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 young age structure, population projections indicate

that Africa will remain relatively younger than the
Lower fertility and increased longevity have led to the
other regions—even while the older African popula-
rapid growth of the older population across the world
tion nearly quadruples from 40.6 million in 2015 to
and in the United States. In 2015, among the 7.3 billion
150.5 million in 2050. The population of Northern
people estimated worldwide, 617.1 million (9 percent)
America, which includes the United States, is also
were aged 65 and older. By 2030, the older popula-
continuing to age and, according to projections, will
tion will be about 1 billion (12 percent of the projected
retain its position as the second oldest region in the
total world population) and by 2050, 1.6 billion (17
world in 2050 with 21.4 percent of the total popula-
percent) of the total population of 9.4 billion will be
tion 65 and older. 2
65 and older. This rapid growth of the older popula-
tion contrasts with an almost flat youth population The U.S. older population grew rapidly for most of the
(under age 20) and moderate increase in the working- 20th century, from 3.1 million in 1900 to 35.0 million
age (aged 20 to 64) population projected over the in 2000. Except during the 1990s, when the relatively
same period.1 smaller Depression Era cohort of the 1930s reached
the age of 65, the growth of the population 65 and
The older population is also growing across world
older surpassed that of the total population and the
regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America
population under the age of 65. 3 The United States
and the Caribbean, Northern America, and Oceania,
will experience further expansion of the older popula-
although at varying levels. Europe is currently the
tion for many decades to come, fueled by the baby
oldest region, with 17.4 percent of the total population
boom cohort that began turning 65 years old in 2011.4
aged 65 and older in 2015; by 2050, the older popu-
lation will make up more than a quarter of Europe’s
total population. The older population in Asia and ² See footnote 1.
³ Jennifer M. Ortman, Victoria A. Velkoff, and Howard Hogan,
Latin America and the Caribbean will grow the fastest An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States, Current
of all regions, with Asia’s older population almost tri- Population Reports, P25-1140, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC,
2014.
pling in size from 341.4 million in 2015 to 975.3 million ⁴ The baby boom includes people born from mid-1946 to 1964.
in 2050. Because of high fertility rates leading to a 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
¹ Wan He, Daniel Goodkind, and Paul Kowal, U.S. Census Bureau, Perez, and William Bell, Who (Really) Are the First Baby Boomers?
International Population Reports, P95/16-1, An Aging World: 2015, Joint Statistical Meetings Proceedings, Social Statistics Section,
U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC, 2016. Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association, 2008, pp. 1009–16.
Growth of the U.S. older popula- care improvements have allowed million or 58 percent) were aged
tion has generated numerous many to stay more active and 65 to 74. The 75 to 84 age group
studies, programs, and policy ini- healthy. Many remain in their own share of the older population was
tiatives needed to advance knowl- households instead of retirement around 14.3 million or 29 percent—
edge of and plan investments or assisted care communities, more than double the number
for this population. This report even living as caregivers to grand- and proportion (6.3 million or 13
will present a statistical portrait children. The older population percent) for those 85 and older
of selected demographic, social, is an important segment of the (Table 1).
housing, and economic character- U.S. population, and increasingly
istics of the 65-and-older popula- within it exist distinct groups with There were more females
tion in the United States based on different lifestyles and needs. 5 To than males among the older
2016 American Community Survey this end, the report will focus on population.
(ACS) 1-year data. The informa- selected older age groups includ-
There were more older females
tion includes population size and ing people aged 65 to 74, 75 to
(27.5 million) than older males
age and sex composition, race 84, and 85 and older and drawing
(21.8 million), with the disparity
and Hispanic origin, marital status, comparisons among them.
in numbers between the sexes
living arrangements and caregiv-
increasing with age. Of the 28.7
ing for coresident grandchildren, DEMOGRAPHIC
million aged 65 to 74, 15.3 mil-
nativity and citizenship status, CHARACTERISTICS
lion were female while 13.4 million
English ability and language
Population Size, Age, and Sex were male. There were about 2
spoken, educational attainment, Composition million more females (8.1 million)
computer ownership and Internet
than males (6.2 million) among the
access, homeownership, disability, More than half of the older
75 to 84 age group. Nearly twice
labor force participation, occupa- population was between the ages
as many females (4.1 million) as
tion, median earnings, income of 65 and 74.
males (2.2 million) were 85 and
type, and poverty status.
The 2016 ACS estimated the num- older.
In addition to the older popula- ber of people in the United States
tion being a larger segment of aged 65 and over as 49.2 million.
the U.S. population, many of the Of them, more than half (28.7
social norms associated with old
age have changed in recent years. 5
Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-
Related Statistics, Older Americans
Individuals are remaining in the
2016: Key Indicators of Well-Being,
labor force past the typical retire- Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-
Related Statistics, Washington, DC,
ment age of 65. Modern health U.S. Government Printing Office, August
2016.

