals, aged 5 and older, was Spanish 

(Figure 7). Three-quarters of the 

native-born population and more 

than half of the foreign-born 

population who did not speak 

English at home spoke Spanish. 

Among the native-born population 

65 and older who did not speak 

English at home, over half spoke 

Spanish while about one-quarter 

spoke other Indo-European languages; less than 10 percent spoke 

Asian or Pacific Island and Other 

languages. 

The older foreign-born population 

was over five times more likely 

than the older native-born 

population to speak an Asian or 

Pacific Island language.

A significant proportion of older 

foreign-born people spoke 

Spanish (40 percent), but more 

than one-quarter (28 percent) 

spoke other Indo-European languages; another 28 percent spoke 

an Asian or Pacific Island language. Among the older nativeborn population, while the proportion who spoke Spanish was 

higher (66 percent) than among 

the older foreign-born population, 

a similar share (25 percent) spoke 

other Indo-European languages, 

and far fewer (5 percent) spoke 

Asian or Pacific Island languages. 

Figure 7.

Type of Language Other Than English Spoken at Home by Age and Nativity: 2016

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Note: The percentages for each group may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Spanish Other Indo-European languages Asian or Pacific Island languages Other languages

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

5 and older

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

5 and older

51.5 19.9 22.5

28.1

29.0

27.5

36.7 34.3 25.0

38.2

40.9

39.6

74.8

51.1

65.0

70.7

66.1

27.9

25.4

30.3

6.0

4.0

4.5

4.7

4.1

13.1

39.3

25.3

20.7

26.8

3.9

4.1

4.1

4.2

3.8

8.2

5.5

4.6

4.4

4.3

Native born

Foreign born

U.S. Census Bureau 11
Educational Attainment

The older population was less 

likely to have a high school 

diploma than the total population.

The proportions of older men 

(16 percent) and women (17 percent) that did not complete high 

school were significantly higher 

than men (13 percent) and women 

(12 percent) aged 25 and older 

(Figure 8). It was highest for the 

85 and older group, in which 24 

percent of men and 25 percent 

of women were not high school 

graduates.

Among the older population, a 

higher percentage of men than 

women had a bachelor’s degree.

Around 32 percent of men and 22 

percent of women aged 65 and 

older had at least a bachelor’s 

degree. The difference was most 

pronounced for those 85 and 

older. Nearly twice the percentage of men 85 and older had a 

bachelor’s degree or higher (28 

percent) relative to women in 

the same age group (15 percent). 

Educational attainment between 

men and women for the total 

population, however, was close 

to equal: almost 32 percent of 

women and 31 percent of men 25 

and older earned at least a bachelor’s degree. 

Figure 8.

Educational Attainment by Age and Sex: 2016

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Note: The percentages for each group may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Less than high school graduate High school graduate

Some college or associate’s degree Bachelor’s degree or higher

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

25 and older

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Total population,

25 and older

11.9 26.3 30.1

25.6

28.7

23.1

25.1 41.1 18.9

20.5

13.3

17.2

13.3

23.9

19.0

12.7

15.6

34.9

31.6

38.1

31.7

14.9

22.3

26.5

18.3

28.1

30.3

27.3

25.8

29.6

30.8

27.7

32.1

34.1

29.4

27.8

18.1

25.0

27.4

22.0

Male

Female

Younger persons of 

Hispanic origin are graduating high school at a much 

higher rate than their older 

counterparts—69 percent of 

Hispanics aged 25 to 64 

have at least a high school 

diploma, compared to 39 

percent for Hispanics 85 

and older.

12 U.S. Census Bureau
Computer Ownership and Internet 

Access

Around 80 percent of people 

aged 65 and older lived in a 

household that had a computer. 

One of the social norms changing for the older population is 

that of computer ownership and 

Internet access.12 While people 

65 and older were less likely than 

the total population to live in a 

household with a computer, 4 out 

of 5 still did so (Figure 9). Around 

93 percent of all people lived in 

12 U.S. Census Bureau, P152-153, 65+ in 

the United States: 2010, U.S. Government 

Printing Office, Washington, DC, 2014.

households with a computer, as 

compared with 80 percent of 

people 65 and older. Among the 

older population, the proportion 

was greatest for people aged 65 

to 74 (87 percent). 

Over three-fourths of the 

population aged 65 and over had 

access to the Internet. 

Internet access shared the same 

trend as computer ownership. The 

total population in households 

had higher instances of Internet 

access (89 percent) as compared 

with people 65 and older (76 percent). People aged 65 to 74 had 

the highest proportion of Internet 

access among the older population (83 percent) and people 

85 and older had the lowest (55 

percent). 

Around 55 percent of the 

older population living alone 

had access to the Internet, 

compared with 84 percent 

of those living in a family 

household and 77 percent 

of those living in a nonfamily household. 

