Demographics

The aging population is becoming increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. In 2018, minority populations accounted for 23% of all older adults. Approximately 9% were non-Hispanic African Americans, 5% Asian, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 0.8% of adults 65 and older identified as being of two or more races. Individuals of Hispanic origin constituted 8% of older Americans.¹⁶ The percentage of diverse Americans is projected to rise to 34% by 2040. ¹⁷ 

Life expectancy has risen from 68 years in the mid-20th century to the current average of about 81 years for women and 76 years for men.¹⁸ In 2018, there were 29.1 million older women in the United States, compared with 23.3 million older men.¹⁹

In 2018, almost one in 10 older adults lived below the poverty level.²⁰ While this represents a decline from prior years, significant economic disparities exist within underserved diverse populations.

In 2017, 19% of African American and 17% of Latino elders lived in poverty, more than double the 7% rate among older non-Hispanic whites.²¹

Overall, approximately 28% of older people live alone.22 More than 25% of those who live by themselves are older women aged 65-74. For women between the ages of 75-84, the proportionate share jumps to 39%, and for women over 85, 55% live by themselves. 23

It is expected that by 2030, there will be a 50% increase in the number of elders over the age of 65 who require nursing home care.²⁴

The number of older Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease will likely more than double from 5.8 million to 13.8 million in 2050.²⁵