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)
Total population Male Female
Age
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

 For the institutionalized Figure 1.
population, the 65 to 74 Sex Ratio by Age: 2016
(Males per 100 females. Data based on sample. For information on
age group had the highest confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and
sex ratio (116) while the 85 definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)
and over age group had the
97
lowest (32), reflecting large
88
shares of prison populations 79
76
(mostly male) and those in
nursing facilities (mostly
female), respectively. 53

Note: The “institutionalized popula-

tion” is persons residing in institu-
tional group quarters such as adult
correctional facilities, juvenile facili-
ties, skilled-nursing facilities, and
other institutional facilities such as
mental (psychiatric) hospitals and in-
patient hospice facilities. For more
Total 65 and 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and
information on institutional group
population older older
quarters, please see Appendix B at
<www.census.gov/prod/cen2010
/doc/sf1.pdf>, accessed March 6,
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.
2018, <https://factfinder.census.gov
/help/en/institutionalized
_population.htm>.

The sex ratio declined with age. 100 implies more females. The the older population. Among the
sex ratio among the older popu- older population, those aged 65 to
The sex ratio, a measure of sex
lation is a result of higher life 74 had the highest sex ratio (88),
composition, also portrayed
expectancy of females relative to while the population 85 and older
the disparity in the number of
males.7 Nationwide, the sex ratio had the lowest sex ratio (53), rep-
males and females among the
was 97 compared with 79 for resenting nearly two females for
U.S. older population. The sex
every male (Figure 1).
ratio is defined as the number
of males per 100 females.6 A sex 7
The sex ratio at birth in the United States
ratio of exactly 100 would indi- has been around 105 males for every 100
females. However, since mortality at every
cate an equal number of males age is generally higher for males, the sex
ratio naturally declines with age. This
and females, with a sex ratio over
tendency progresses through age 85 and
100 indicating a greater num- above where there are considerably more
surviving women. These trends result in
ber of males. A sex ratio below more males at younger ages and more
females at older ages. See Lindsay
6
Frank Hobbs, “Age and Sex Composition,” M. Howden and Julie A. Meyer, “Age and
The Methods and Materials of Demography, Sex Composition: 2010,” 2010 Census
ed. Jacob S. Siegel and David A. Swanson, Briefs, C2010BR-03, U.S. Census Bureau,
Elsevier, New York, 2004, p. 130. Washington, DC, 2011.

U.S. Census Bureau 3

Race and Hispanic Origin
Race and Hispanic Origin Terminology
U.S. older population was
largely White. Individuals who responded to the question on race by indicating only
one race are referred to as the race alone population or the group
Almost two-thirds of the total that reported only one race category. “Some Other Race alone”
U.S. population identified as refers to individuals who did not identify with any of the five race
being White in the 2016 ACS, and categories, and “Two or More Races” denotes the population that
about 18 percent reported being identified with more than one race. Persons of Hispanic origin may
of Hispanic origin (Table 2). The be of any race. This report will refer to the White alone, non-Hispanic
share of the total population that population as White; Black or African American alone, non-Hispanic
was Black was estimated to be population as Black; Asian alone, non-Hispanic population as Asian;
around 12 percent; while the Asian American Indian and Alaska Native alone, non-Hispanic population
and Two or More Races groups as American Indian and Alaska Native; Native Hawaiian and Other
were about 5 percent and 2 per- Pacific Islander alone, non-Hispanic population as Native Hawaiian
cent, respectively.8 Additionally, and Other Pacific Islander; Some Other Race alone, non-Hispanic
American Indian and Alaska Native population as Some Other Race; and Two or More Races, non-
and Native Hawaiian and Other Hispanic population as Two or More Races unless otherwise noted.
Pacific Islander populations, as well The use of these categories does not imply that this is the preferred
as those classified as Some Other method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau uses a
Race composed less than 1 percent variety of approaches.
each of the total U.S. population.