Figure 9.

Computer Ownership and Internet Access by Age: 2016

(Percent distribution among persons in households, excluding group quarters. Data based on sample. For information 

on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

88.9

79.8 76.1

86.9 83.2

Total persons 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older

in households

93.1

70.0

57.5 55.1

74.2

Computer ownership1 Internet access2

1 Types of computer ownership include desktop or laptop, smartphone, tablet or other portable wireless computer, and some other type 

of computer.

2 Types of Internet access include any combination of a cellular data plan, broadband or high-speed Internet service, satellite Internet 

service, dial-up Internet service, and any other service that provides access to the Internet.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau 13
Homeownership Rate

A higher percentage of older 

householders than householders 

in the total population owned 

their homes.

Figure 10 shows that in all occupied housing units, around 78 percent of householders aged 65 and 

older owned a home according to 

the 2016 ACS. This is significantly 

different from the percentage of 

householders 15 and older 

(63 percent). 

Among the older population, the 

homeownership rate was lowest 

for those aged 85 and older. 

Around 79 percent of householders aged 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 

owned their home, as compared 

to 69 percent of householders 85 

and older. Even though they had 

the lowest rate of homeownership among the older population, 

people 85 and older owned their 

homes at a higher rate than the 

total population. The high homeownership rate for this 

population is consistent with the 

trend of more people remaining 

in their homes longer, instead of 

moving to retirement or assistedcare communities.13

13 U.S. Census Bureau. P130-140, 65+ in 

the United States: 2010, U.S. Government 

Printing Office, Washington, DC, 2014.

Figure 10.

Homeownership Rate by Age: 2016

(Percent of occupied housing units classified by age of householder. Data based on sample. For information on 

confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

63.1

77.9 79.4

All occupied 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older

housing units

68.7

78.9

The homeownership rate 

among race and Hispanic 

groups 65 and older ranged 

from 81 percent for Whites 

to 62 percent for Blacks.

14 U.S. Census Bureau
Disability

Serious difficulty walking or 

climbing stairs was the most 

prevalent disability for all older 

population age groups. 

Over 15 percent of those aged 65 

to 74 had ambulatory difficulty, 

along with over a quarter of those 

aged 75 to 84 and almost half of 

those 85 and older (Figure 11).14

For the population aged 65 to 74, 

difficulty hearing was the second 

most prevalent disability (9 percent), followed by difficulties with 

independent living (8 percent). It 

was the opposite for those 85 and 

older: difficulty doing errands, visiting a doctor’s office, or shopping 

was the second most common 

(43 percent) and having difficulty 

hearing was the third (35 percent). 

Having a hearing disability or an 

independent living disability was 

around 17 percent each for those 

aged 75 to 84. 

14 In an attempt to capture a variety 

of characteristics that encompass the 

definition of disability, the ACS identifies 

serious difficulty with four basic areas of 

functioning—hearing, vision, cognition, 

and ambulation. These functional limitations are supplemented by questions about 

difficulties with selected activities from 

the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) 

and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily 

Living (IADL) scales, namely difficulty bathing and dressing, and difficulty performing 

errands such as shopping. Overall, the ACS 

attempts to capture six aspects of disability, which can be used together to create an 

overall disability measure, or independently 

to identify populations with specific disability types. See American Community Survey 

and Puerto Rico Community Survey 2016 

Subject Definition, U.S. Census Bureau, 

Washington, DC, 2016, accessed March 6, 

2018, <www2.census.gov/programs

-surveys/acs/tech_docs/subject

_definitions/2016_ACSSubjectDefinitions

.pdf>.

The percentage of the population 

having each type of disability rose 

with age. 

The percentage of people with 

an independent living disability 

had one of the most noticeable 

increases: the disability rate for 

those aged 85 and older was 

almost six times the rate of those 

aged 65 to 74. The prevalence of 

a vision disability showed one of 

the smallest increases (5 percent 

for those aged 65 to 74 and 16 

percent for those 85 and older) 

and was one of the least prevalent 

disabilities for each age group.

About 69 percent of the 

population 85 and over had 

at least one type of disability, compared with just 

9 percent of the population 

under the age of 65.

Figure 11.

Disabilities by Age and Type: 2016

(Percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Data based on 

sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

1 Due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition.

4.5

15.8

9.2

15.4

26.2

48.4

10.1

5.4

4.4

9.3

24.3

7.6

17.2

43.4

23.3

17.4

34.6

7.2

65 to 74

75 to 84

85 and older

VISION

(Blind or serious

diculty seeing, 

even when wearing 

glasses)

HEARING 

(Deaf or serious

diculty hearing)

AMBULATORY

(Serious diculty

walking or climbing

stairs)

COGNITIVE1

(Serious diculty

concentrating,

remembering, or

making decisions)

SELF-CARE

(Diculty dressing

or bathing)

INDEPENDENT

LIVING1

(Diculty doing

errands alone

such as visiting

a doctor's oce

or shopping)

U.S. Census Bureau 15
ECONOMIC 

CHARACTERISTICS

Labor Force Participation and 

Occupation

Labor force participation was 

lower for the older population.

