When considering the oldest of the old, Nebraska ranks near the top in percentage of older population over age 60. Nebraska ranks sixth in the nation when considering percentage of its older population in the 75-plus age group. The state ranks fourth nationally when considering percentage of its older population who are 85-plus. The 85 and older age group grew to 7,212 between 1980 and 1990, an increase of 26.6 percent. While overall, 18.4 percent of the state's population is comprised of people 60 and older, some counties in Nebraska have much higher rates of older citizens.
Hooker County is in the north central region of the state.
Over half of the country's 65-plus population lives in just nine states. In 1995, there were 33.5 million Americans age 65 or older, representing 12.8 percent of the U.S. population. About one in every eight Americans is in the 65-plus category. Since the 1990 census, the number of older Americans has increased by 2.3 million, a 7 percent increase. During that same period, the under-65 population grew by 5 percent.