Over three-quarters of the 49.2

percent were Black and 8 percent Other Race were each under 1 per-
million older population was White.
were Hispanic. Less than 5 percent cent of those 65 and older. Among
The proportions of the other
and about 1 percent of the older people 85 and older, Whites made
groups’ older populations were less
population were Asian and Two or up the highest percentage of the
than their respective representa-
More Races, respectively. The pro- population at 81 percent. All the
tions in the total population. Of
portions of older individuals who other groups each comprised less
those aged 65 and older, about 9
identified as American Indian and than 8 percent of those 85 and
Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and older.
8
See “Race and Hispanic Origin
Terminology” text box. Other Pacific Islander, and Some

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
population Under 65 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older
Race or Hispanic Origin
Per- Per- Num- Per- Num- Per- Num- Per- Num- Per-
Number cent Number cent ber cent ber cent ber cent ber cent
    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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,500 61.1 159,400 58.2 38,060 77.3 21,810 76.0 11,140 78.1 5,109 81.4
 Black or African
  American alone . . . . . . . . 39,720 12.3 35,330 12.9 4,389 8.9 2,731 9.5 1,206 8.5 453 7.2
 American Indian and
  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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,350 5.4 15,260 5.6 2,084 4.2 1,267 4.4 595 4.2 221 3.5
 Native Hawaiian and
  Other Pacific Islander
  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 males in the total population (49 More than twice as many women
CHARACTERISTICS percent and 3 percent). aged 85 and older were widowed
compared to men of the same age.
Marital Status Females 65 and older, as with
older males, were significantly With increasing age, women
Most males and females aged 65 less likely to have never married were less likely to be married or
and older had been married at (6 percent) compared with all divorced but more likely to be
some point in their lives. females 15 and older (31 percent). widowed, reflecting a longer life
Among older women, 44 percent expectancy relative to men. About
Figure 2 compares the marital
were married—less than the 46 2 out of 10 women aged 65 to 74
status of males and females 65
percent of women 15 and older were widowed compared with 4
and older relative to the total
who were married. Also, older out of 10 women aged 75 to 84
population. Only 6 percent of
women (34 percent) were more and 7 out of 10 women 85 and
older men were never married
likely to be widowed than women older. More than twice as many
compared with 37 percent of
15 and older (9 percent). women 85 and older were wid-
men 15 and older. Older males
owed (72 percent) compared to
were more likely to be married or
men of the same age (35 percent).
widowed (70 percent and 12 per-
cent, respectively) compared with

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

Male
Total population,
15 and older 36.9 49.1 1.7 9.7 2.6

65 and older 5.6 69.5 1.4 11.9 11.6

65 to 74 6.5 71.6 1.5 14.0 6.4

75 to 84 4.1 70.5 1.2 9.5 14.7

85 and older 4.1 53.9 0.8 6.0 35.3

Female
Total population,
15 and older 30.6 46.0 2.3 12.3 8.8

65 and older 5.6 43.9 1.2 15.1 34.2

65 to 74 6.3 54.4 1.5 18.2 19.5

75 to 84 4.6 38.7 0.8 13.0 42.9

85 and older 4.6 15.1 0.4 8.0 71.9

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.