For the total population aged 16 

and over, 68 percent of males and 

58 percent of females participated 

in the labor force (Figure 12). 

Comparatively, for the population 

65 and older, 22 percent of men 

and 14 percent of women were in 

the labor force. While less than 

the total population, these proportions are consistent with trends 

showing the number of people 

65 and older in the workforce 

increasing.15 This is particularly visible for the 65 to 74 age group, in 

which around 30 percent of males 

and 22 percent of females were in 

the labor force.

In every age group, a larger 

proportion of men than women 

were in the labor force. 

While a higher proportion of men 

were in the labor force for all age 

groups, the difference was more 

pronounced for the oldest two 

age groups. Men were only about 

a fifth more likely to be in the 

labor force compared to women 

for the total population aged 16 

and older. That rose to over a 

third for the 65 to 74 age group. 

However, for those aged 75 to 

84, the percentage of men in the 

workforce (11 percent) was almost 

twice the percentage of women 

(6 percent), and for those 85 and 

older, the percentage of men was 

around double (4 percent of men 

compared to 2 percent of women). 

15 Braedyn Kromer and David Howard, 

“Labor Force Participation and Work Status 

of People 65 Years and Older,” American 

Community Survey Briefs, ACSBR/11-09, 

U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2013.

In all age groups, a higher 

proportion of women than men 

worked in the service sector and

sales and office sector, whereas 

a higher proportion of men 

participated in the production, 

transportation, and material 

moving sector and natural 

resources, construction, and 

maintenance sector.

A consistently higher percentage of women than men worked 

in the service sector, and women 

were about twice as likely to be 

employed in the sales and office 

sector compared to men (Figure 

13). Men, alternatively, were 

around three times as likely to 

be in the production, transportation, and material moving sector 

relative to women for most age 

groups. The difference is even 

more noticeable for the natural 

resources, construction, and 

maintenance sector: for the total 

population aged 16 and older, men 

were almost 18 times more likely 

than women to work in this sector. 

This dropped to seven times more 

likely at the 85 and older age 

group. 

Among all race and ethnic groups 16 and older, 

Hispanics had the highest 

rate of labor force participation (67 percent). However, 

for the population 65 and 

older, Hispanics had the 

lowest rate of labor force 

participation (16.6 percent) 

along with Blacks (16.5 

percent). Whites and Asians 

had the highest participation rates (18 percent each) 

for this age group.

Figure 12.

Labor Force Participation Rate by Age and Sex: 2016

(Percent of specified population that is in the labor force. Data based on 

sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

68.3

58.2

11.2

6.2

3.7

1.5

14.2

21.8

21.9

29.8

Male Female

Total population,

16 and older

65 and older

65 to 74

75 to 84

85 and older

16 U.S. Census Bureau
The percentage of those in the 

management, business, science, 

and arts sector was highest for 

men and lowest for women in the 

85 and older age group. 

The proportion of men working 

in the management, business, 

science, and arts occupations 

was higher for the older populations: around 34 percent for males 

age 16 and older compared to 43 

percent for males 65 and older. 

It reached 46 percent for men 85 

and older. 

The trend was opposite for 

women, for whom the general 

population 16 and older had the 

highest participation rate in management, business, science, and 

arts occupations (42 percent). 

Employment in this sector was 

lower for women aged 65 to 74 

at 39 percent but dropped even 

more to 29 percent for women 85 

and older.

Women 85 and older were most 

likely to have a sales and office 

occupation. 

In contrast to the management, 

business, science, and arts sector, 

the percentage of women in sales 

and office occupations was higher 

in the older age groups. This 

sector employed more women 

than the management, business, 

science, and the arts occupations 

for those aged 75 to 84 (40 percent) and those 85 and older (43 

percent).

Figure 13.

