In 2023, about 17.7 percent of the American population was 65 years old or over; an increase from the last few years and a figure which is expected to reach 22.8 percent by 2050. This is a significant increase from 1950, when only eight percent of the population was 65 or over. A rapidly aging population In recent years, the aging population of the United States has come into focus as a cause for concern, as the nature of work and retirement is expected to change to keep up. If a population is expected to live longer than the generations before, the economy will have to change as well to fulfill the needs of the citizens. In addition, the birth rate in the U.S. has been falling over the last 20 years, meaning that there are not as many young people to replace the individuals leaving the workforce. The future population It’s not only the American population that is aging -- the global population is, too. By 2025, the median age of the global workforce is expected to be 39.6 years, up from 33.8 years in 1990. Additionally, it is projected that there will be over three million people worldwide aged 100 years and over by 2050.

In 2023, there were ********* adults aged 65 and older living in California, the most out of all U.S. states, followed by Florida with over *** million adults aged 65 and older. Both California and Florida have some of the highest resident population figures in the United States.

In 2021, about **** million people aged 65 years or older were living in California -- the most out of any state. In that same year, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania rounded out the top five states with the most people aged 65 and over living there.

This layer shows demographic context for senior well-being work. This is shown by tract, county, and state boundaries. This service is updated annually to contain the most currently released American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year data, and contains estimates and margins of error. There are also additional calculated attributes related to this topic, which can be mapped or used within analysis. The layer is symbolized to show the percentage of population aged 65 and up (senior population). To see the full list of attributes available in this service, go to the "Data" tab, and choose "Fields" at the top right. Current Vintage: 2018-2022ACS Table(s): B01001, B09021, B17020, B18101, B23027, B25072, B25093, B27010, B28005, C27001B-IData downloaded from: Census Bureau's API for American Community Survey Date of API call: December 7, 2023The United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS):About the SurveyGeography & ACSTechnical DocumentationNews & UpdatesThis ready-to-use layer can be used within ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, its configurable apps, dashboards, Story Maps, custom apps, and mobile apps. Data can also be exported for offline workflows. For more information about ACS layers, visit the FAQ. Please cite the Census and ACS when using this data.Data Note from the Census:Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see Accuracy of the Data). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables.Data Processing Notes:This layer is updated automatically when the most current vintage of ACS data is released each year, usually in December. The layer always contains the latest available ACS 5-year estimates. It is updated annually within days of the Census Bureau's release schedule. Click here to learn more about ACS data releases.Boundaries come from the US Census TIGER geodatabases, specifically, the National Sub-State Geography Database (named tlgdb_(year)_a_us_substategeo.gdb). Boundaries are updated at the same time as the data updates (annually), and the boundary vintage appropriately matches the data vintage as specified by the Census. These are Census boundaries with water and/or coastlines erased for cartographic and mapping purposes. For census tracts, the water cutouts are derived from a subset of the 2020 Areal Hydrography boundaries offered by TIGER. Water bodies and rivers which are 50 million square meters or larger (mid to large sized water bodies) are erased from the tract level boundaries, as well as additional important features. For state and county boundaries, the water and coastlines are derived from the coastlines of the 2022 500k TIGER Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles. These are erased to more accurately portray the coastlines and Great Lakes. The original AWATER and ALAND fields are still available as attributes within the data table (units are square meters). The States layer contains 52 records - all US states, Washington D.C., and Puerto RicoCensus tracts with no population that occur in areas of water, such as oceans, are removed from this data service (Census Tracts beginning with 99).Percentages and derived counts, and associated margins of error, are calculated values (that can be identified by the "_calc_" stub in the field name), and abide by the specifications defined by the American Community Survey.Field alias names were created based on the Table Shells file available from the American Community Survey Summary File Documentation page.Negative values (e.g., -4444...) have been set to null, with the exception of -5555... which has been set to zero. These negative values exist in the raw API data to indicate the following situations:The margin of error column indicates that either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute a standard error and thus the margin of error. A statistical test is not appropriate.Either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute an estimate, or a ratio of medians cannot be calculated because one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or upper interval of an open-ended distribution.The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution, or in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. A statistical test is not appropriate.The estimate is controlled. A statistical test for sampling variability is not appropriate.The data for this geographic area cannot be displayed because the number of sample cases is too small.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the United States population by age cohorts (Children: Under 18 years; Working population: 18-64 years; Senior population: 65 years or more). It lists the population in each age cohort group along with its percentage relative to the total population of United States. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution across children, working population and senior population for dependency ratio, housing requirements, ageing, migration patterns etc.