U.S. Census Bureau 5

Even the oldest men were more Living Arrangements Older people were far more likely
often married, while very few to live alone and in group quarters
women in this age category were The likelihood of living in a family with age.
married. household diminished with age.
The steady decrease in the pro-
Similar proportions of males and Figure 3 illustrates the effects of portion living in family households
females aged 15 and older were life transitions on living arrange- among the older population was
married according to the 2016 ments of the older population. accompanied by an increase in the
ACS (49 percent and 46 percent, The proportion of older adults in proportion living alone. About 1
respectively). However, among the each type of living arrangement out of 5 adults 65 to 74 years old
population 65 and older, males changed with increasing age. In lived alone, but that figure dou-
were significantly more likely to be the 2016 ACS, the majority of the bled to around 4 out of 10 among
married (70 percent) compared total population (81 percent) and those 85 and older. People 85 and
with females (44 percent) in the people 65 and older (68 percent) older were also more likely to live
same age group. Among men lived in family households. The in group quarters (11 percent),
aged 65 to 74, almost three-quar- proportion living in family house- such as nursing facilities, and less
ters were married, compared with holds shrunk from almost three- likely to live in nonfamily house-
about half of men 85 and older. quarters among those aged 65 holds (2.1 percent) than other
Even at the oldest age group, 85 to 74 to less than half for those older adults.
and older, 54 percent of males 85 and older, perhaps due to
were still married compared with widowhood and a lower rate of
15 percent of females. remarriage.

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)

Living in group Living alone in Living with family in Living with nonfamily in
quarters1 a household a household a household

Total
population 2.5 10.3 81.0 6.2

65 and older 3.1 25.9 67.6 3.4

65 to 74 1.4 21.7 72.9 4.0

75 to 84 3.2 28.5 65.6 2.8

85 and older 10.6 39.0 48.2 2.1

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.

6 U.S. Census Bureau

With increasing age, grandparents female grandparents 65 and grandparents reported providing
were less likely to care for older were less likely than their care for their coresident grand-
coresident grandchildren. younger counterparts, aged 30 to children. For the population aged
64, to live with and provide care 30 to 64, men (41 percent) and
Over one-third each of all male
for grandchildren. The share of women (40 percent) were almost
and female grandparents aged
coresident caregivers declined equally likely to be caregivers for
30 and older were caregivers
even further with age. There were their grandchildren. The differ-
for their coresident grandchil-
30 percent male and 25 percent ence was greater for each age
dren (Figure 4).9 Both male and
female grandparents aged 65 to group of older grandparents, with
74 that provided care for their men aged 65 to 74 and 75 to 84
9
Data on grandparents as caregivers coresident grandchildren, com- being more likely to provide care
were derived from Questions 25a through
25c in the 2016 ACS. Data were col- pared with grandparents (13 per- for their grandchildren by 5 per-
lected on whether a grandchild lives with cent male and 10 percent female) centage points.
a grandparent in the household, whether
the grandparent is financially responsible 85 and older.
for food, shelter, clothing, day care, etc.,
for any or all grandchildren living in the
household, and the duration of that respon- Across all older ages, men were
sibility. See American Community Survey more likely to be caregivers for
and Puerto Rico Community Survey 2016
Subject Definition, U.S. Census Bureau, their coresident grandchildren.
Washington, DC, 2016, accessed March
6, 2018, <www2.census.gov In each age category, a higher
/programs-surveys/acs/tech_docs
/subject_definitions/2016_ proportion of male than female
ACSSubjectDefinitions.pdf>.

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)