Occupation by Age and Sex: 2016

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, 

nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Note: The percentages for each group may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Management, Business,

Science, and Arts

Sales and Oce Service Natural Resouces, Construction,

and Maintenance

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Employed persons,

16 and older

85 and older

75 to 84

65 to 74

65 and older

Employed persons,

16 and older 41.6 30.3 21.5

19.4

19.2

21.1

21.0

0.9

0.6

0.6

0.9

28.7 43.3 1.0

32.4

39.1

38.1

34.0

45.6

42.0

43.2

43.1

36.7

36.0

40.3

5.8

5.9

5.2

5.1

5.3

17.0

21.3

18.4

18.2

19.3

17.9

12.1

16.4

16.5

16.2

16.1

7.4

9.8

10.1

8.2

15.0

13.6

12.3

11.9

14.4

Male

Female

Production, Transportation,

and Material Moving

Noncitizens 65 and older 

were most likely to be in 

service occupations (36 

percent), whereas nativeborn citizens of the same 

age were most likely to be 

in management, business, 

science, and arts occupations (42 percent).

U.S. Census Bureau 17
Median Earnings and Household 

Income 

Men and women aged 65 and 

older had higher median earnings 

than men and women 16 and 

older.

Figure 14 depicts median earnings by age and sex for full-time, 

year-round workers. The median 

earnings of workers 65 and older 

was $56,850 for men and $41,200 

for women. Among these older 

workers, men aged 65 to 74 had 

the highest median earnings 

($58,930), and women 85 and 

older had the lowest median earnings ($31,890).

In each age group, men had 

higher median earnings than 

women. 

According to the 2016 ACS, men 

who worked full-time, year-round 

had higher median earnings than 

women who worked full-time, 

year-round in each age group. 

Men aged 16 and older earned 

a median of $50,590 whereas 

median earnings for women of 

the same age were $40,630. The 

difference was greater among the 

oldest population. For the 85 and 

older age group, men had median 

earnings of $50,120, and women 

had median earnings of $31,890. 

The median earnings for 

those 65 and older with a 

bachelor’s degree or higher 

was over two and half times 

the amount earned by those 

with less than a high school 

degree in the same age 

group ($76,060 compared 

with $28,520).

Figure 14.

Median Earnings in the Past 12 Months by Age and Sex

(For employed, full-time, year-round workers. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, 

sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

$50,590

$40,630

$56,850

$41,200

$58,930

$41,720

$47,250

$34,220

$50,120

$31,890

11.2

6.2

3.7

1.5

14.2

21.8

21.9

29.8

All workers,

16 and older

65 and older

65 to 74

75 to 84

85 and older

Male Female

18 U.S. Census Bureau
Earnings went from the most 

common form of income for the 

population under the age of 

65 to the least common for the 

population 65 and older. 

While 91 percent of households 

with a householder 15 to 64 years 

old received earnings, only 37 percent of households with a householder 65 or older did so (Figure 

15). Of the older age groups, 

householders aged 65 to 74 were 

most likely to have earnings (49 

percent). The percentage with 

earnings was lower for householders aged 75 to 84 (25 percent) 

and householders 85 and older (13 

percent). 

Social Security was the most 

common form of income for those 

aged 65 and older. 

While about half of households with 

a householder 65 or older received 

retirement income, around 90 percent of these households received 

social security income. The percentage receiving social security was 

high for all age groups in the older 

population—87 percent for the 65 

to 74 age group and 94 percent for 

both the 75 to 84 and 85 and older 

age groups. 

Figure 15.

Household Income Received in the Past 12 Months 

by Age and Selected Source 

(Percent of occupied housing units classified by age of householder. Data 

based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling 

error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

77.6

31.1

91.2

37.2

48.8

89.9

47.5

48.9

24.8

51.4

93.9

13.3

49.1

93.7

87.0

8.6

11.3

18.7

Earnings1 Retirement2 Social Security3

Total population,

occupied housing

units

15 to 64

65 and older

65 to 74

75 to 84

85 and older

1 Earnings are defined as the sum of wage or salary income and net income from 

self-employment. Earnings represent the amount of income received regularly before 

deductions for personal income taxes, social security, bond purchases, union dues, 

Medicare deductions, etc. 

2 Retirement income includes (a) retirement pensions and survivor benefits from a 

former employer; labor union; federal, state, or local government; and the U.S. military; 

(b) income from workers' compensation; disability income from companies or unions; 

federal, state, or local government; and the U.S. military; (c) periodic receipts from 

annuities and insurance; and (d) regular income from IRA and KEOGH plans. This 

category does not include social security income.

3 Social security income includes social security pensions and survivor benefits, 

permanent disability insurance payments made by the Social Security Administration 

prior to deductions for medical insurance, and railroad retirement insurance checks from 

the U.S. government. Medicare reimbursements are not included. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Older men living in family households were more 

likely to have higher earnings ($59,360) than men 

65 and older living alone 

($50,920), but older women 

living alone had higher earnings ($42,200) compared 

with their counterparts 

living in family households 

($40,810). 

U.S. Census Bureau 19
Poverty Rate

The percentage of people 

in poverty was lower for the 

population aged 65 and older than 

for the total population.

