The population age 85 and older is currently the fastest growing segment of the older population. In 2000, the states with the highest proportions of older persons are Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and North Dakota. In 2000, there are an estimated 50,000 centenarians in the US, or a little more than one centenarian per 10,000 in the population. Centenarians are the fastest growing segment of our population. Most people age 65 and older live with family members, and a small percentage live in nursing homes.
Older women are more likely to live alone than are older men.
By the first part of the 21st century, there will be as many seniors as there are people under the age of 20. The size of the older population is projected to double over the next 30 years, growing to 70 million by 2030. The population age 85 and older could grow from about 4 million in 2000 to 19 million by 2050. Although the older populations will increase among all racial and ethnic groups, the Hispanic older population is projected to grow the fastest, from about 2 million in 2000 to over 13 million by 2050. About two-thirds of both men and women had finished high school.