Male Female

40.7 40.0
35.6 34.1
30.1
26.8
25.1
22.0
20.6
15.7
12.5
9.5

Total 30 to 64 65 and 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and

grandparents, older older
30 and older

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

U.S. Census Bureau 7

Nativity and Citizenship Status latter two groups including more naturalized citizens than foreign
recent immigrants than the White born in the total population; in
About one in ten older Asians was and Black groups.11 particular, older foreign-born
native born. Hispanics were nearly three times
Most people, including the older Among the foreign-born as likely to be naturalized citizens
population, in the United States population, older persons of all as foreign-born Hispanics in the
were native born (87 percent). races and ethnicities were more total population (35 percent ver-
Among older Asians, about one likely than younger persons to be sus 12 percent).
out of ten was native born. The naturalized citizens.
However, citizenship status among
majority of older Hispanics were For all races and ethnicities, the older population did vary by
either native born, 45 percent, or foreign-born people aged 65 race and ethnicity. For the older
naturalized citizens, 35 percent, and older were more likely to be foreign-born Asian population, 70
(Figure 5).10 At least 80 percent percent were naturalized citizens
of older Whites, Blacks, and All
11
The 2010 ACS estimated the number
of foreign born in the United States to be whereas 18 percent were nonciti-
Other Races were born in the nearly 40 million or 13 percent of the total zens. Among the older foreign-
United States. The older White population. The foreign-born population
from Latin America was the largest (53 born Hispanic population, the
and Black populations were far percent of all foreign born) followed by shares were 35 percent and 20
the foreign born from Asia (28 percent).
more likely to be native born than percent, respectively.
The foreign born from Latin America and
the Hispanic and Asian older Asia accounted for over 70 percent of the
newly arrived in 2005 or later. See Elizabeth
populations, most likely due to the M. Grieco, Yesenia D. Acosta, G. Patricia
del la Cruz, Christine Gambino, Thomas
10
The Census Bureau uses the term Gryn, Luke J. Larsen, Edward N. Trevelyan,
foreign born to refer to anyone who is not a and Nathan P. Walters, “The Foreign-Born
U.S. citizen at birth. This includes natural- Population in the United States: 2010,”
ized citizens, lawful permanent residents, American Community Survey Reports,
temporary migrants (such as foreign ACS-19, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington,
students), humanitarian migrants (such as DC, 2012; Nathan P. Walters and Edward
refugees), and undocumented migrants. N. Trevelyan, “The Newly Arrived Foreign-
The term native born refers to anyone born Born Population in the United States:
in the United States, Puerto Rico, or a 2010,” American Community Survey
U.S. Island Area, or those born abroad of at Briefs, ACSBR/10-16, U.S. Census Bureau,
least one U.S. citizen. Washington, DC, 2011.

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)

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

Total population
All ages 86.5 6.6 7.0

65 and older 86.5 10.0 3.5

Hispanic or Latino
All ages 65.8 12.2 22.0

65 and older 45.2 35.3 19.5

White alone, non-Hispanic

All ages 96.0 2.5 1.5

65 and older 94.5 4.4 1.1

Black or African American alone, non-Hispanic

All ages 90.8 5.4 3.8

65 and older 89.7 7.6 2.7

Asian alone, non-Hispanic

All ages 33.3 38.8 27.9

65 and older 12.2 69.6 18.1

All Other Races, non-Hispanic1

All ages 91.3 4.6 4.1

65 and older 84.1 11.8 4.1

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.

U.S. Census Bureau 9

Type of Language Spoken at The older foreign-born population
Home and Ability to Speak English that spoke a language other than For those who came to the
English at home were less likely to United States after 2010,
The majority of the older native-
speak English “very well.” more of the older population
born population but a smaller
spoke only English at home
proportion of the older foreign- Fifty-six percent of the older
(15 percent) compared to
born population spoke only foreign-born population that
those younger than the age
English at home. spoke a language other than
of 65 (12 percent). However,
English at home spoke English
Among the native born, 95 per- for those who spoke a lan-
“less than very well” compared
cent of the older population and guage other than English at
with their native-born counter-
89 percent of the total population home, fewer people 65 and
parts at 2 percent. Also, more of
spoke only English at home (Figure older spoke English “very
the total foreign-born population
6). However, less than one-quarter well” (10 percent) relative to
(49 percent) that spoke a lan-
of the foreign-born population those under the age of 65
guage other than English at home
spoke only English at home—22 (33 percent).
spoke English “less than very well”
percent among those aged 65 and
compared with the total native-
older and 16 percent for the total
born population (2 percent).
foreign-born population.

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)

Spoke only English at home Spoke a language other than English Spoke a language other than English
and spoke English “very well” and spoke English less than “very well"

Native-born
Total population,
5 and older
88.8 9.3 1.8

65 and older 94.9 3.6 1.5

65 to 74 95.1 3.5 1.3

75 to 84 94.8 3.5 1.6

85 and older 94.1 4.0 1.8

Foreign-born
Total population,
5 and older 15.9 35.0 49.1

65 and older 21.9 22.5 55.6

65 to 74 21.0 24.3 54.7

75 to 84 22.3 20.6 57.1

85 and older 25.2 18.5 56.3

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.