The percentage of the total population in poverty was almost 13 

percent for males and 15 percent 

for females (Figure 16). The poverty rate was significantly lower for 

males (7 percent) and females (11 

percent) in the older population.

A higher percentage of women 

than men were in poverty. 

Among the older population, 

the poverty rate for women rose 

with age, reaching 13 percent for 

those aged 85 and older—the 

highest poverty rate for the older 

population. The poverty rate also 

increased for men, from around 7 

percent for those aged 65 to 74 

to over 8 percent for those 85 and 

older. 

Unlike other race and ethnic 

groups, older Asians were 

more likely to be in poverty 

(13 percent) than Asians 

in the total population (12 

percent). The poverty rate 

for Asians 85 and older was 

even higher at 18 percent.

Figure 16.

Poverty Rate in the Past 12 Months by Age and Sex

(Percent of specified age group in poverty. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, 

sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Note: Poverty status is determined for individuals in housing units and in some noninstitutional group quarters. The poverty universe 

excludes children under the age of 15 who are not related to the householder, people living in institutional group quarters (e.g., nursing 

homes or correctional facilities), and people living in college dormitories or military barracks. For more information on types of group 

quarters please see Appendix B at <www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/doc/sf1.pdf>, accessed March 6, 2018. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

15.2

7.4

10.7

7.3

9.6

Total population 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older

12.8

11.6

8.2

13.4

7.6

Male Female

20 U.S. Census Bureau
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

This report presented a statistical 

portrait of the population aged 65 

and older in the United States by 

comparing selected demographic, 

social, housing, and economic 

characteristics among those 

aged 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 

and older based on the 2016 ACS 

1-year data. The following were 

the significant highlights:

• Those aged 65 to 74 were the 

largest among the three age 

groups, numbering 28.7 million or 58 percent of the older 

population. 

• There were more females than 

males, with sex ratios ranging 

from 89 for those aged 65 to 74 

to 53 for the population 85 and 

older. 

• The older population was 

largely White, especially so at 

older ages, with 81 percent of 

the population 85 and older 

White, compared with 61 percent White for the overall 

U.S. population.

• Although most of the older 

population had been married 

at some point in their lives, a 

majority of older females (72 

percent) were widowed by the 

age of 85 and older, while more 

than half of their male counterparts were still married.

• The likelihood of living in a family household diminished with 

age from 73 percent among 

people aged 65 to 74 to 48 

percent for those 85 and older; 

conversely, people living alone 

almost doubled from 22 percent for the former age group 

to 39 percent for the latter.

• A minority of older grandparents (27 percent for people 

aged 65 to 74 and 11 percent for 

people 85 and older) provided 

care for their coresident grandchildren, with a higher proportion reported among males 

compared with females.

• About 9 out of 10 older Whites 

and Blacks were born in the 

United States compared with 

about 4 out of 10 and 1 out of 

10 older Hispanics and Asians, 

respectively, a reflection of the 

groups’ migration experiences.

• Most of the native-born older 

population (95 percent) spoke 

only English at home compared 

with a minority of foreign-born 

older adults (22 percent). 

• For those who spoke a language other than English at 

home, Spanish was popular 

among older foreign-born individuals (40 percent); however, 

more than 25 percent each also 

spoke Asian or Pacific Island 

languages and other IndoEuropean languages—another 

indicator of recent migration 

flows, especially from Asia.

• Almost twice as many males 

(24 percent) and females (25 

percent) 85 and older did not 

complete high school compared with males (13 percent) 

and females (12 percent) 25 and 

older. 

• Nearly twice as many males 

(28 percent) 85 and older had 

a bachelor’s degree or higher 

than females (15 percent) in the 

same age group; more females 

(32 percent) than males (31 

percent) 25 and older had a 

bachelor’s degree or higher.

• The proportion of the older 

population who had a computer at home ranged from 58 

percent among individuals 85 

and older to 87 percent among 

those 65 to 74 years old, with 

a similar pattern for Internet 

access: 55 percent for the 

former and 83 percent for the 

latter.

• The homeownership rate (the 

percentage of all occupied 

housing units that are owneroccupied) was highest among 

people aged 65 to 74 (79 percent); it was also higher for the 

other older age groups compared with the rate for all ages 

(63 percent).

• The proportion of the older 

population with some disability 

increased with age, with the 

highest percentage having serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs among people 85 and 

older (48 percent).

• Labor force participation 

decreased with age, but more 

males than females remained in 

the labor force. 

• Older men (43 percent) had a 

greater share of employment in 

management, business, science, 

and arts occupations, consistent with their educational 

attainment, than older women 

(38 percent). 

• Older men ($58,930) and 

women ($41,720) aged 65 to 74 

had higher median earnings in 

the past 12 months compared 

with male ($50,590) and female 

($40,630) workers 16 and older 

and their counterparts among 

the other age groups.