Key observations

The largest age group was 18 to 64 years with a poulation of 202.77 million (61% of the total population). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Age cohorts:

• Under 18 years
• 18 to 64 years
• 65 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age cohort for the United States population analysis. Total expected values are 3 groups ( Children, Working Population and Senior Population).
• Population: The population for the age cohort in United States is shown in the following column.
• Percent of Total Population: The population as a percent of total population of the United States is shown in the following column.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for United States Population by Age. You can refer the same here

United States US: Population: Female: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 27,842,737.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 27,037,960.000 Person for 2016. United States US: Population: Female: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 18,235,236.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27,842,737.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 9,137,507.000 Person in 1960. United States US: Population: Female: Aged 65 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population 65 years of age or older. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

United States US: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 16.925 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 16.550 % for 2016. United States US: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 14.035 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.925 % in 2017 and a record low of 10.023 % in 1960. United States US: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population 65 years of age or older as a percentage of the total female population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) in United States was reported at 53.91 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2022, the state with the highest median age of its population was Maine at 45.1 years. Utah had the lowest median age at 32.1 years. View the distribution of the U.S. population by ethnicity here.

Additional information on the aging population in the United States

High birth rates during the so-called baby boom years that followed World War II followed by lower fertility and morality rates have left the United States with a serious challenge in the 21st Century. However, the issue of an aging population is certainly not an issue unique to the United States. The age distribution of the global population shows that other parts of the world face a similar issue.

Within the United States, the uneven distribution of populations aged 65 years and over among states offers both major challenges and potential solutions. On the one hand, federal action over the issue may be contentious as other states are set to harbor the costs of elderly care in states such as California and Florida. That said, domestic migration from comparably younger states may help to fill gaps in the workforce left by retirees in others.

Nonetheless, aging population issues are set to gain further prominence in the political and economic decisions made by policymakers regardless of the eventual distribution of America’s elderly. Analysis of the financial concerns of Americans by age shows many young people still decades from retirement hold strong concern over their eventual financial position.

Gerontology Aging Market Outlook

The global gerontology aging market size was valued at USD 780 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1,350 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. This robust growth is primarily driven by the increasing aging population worldwide, advancements in medical technology, and rising awareness about the importance of elderly care.

One of the primary growth factors for the gerontology aging market is the rapidly increasing elderly population across the globe. With advancements in healthcare, life expectancy has significantly increased, resulting in a higher percentage of the population being aged 65 and above. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050, the global population aged 60 years and older will total 2 billion, up from 900 million in 2015. This demographic shift necessitates enhanced geriatric care services and facilities, thus fueling market growth.

Another significant driver is the rising prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia are more common in older adults. Managing these chronic illnesses requires specialized care and services, which contributes to the expansion of the gerontology aging market. Additionally, the increasing awareness and focus on preventive healthcare measures among the elderly population is pushing the demand for wellness and prevention services.

Technological advancements in healthcare are also playing a crucial role in the growth of the gerontology aging market. Innovations such as telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and electronic health records are enhancing the quality of care for the elderly. These technologies enable continuous monitoring of health conditions, timely medical interventions, and better management of chronic diseases, thereby improving the overall healthcare experience for the aging population.

Regionally, North America holds a significant share of the gerontology aging market due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, high healthcare expenditure, and the presence of major market players. Europe follows closely, driven by a large elderly population and government initiatives supporting elderly care. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, attributed to the increasing aging population, improving healthcare infrastructure, and rising healthcare awareness.

Service Type Analysis

The gerontology aging market is segmented by service type into home care, adult day care, and institutional care. Each of these services addresses different needs and preferences of the elderly population, contributing uniquely to the market's growth.

Home care services are gaining popularity due to the preference for aging in place among the elderly. These services include personal care, medical care, and assistance with daily activities, allowing older adults to stay in their homes while receiving necessary support. The convenience and comfort of home care, coupled with technological advancements such as telehealth and home monitoring systems, are driving the growth of this segment.

Adult day care services provide a safe and supportive environment for elderly individuals during the day, offering social activities, meals, and healthcare services. These facilities are particularly beneficial for older adults who require supervision and assistance but do not need full-time residential care. The increasing number of dual-income families and the need for respite care for caregivers are significant factors contributing to the growth of the adult day care segment.

Institutional care, which includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities, remains a crucial component of the gerontology aging market. These institutions provide comprehensive care for elderly individuals who require constant medical attention and support. The demand for institutional care is driven by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the need for specialized care that cannot be provided at home. Additionally, the development of advanced facilities with specialized units for conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is boosting this segment.