10 U.S. Census Bureau

Spanish was the language spoken Spanish while about one-quarter spoke other Indo-European lan-
most often other than English. spoke other Indo-European lan- guages; another 28 percent spoke
guages; less than 10 percent spoke an Asian or Pacific Island lan-
According to the 2016 ACS, the
Asian or Pacific Island and Other guage. Among the older native-
language spoken at home most
languages. born population, while the pro-
often other than English by both
portion who spoke Spanish was
native- and foreign-born individu-
The older foreign-born population higher (66 percent) than among
als, aged 5 and older, was Spanish
was over five times more likely the older foreign-born population,
(Figure 7). Three-quarters of the
than the older native-born a similar share (25 percent) spoke
native-born population and more
population to speak an Asian or other Indo-European languages,
than half of the foreign-born
Pacific Island language. and far fewer (5 percent) spoke
population who did not speak
Asian or Pacific Island languages.
English at home spoke Spanish. A significant proportion of older
Among the native-born population foreign-born people spoke
65 and older who did not speak Spanish (40 percent), but more
English at home, over half spoke than one-quarter (28 percent)

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)

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

Native born
Total population,
5 and older 74.8 13.1 8.2 3.9

65 and older 66.1 25.3 4.6 4.1

65 to 74 70.7 20.7 4.4 4.2

75 to 84 65.0 26.8 4.3 3.8

85 and older 51.1 39.3 5.5 4.1

Foreign born

Total population,
5 and older
51.5 19.9 22.5 6.0

65 and older 39.6 27.9 28.1 4.5

65 to 74 40.9 25.4 29.0 4.7

75 to 84 38.2 30.3 27.5 4.1

85 and older 36.7 34.3 25.0 4.0

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.

U.S. Census Bureau 11

Educational Attainment Among the older population, a women and 31 percent of men 25
higher percentage of men than and older earned at least a bach-
The older population was less women had a bachelor’s degree. elor’s degree.
likely to have a high school
diploma than the total population. Around 32 percent of men and 22
percent of women aged 65 and
The proportions of older men Younger persons of
older had at least a bachelor’s
(16 percent) and women (17 per- Hispanic origin are graduat-
degree. The difference was most
cent) that did not complete high ing high school at a much
pronounced for those 85 and
school were significantly higher higher rate than their older
older. Nearly twice the percent-
than men (13 percent) and women counterparts—69 percent of
age of men 85 and older had a
(12 percent) aged 25 and older Hispanics aged 25 to 64
bachelor’s degree or higher (28
(Figure 8). It was highest for the have at least a high school
percent) relative to women in
85 and older group, in which 24 diploma, compared to 39
the same age group (15 percent).
percent of men and 25 percent percent for Hispanics 85
Educational attainment between
of women were not high school and older.
men and women for the total
graduates. population, however, was close
to equal: almost 32 percent of

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)

Less than high school graduate High school graduate

Some college or associate’s degree Bachelor’s degree or higher
Male
Total population,
25 and older 13.3 28.1 27.8 30.8

65 and older 15.6 27.3 25.0 32.1

65 to 74 12.7 25.8 27.4 34.1

75 to 84 19.0 29.6 22.0 29.4

85 and older 23.9 30.3 18.1 27.7

Female
Total population,
25 and older 11.9 26.3 30.1 31.7

65 and older 17.2 34.9 25.6 22.3

65 to 74 13.3 31.6 28.7 26.5

75 to 84 20.5 38.1 23.1 18.3

85 and older 25.1 41.1 18.9 14.9

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.

12 U.S. Census Bureau

Computer Ownership and Internet households with a computer, as access among the older popu-
Access compared with 80 percent of lation (83 percent) and people
people 65 and older. Among the 85 and older had the lowest (55
Around 80 percent of people
older population, the proportion percent).
aged 65 and older lived in a
was greatest for people aged 65
household that had a computer.
to 74 (87 percent).
One of the social norms chang- Around 55 percent of the
ing for the older population is Over three-fourths of the older population living alone
that of computer ownership and population aged 65 and over had had access to the Internet,
Internet access.12 While people access to the Internet. compared with 84 percent
65 and older were less likely than of those living in a family
Internet access shared the same
the total population to live in a household and 77 percent
trend as computer ownership. The
household with a computer, 4 out of those living in a nonfam-
total population in households
of 5 still did so (Figure 9). Around ily household.
had higher instances of Internet
93 percent of all people lived in access (89 percent) as compared
with people 65 and older (76 per-
12
U.S. Census Bureau, P152-153, 65+ in cent). People aged 65 to 74 had
the United States: 2010, U.S. Government the highest proportion of Internet
Printing Office, Washington, DC, 2014.