U.S. Census Bureau 21
• The most common type of 

household income received in 

the past 12 months among the 

population 65 and older was 

social security (90 percent), 

received most by those 85 and 

older (94 percent). 

• Women 85 and older had the 

highest poverty rate (13 percent) among the older population, higher than their male 

counterparts (8 percent), and 

rivaling men (13 percent) and 

women (15 percent) in the general population.

The ACS is the only source of 

small-area estimates on social and 

demographic characteristics for 

the nation. Information from this 

report will provide communities, 

including retailers, homebuilders, 

and town and city planners, the 

current information they need for 

planning investments and services 

for the older population. 

Source and Accuracy

The data presented in this report 

are based on the ACS sample 

interviewed from January 1, 2016, 

through December 31, 2016. The 

estimates based on this sample 

describe the actual average values 

of person, household, and housing 

unit characteristics over this 

period of collection. Sampling 

error is the uncertainty between 

an estimate based on a sample 

and the corresponding value that 

would be obtained if the estimate 

were based on the entire population (as from a census). Measures 

of sampling error are provided in 

the form of margins of error for all 

estimates included in this report. 

All comparative statements in this 

report have undergone statistical 

testing and comparisons are 

significant at the 90 percent 

confidence level. In addition to 

sampling error, nonsampling error 

may be introduced during any of 

the operations used to collect and 

process survey data such as 

editing, reviewing, or keying data 

from questionnaires. For more 

information on sampling and 

estimation methods, confidentiality protection, and sampling and 

nonsampling errors, please see 

the 2016 ACS Accuracy of the 

Data document located at 

<www.census.gov/programs

-surveys/acs/technical

-documentation/code-lists.html>.

What Is the American Community 

Survey?

The American Community 

Survey (ACS) is a nationwide 

survey designed to provide 

communities with reliable and 

timely demographic, social, 

economic, and housing data for 

the nation, states, congressional 

districts, counties, places, and 

other localities every year. It has 

an annual sample size of about 

3.5 million addresses across the 

United States and Puerto Rico 

and includes both housing units 

and group quarters (e.g., nursing facilities and prisons). The 

ACS is conducted in every county 

throughout the nation, and every 

municipio in Puerto Rico, where it 

is called the Puerto Rico 

Community Survey. Beginning 

in 2006, ACS data have been 

released annually for geographic 

areas with populations of 65,000 

and greater. For information on 

the ACS sample design and other 

topics, visit <www.census.gov 

/acs>.

CONTACT

For questions related to the 

contents of this report and the 

accompanying tables, contact the 

authors: 

Andrew W. Roberts 

<Andrew.W.Roberts@census.gov> 

301-763-1885 

Population Division 

U.S. Census Bureau 

Stella U. Ogunwole 

<Stella.U.Ogunwole@census.gov> 

301-763-6141 

Population Division 

U.S. Census Bureau 

Laura Blakeslee 

<Laura.Blakeslee@census.gov> 

301-763-4429 

Population Division 

U.S. Census Bureau 

Megan A. Rabe 

<Megan.Ann.Rabe@census.gov> 

301-763-2949 

Population Division 

U.S. Census Bureau

SUGGESTED CITATION

Roberts, Andrew W., Stella U. 

Ogunwole, Laura Blakeslee, and 

Megan A. Rabe, “The Population 65 

Years and Older in the United States: 

2016,” American Community Survey 

Reports, ACS-38, U.S. Census 

Bureau, Washington, DC, 2018.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In the Population Division, general 

direction and support was provided 

by Karen Battle, Division Chief, and 

Roberto Ramirez, Assistant Division 

Chief, Special Population Statistics. 

The report was reviewed by Sirius 

Fuller, Kimberly Orozco, Marc Perry, 

Merarys Rios, Anne Ross, Hyon 

Shin, and Amy Smith. Further assistance was provided by Kathleen 

Burch and Brian Kincel.

22 U.S. Census Bureau
Appendix Table 1.

Margin of Error for the Population 65 Years and Older by Age and Sex: 20161

(Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/acs)

Age Total population Male Female

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

    65 years and older . . . . . 22,000 Z 12,500 Z 14,000 Z

65 to 74 years ................. 19,500 Z 12,500 Z 12,000 Z

75 to 84 years ................. 39,000 0.1 20,000 0.1 31,000 0.1

85 years and older ............. 36,000 0.1 16,500 0.1 29,000 0.1

Z Rounds to zero. 

1 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the 

margin of error in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin 

of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Appendix Table 2. 