Report Scope

Preparation of this data collection was funded by grant

90-A-1279 from the United States Department of Health and Human

Services, Administration on Aging. Estimates of the population of persons 60 years old and older were received from the Census Bureau in printed form and were made machine-readable by staff at ICPSR. Other variables contained in this dataset were merged from existing machine-readable census files. The data concerning racial composition of counties were taken from the CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 1980 [UNITED STATES]: P.L. 94-171 POPULATION COUNTS (ICPSR 7854). The figures concerning per capita income were taken from the Bureau of the Census, GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, 1978 POPULATION ESTIMATES (ICPSR 7840). Variables include Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) state and county codes, 1978 per capita income of county, and total population of county broken down by sex, race, and age (in four-year increments with a category for persons 75 years old and older).

Working Age Population: Aged 15-64: All for the United States was 211867000.00000 Persons in March of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Working Age Population: Aged 15-64: All for the United States reached a record high of 211867000.00000 in March of 2025 and a record low of 101390000.00000 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Working Age Population: Aged 15-64: All for the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on May of 2025.

United States US: Population: Total: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 61,603,617.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 61,538,430.000 Person for 2016. United States US: Population: Total: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 57,943,651.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 62,401,154.000 Person in 2010 and a record low of 51,201,638.000 Person in 1983. United States US: Population: Total: Aged 0-14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population between the ages 0 to 14. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

This is a special extract of the 2000 Census 5-Percent Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) created by the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA). The file combines the individual 5-percent state files for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico as released by the United States Census Bureau into a single analysis file. The file contains information on all households that contain at least one person aged 65 years or more in residence as of the 2000 Census enumeration. The file contains individual records on all persons aged 65 and older living in households as well as individual records for all other members residing in each of these households. Consequently, this file can be used to examine both the characteristics of the elderly in the United States as well as the characteristics of individuals who co-reside with persons aged 65 and older as of the year 2000. All household variables from the household-specific "Household record" of the 2000 PUMS are appended to the end of each individual level record. This file is not a special product of the Census Bureau and is not a resample of the PUMS data specific to the elderly population. While it is comparable to the 1990 release CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 1990: [UNITED STATES]: PUBLIC USE MICRODATA SAMPLE: 3-PERCENT ELDERLY SAMPLE (ICPSR 6219), the sampling procedures and weights for the 2000 file reflect the methodology that applies to the 5-percent PUMS release CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 2000 [UNITED STATES]: PUBLIC USE MICRODATA SAMPLE: 5-PERCENT SAMPLE (ICPSR 13568). Person variables cover age, sex, relationship to householder, educational attainment, school enrollment, race, Hispanic origin, ancestry, language spoken at home, citizenship, place of birth, year of immigration, place of residence in 1985, marital status, number of children ever born, military service, mobility and personal care limitation, work limitation status, employment status, occupation, industry, class of worker, hours worked last week, weeks worked in 1989, usual hours worked per week, temporary absence from work, place of work, time of departure for work, travel time to work, means of transportation to work, total earnings, total income, wages and salary income, farm and nonfarm self-employment income, Social Security income, public assistance income, retirement income, and rent, dividends, and net rental income. Housing variables include area type, state and area of residence, farm/nonfarm status, type of structure, year structure was built, vacancy and boarded-up status, number of rooms and bedrooms, presence or absence of a telephone, presence or absence of complete kitchen and plumbing facilities, type of sewage facilities, type of water source, type of heating fuel used, property value, tenure, year moved into house/apartment, type of household/family, type of group quarters, household language, number of persons in the household, number of persons and workers in the family, status of mortgage, second mortgage, and home equity loan, number of vehicles available, household income, sales of agricultural products, payments for rent, mortgage and property tax, condominium fees, mobile home costs, and cost of electricity, water, heating fuel, and flood/fire/hazard insurance.

These data from the 1990 Census comprise a sample of households with at least one person 60 years and older, plus a sample of persons 60 years and older in group quarters. The data are grouped into housing variables and person variables. Housing variables include area type, state and area of residence, farm/nonfarm status, type of structure, year structure was built, vacancy and boarded-up status, number of rooms and bedrooms, presence or absence of a telephone, presence or absence of complete kitchen and plumbing facilities, type of sewage facilities, type of water source, type of heating fuel used, property value, tenure, year moved into house/apartment, type of household/family, type of group quarters, household language, number of persons in the household, number of persons and workers in the family, status of mortgage, second mortgage, and home equity loan, number of vehicles available, household income, sales of agricultural products, payments for rent, mortgage and property tax, condominium fees, mobile home costs, and cost of electricity, water, heating fuel, and flood/fire/hazard insurance. Person variables cover age, sex, relationship to householder, educational attainment, school enrollment, race, Hispanic origin, ancestry, language spoken at home, citizenship, place of birth, year of immigration, place of residence in 1985, marital status, number of children ever born, military service, mobility and personal care limitation, work limitation status, employment status, occupation, industry, class of worker, hours worked last week, weeks worked in 1989, usual hours worked per week, temporary absence from work, place of work, time of departure for work, travel time to work, means of transportation to work, total earnings, total income, wages and salary income, farm and nonfarm self-employment income, Social Security income, public assistance income, retirement income, and rent, dividends, and net rental income. (Source: downloaded from ICPSR 7/13/10)

Please Note: This dataset is part of the historical CISER Data Archive Collection and is also available at ICPSR at https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR06219.v1. We highly recommend using the ICPSR version as they may make this dataset available in multiple data formats in the future.