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)

Computer ownership1 Internet access2

93.1
88.9 86.9 83.2
79.8 76.1
74.2
70.0
57.5 55.1

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

in households

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 Among the older population, the
homeownership rate was lowest The homeownership rate
A higher percentage of older for those aged 85 and older. among race and Hispanic
householders than householders groups 65 and older ranged
in the total population owned Around 79 percent of household- from 81 percent for Whites
ers aged 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 to 62 percent for Blacks.
their homes.
owned their home, as compared
Figure 10 shows that in all occu- to 69 percent of householders 85
pied housing units, around 78 per- population is consistent with the
and older. Even though they had
cent of householders aged 65 and trend of more people remaining
the lowest rate of homeowner-
older owned a home according to in their homes longer, instead of
ship among the older population,
the 2016 ACS. This is significantly moving to retirement or assisted-
people 85 and older owned their
different from the percentage of care communities.13
homes at a higher rate than the
householders 15 and older total population. The high home-
(63 percent). ownership rate for this
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)

77.9 79.4 78.9

68.7
63.1

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

housing units

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

14 U.S. Census Bureau

Disability The percentage of the population aged 65 to 74. The prevalence of
having each type of disability rose a vision disability showed one of
Serious difficulty walking or with age. the smallest increases (5 percent
climbing stairs was the most for those aged 65 to 74 and 16
prevalent disability for all older The percentage of people with
percent for those 85 and older)
population age groups. an independent living disability
and was one of the least prevalent
had one of the most noticeable
Over 15 percent of those aged 65 disabilities for each age group.
increases: the disability rate for
to 74 had ambulatory difficulty, those aged 85 and older was
along with over a quarter of those almost six times the rate of those
aged 75 to 84 and almost half of
those 85 and older (Figure 11).14
For the population aged 65 to 74,
Figure 11.
difficulty hearing was the second Disabilities by Age and Type: 2016
most prevalent disability (9 per- (Percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Data based on
cent), followed by difficulties with sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)
independent living (8 percent). It
was the opposite for those 85 and
older: difficulty doing errands, vis-
VISION 65 to 74
4.5
iting a doctor’s office, or shopping (Blind or serious
difficulty seeing, 7.2 75 to 84
was the second most common even when wearing
15.8 85 and older
(43 percent) and having difficulty glasses)
hearing was the third (35 percent).
Having a hearing disability or an
independent living disability was 9.2
HEARING
around 17 percent each for those (Deaf or serious 17.4
difficulty hearing)
aged 75 to 84. 34.6

About 69 percent of the AMBULATORY 15.4

population 85 and over had (Serious difficulty
walking or climbing 26.2
at least one type of dis-
stairs) 48.4
ability, compared with just
9 percent of the population
under the age of 65.
COGNITIVE1 5.4
(Serious difficulty
concentrating, 10.1
14
In an attempt to capture a variety remembering, or
making decisions) 23.3
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 limita-
SELF-CARE
4.4
tions are supplemented by questions about
(Difficulty dressing 9.3
difficulties with selected activities from
or bathing)
the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) 24.3
and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily
Living (IADL) scales, namely difficulty bath-
ing and dressing, and difficulty performing
errands such as shopping. Overall, the ACS INDEPENDENT
LIVING1 7.6
attempts to capture six aspects of disabil-
(Difficulty doing
ity, which can be used together to create an
errands alone 17.2
overall disability measure, or independently
such as visiting
to identify populations with specific disabil- 43.4
a doctor's office
ity types. See American Community Survey
or shopping)
and Puerto Rico Community Survey 2016
Subject Definition, U.S. Census Bureau,
Washington, DC, 2016, accessed March 6,
2018, <www2.census.gov/programs 1 Due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
-surveys/acs/tech_docs/subject Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.
_definitions/2016_ACSSubjectDefinitions
.pdf>.