Margin of Error for the Population 65 Years and Older by Age and Race and Hispanic Origin: 20161

(Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/acs)

Total Age

Race or Hispanic Origin population Under 65 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older

NumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercent

    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F Z 22,000 Z 22,000 Z 19,500 Z 39,000 Z 36,000 Z

Hispanic or Latino ............. 9,800 Z 14,500 Z 11,000 Z 11,000 Z 12,000 0.1 10,000 0.2

Not Hispanic or Latino ......... 9,800 Z 20,000 Z 16,500 Z 16,000 Z 37,000 Z 34,500 Z

 White alone .................

 Black or African American 

21,000 Z 20,000 Z 4,700 Z 4,800 0.1 32,000 0.1 31,500 0.2

  alone .....................

 American Indian and Alaska 

59,500 Z 12,000 Z 12,000 Z 12,000 Z 11,500 0.1 8,800 0.1

  Native alone .............. 18,500 Z 17,500 0.3 6,000 Z 5,300 Z 2,900 Z 1,700 Z

 Asian alone .................

 Native Hawaiian and Other 

41,500 Z 41,000 0.1 9,900 Z 8,000 Z 7,900 0.1 6,700 0.1

  Pacific Islander alone ....... 10,000 Z 9,600 0.6 3,100 Z 2,300 Z 1,700 Z 1,200 Z

 Some Other Race alone ...... 24,000 Z 24,000 0.6 4,000 Z 3,200 Z 2,000 Z 1,200 Z

 Two or More Races .......... 68,500 Z 66,500 0.2 12,500 Z 10,000 Z 5,700 Z 3,300 0.1

F Fewer than 15.

Z Rounds to zero. 

1 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the 

margin of error in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin 

of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

Appendix Table 3.

Demographic Characteristics by Age: 2016 

(Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/acs)

Characteristic Total 

population

Age

Under 65 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older

Sex Ratio

Institutionalized ........... 223.6 622.9 54.2 116.2 58.8 32.0

Noninstitutionalized ....... 96.0 99.1 80.1 87.5 77.0 55.6

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau 23
Appendix Table 4.

Social Characteristics by Age: 2016

(In percent. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs) 

Characteristic Total 

population

Age

Under 65 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older

Language Spoken at Home and English 

Speaking Ability

Year of entry before 1990

 Spoke only English at home ..........

 Spoke a language other than English 

  and—

22.7 21.1 25.6 24.4 26.3 29.0

  Spoke English very well ............ 34.7 38.9 26.8 29.1 24.9 21.3

  Spoke English less than very well ....

Year of entry between 1990 and 1999

42.6 40.0 47.6 46.5 48.7 49.7

 Spoke only English at home ..........

 Spoke a language other than English 

  and—

13.7 13.9 12.2 13.1 11.2 9.2

  Spoke English very well ............ 36.3 38.5 13.0 15.9 8.9 7.6

  Spoke English less than very well ....

Year of entry between 2000 and 2009

50.0 47.6 74.8 71.0 79.9 83.1

 Spoke only English at home ..........

 Spoke a language other than English 

  and—

12.2 12.2 11.4 12.0 9.8 13.9

  Spoke English very well ............ 36.3 37.6 11.4 12.5 9.4 10.0

  Spoke English less than very well ....

Year of entry 2010 or later

51.5 50.2 77.2 75.6 80.8 76.0

 Spoke only English at home ..........

 Spoke a language other than English 

  and—

12.3 12.1 14.6 14.9 14.5 12.6

  Spoke English very well ............ 31.9 33.2 10.1 10.8 8.9 7.7

  Spoke English less than very well ....

High School Graduate or More

55.8 54.7 75.3 74.3 76.6 79.7

    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87.5 88.6 83.5 87.0 80.2 75.3

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 67.1 69.3 51.5 56.5 45.4 39.2

Not Hispanic or Latino ................. 91.0 92.5 86.3 89.8 83.1 77.9

 White alone ......................... 92.5 93.8 88.7 92.0 85.9 80.7

 Black or African American alone ...... 85.4 87.9 73.6 79.7 65.9 57.0

 Asian alone ......................... 86.6 89.4 72.9 76.5 69.7 60.8

 All other races ......................

Internet Access 

88.0 89.5 78.9 83.7 72.3 64.5

Living alone .......................... 70.2 79.6 55.0 66.1 50.5 34.1

Living in a family household ............ 91.2 92.2 84.1 88.3 78.4 71.8

Living in a nonfamily household .........

Homeownership Rate 

89.7 90.8 77.3 80.9 71.2 64.8

    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.1 58.2 77.9 79.4 78.9 68.7

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 45.5 42.8 63.6 63.3 64.4 63.0

Not Hispanic or Latino ................. 65.7 60.9 78.9 80.6 79.9 69.0

 White alone ......................... 71.2 67.0 81.4 83.7 82.3 69.8

 Black or African American alone ...... 41.0 35.8 62.4 60.9 65.1 64.9

 Asian alone ......................... 58.2 56.2 69.0 74.3 63.8 52.6

 All other races ......................