United States US: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data was reported at 52.268 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 51.652 % for 2016. United States US: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data is updated yearly, averaging 52.247 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 66.700 % in 1962 and a record low of 49.442 % in 2009. United States US: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Age dependency ratio is the ratio of dependents--people younger than 15 or older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: this indicator implies the dependency burden that the working-age population bears in relation to children and the elderly. Many times single or widowed women who are the sole caregiver of a household have a high dependency ratio.

The senior home care service market is experiencing robust growth, driven by an aging global population and increasing preference for aging in place. The market, estimated at $250 billion in 2025, is projected to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated $450 billion by 2033. Several factors contribute to this expansion. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly necessitates ongoing medical and personal care, fueling demand for home-based services. Technological advancements, such as telehealth and remote patient monitoring, are enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of senior home care, further driving market growth. Furthermore, the increasing affordability and availability of in-home care services, coupled with supportive government policies in many regions, are positively influencing market expansion. The market is segmented by application (medical and non-medical) and type of care (short-term and long-term), with long-term care representing a significant portion of the market due to the increasing life expectancy and prevalence of age-related conditions requiring extensive care. Competition within the sector is intense, with established players like Home Instead and Comfort Keepers alongside newer entrants employing innovative technology and service models. However, challenges remain, including workforce shortages, regulatory complexities, and ensuring consistent service quality across diverse geographical areas. The geographical distribution of the market reveals significant regional variations. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, dominates the market due to a large aging population and well-developed healthcare infrastructure. Europe and Asia-Pacific also represent substantial markets, exhibiting significant growth potential due to rapid economic development and an increasing elderly population in these regions. However, variations in healthcare policies, economic conditions, and access to technology across different regions influence market dynamics. Future market growth will depend on successfully addressing workforce challenges, improving service quality through technological integration, and ensuring equitable access to affordable and high-quality senior home care services globally. The market's trajectory suggests a continued upward trend, underpinned by demographic shifts, technological progress, and evolving healthcare priorities.

For more than three decades UCSUR has documented the status of older adults in the County along multiple life domains. Every decade we issue a comprehensive report on aging in Allegheny County and this report represents our most recent effort. It documents important shifts in the demographic profile of the population in the last three decades, characterizes the current status of the elderly in multiple life domains, and looks ahead to the future of aging in the County. This report is unique in that we examine not only those aged 65 and older, but also the next generation old persons, the Baby Boomers. Collaborators on this project include the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, the United Way of Allegheny County, and the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh.

The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of aging in Allegheny County. To this end, we integrate survey data collected from a representative sample of older county residents with secondary data available from Federal, State, and County agencies to characterize older individuals on multiple dimensions, including demographic change and population projections, income, work and retirement, neighborhoods and housing, health, senior service use, transportation, volunteering, happiness and life satisfaction, among others. Since baby boomers represent the future of aging in the County we include data for those aged 55-64 as well as those aged 65 and older.

Support for Health Equity datasets and tools provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) through their Health Equity Initiative.

This map shows where seniors are that are living with income below the poverty level. Color shows the percent of seniors 60+ whose income is below federal poverty level and size shows the count of seniors whose income is below poverty level. Data is available in 5-year estimates at the state, county, and tract level for the entire US. For our purposes, we applied a definition query to display only counties within Appalachian Ohio on the map. The pop-up is configured to provide relevant details for each county in this region. If the definition query is removed, the map will display data for the entire US.Total population 60+ with poverty status determinedPercent of seniors below poverty levelPercent of seniors workingThe data in this map contains the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Living Atlas layer in this map updates annually when the Census releases their new figures. To learn more, visit this FAQ, or visit the ACS website. Current Vintage: 2018-2022ACS Table(s): B01001, B09021, B17020, B18101, B23027, B25072, B25093, B27010, B28005, C27001B-IData downloaded from: Census Bureau's API for American Community Survey Date of API call: December 7, 2023National Figures: data.census.gov

Graph and download economic data for Population Level - 55 Yrs. & over (LNU00024230) from Jan 1948 to May 2025 about 55 years +, civilian, household survey, population, and USA.