Disability

49.5 45.6 70.1 69.4 72.1 68.7

At least one disability .................. 12.8 8.8 35.2 25.3 41.5 68.9

No disability .......................... 87.2 91.2 64.8 74.7 58.5 31.1

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

24 U.S. Census Bureau
Appendix Table 5. 

Economic Characteristics by Age: 2016 

(In percent. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)

Characteristic Total 

population

Age

Under 65

65 and 

older 65 to 74 75 to 84

85 and 

older

Labor Force Participation Rate 

    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hispanic or Latino ...................................

Not Hispanic or Latino ...............................

 White alone .......................................

 Black or African American alone ....................

 Asian alone .......................................

 All other races ....................................

Percent Employed in Occupation

Native-born citizen

 Management, business, science, and arts. . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Sales and office ...................................

 Service ...........................................

 Production, transportation, and material moving ......

 Natural resource, construction, and maintenance .....

Naturalized citizen

 Management, business, science, and arts. . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Sales and office ...................................

 Service ...........................................

 Production, transportation, and material moving ......

 Natural resource, construction, and maintenance .....

Noncitizen

 Management, business, science, and arts. . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Sales and office ...................................

 Service ...........................................

 Production, transportation, and material moving ......

 Natural resource, construction, and maintenance .....

Median Earnings (full-time, year-round workers)

Male

 Living with others in a household ...................

 Living alone in a household .........................

 Living in group quarters ............................

Female

 Living with others in a household ...................

 Living alone in a household .........................

 Living in group quarters ............................

Less than high school graduate .......................

High school graduate ................................

Some college or associate’s degree ...................

Bachelor’s degree or higher ..........................

Poverty Rate 

    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hispanic or Latino ...................................

Not Hispanic or Latino ...............................

 White alone .......................................

 Black or African American alone ....................

 Asian alone .......................................

 All other races ....................................

63.1

67.3

62.4

62.2

62.2

64.5

63.5

38.8

24.7

16.8

11.6

8.0

39.4

19.9

20.2

13.3

7.1

24.0

13.3

27.8

16.5

18.5

$50,660 

$51,280 

$21,600 

$40,130 

$46,620 

$19,380 

$27,280 

$34,940 

$41,140 

$67,560 

14.0

21.0

12.5

10.0

23.8

11.7

19.2

73.9

72.7

74.2

75.5

69.8

72.5

68.7

38.6

24.6

17.0

11.6

8.2

39.5

19.9

20.0

13.3

7.2

24.1

13.3

27.7

16.4

18.6

$50,510 

$51,300 

$21,560 

$40,120 

$46,910 

$19,250 

$27,260 

$34,810 

$41,050 

$67,300 

14.9

21.2

13.4

10.7

24.8

11.6

19.6

17.6

16.6

17.7

17.8

16.5

18.1

18.1

41.9

27.9

13.9

10.9

5.5

38.9

19.8

22.8

13.4

5.1

18.8

15.3

36.0

18.0

11.9

$59,360 

$50,920 

$29,020 

$40,810 

$42,200 

$21,650 

$28,520 

$36,470 

$46,420 

$76,060 

9.2

18.1

8.5 

7.2

16.3

12.9

14.7

25.5

24.0

25.7

26.0

22.9

26.1

24.4

42.6

27.6

13.4

10.8

5.6

38.5

19.5

23.1

13.8

5.2

18.2

14.7

36.5

18.5

12.2

$60,470 

$51,460 

$29,880 

$41,180 

$44,220 

$21,830 

$29,020 

$36,910 

$46,960 

$76,580 

8.5

17.2

7.7

6.4

15.6

11.0

13.7

8.3

6.3

8.5

8.7

7.3

6.9

7.9

37.9

29.1

16.5

11.5

5.1

42.0

22.0

20.6

11.3

4.2

24.2

18.3

32.1

14.7

10.7

$49,660 

$42,070 

$27,020 

$35,370 

$32,610 

$21,020 

$27,020 

$31,750 

$39,570 

$67,020 

9.9

19.3

9.0

7.8

16.9

15.0

15.6

2.2

2.1

2.3

2.3

1.9

1.9

3.3

38.9

31.6

15.6

9.7

4.3

39.5

21.9

23.6

6.9

8.2

19.1

30.6

34.6

9.5

6.3

$44,130 

$52,310 

$35,420 

$31,390 

$32,360 

$7,000 

$26,650 

$32,040 

$40,970 

$66,340 

11.5

20.5

10.9

9.7

18.7

18.1

18.7

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

25 U.S. Census Bureau