U.S. Census Bureau 15

ECONOMIC
CHARACTERISTICS Figure 12.
Labor Force Participation Rate by Age and Sex: 2016
Labor Force Participation and (Percent of specified population that is in the labor force. Data based on
Occupation sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs)
Labor force participation was
lower for the older population. Male Female

For the total population aged 16

and over, 68 percent of males and Total population, 68.3
16 and older
58 percent of females participated 58.2
in the labor force (Figure 12).
Comparatively, for the population 21.9
65 and older
65 and older, 22 percent of men
14.2
and 14 percent of women were in
the labor force. While less than
29.8
the total population, these propor- 65 to 74
tions are consistent with trends 21.8
showing the number of people
65 and older in the workforce 11.2
75 to 84
increasing.15 This is particularly vis- 6.2
ible for the 65 to 74 age group, in
which around 30 percent of males
3.7
and 22 percent of females were in 85 and older
1.5
the labor force.

In every age group, a larger Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

proportion of men than women

were in the labor force. In all age groups, a higher
proportion of women than men Among all race and eth-
While a higher proportion of men nic groups 16 and older,
worked in the service sector and Hispanics had the highest
were in the labor force for all age
sales and office sector, whereas rate of labor force participa-
groups, the difference was more
a higher proportion of men tion (67 percent). However,
pronounced for the oldest two
participated in the production, for the population 65 and
age groups. Men were only about older, Hispanics had the
transportation, and material
a fifth more likely to be in the lowest rate of labor force
moving sector and natural participation (16.6 percent)
labor force compared to women
resources, construction, and along with Blacks (16.5
for the total population aged 16
maintenance sector. percent). Whites and Asians
and older. That rose to over a
had the highest participa-
third for the 65 to 74 age group. A consistently higher percent- tion rates (18 percent each)
However, for those aged 75 to age of women than men worked for this age group.
84, the percentage of men in the in the service sector, and women
workforce (11 percent) was almost were about twice as likely to be
twice the percentage of women employed in the sales and office resources, construction, and
(6 percent), and for those 85 and sector compared to men (Figure maintenance sector: for the total
older, the percentage of men was 13). Men, alternatively, were population aged 16 and older, men
around double (4 percent of men around three times as likely to were almost 18 times more likely
compared to 2 percent of women). be in the production, transporta- than women to work in this sector.
tion, and material moving sector This dropped to seven times more
15
Braedyn Kromer and David Howard, relative to women for most age likely at the 85 and older age
“Labor Force Participation and Work Status
groups. The difference is even group.
of People 65 Years and Older,” American
Community Survey Briefs, ACSBR/11-09, more noticeable for the natural
U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2013.

16 U.S. Census Bureau

 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)

Management, Business, Sales and Office Service Production, Transportation, Natural Resouces, Construction,
Science, and Arts and Material Moving and Maintenance

Male
Employed persons,
16 and older
34.0 17.0 15.0 17.9 16.1

65 and older 43.1 18.4 12.3 16.4 9.8

65 to 74 43.2 18.2 11.9 16.5 10.1

75 to 84 42.0 19.3 14.4 16.2 8.2

85 and older 45.6 21.3 13.6 12.1 7.4

Female
Employed persons,
41.6 30.3 21.5 5.8 0.9
16 and older

65 and older 38.1 36.7 19.4 5.2 0.6

65 to 74 39.1 36.0 19.2 5.1 0.6

75 to 84 32.4 40.3 21.1 5.3 0.9

85 and older 28.7 43.3 21.0 5.9 1.0

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.

The percentage of those in the population 16 and older had the

management, business, science, highest participation rate in man- Noncitizens 65 and older
and arts sector was highest for agement, business, science, and were most likely to be in
service occupations (36
men and lowest for women in the arts occupations (42 percent). percent), whereas native-
85 and older age group. Employment in this sector was born citizens of the same
lower for women aged 65 to 74 age were most likely to be
The proportion of men working
at 39 percent but dropped even in management, business,
in the management, business, science, and arts occupa-
more to 29 percent for women 85
science, and arts occupations tions (42 percent).
and older.
was higher for the older popula-
tions: around 34 percent for males
Women 85 and older were most in the older age groups. This
age 16 and older compared to 43
likely to have a sales and office sector employed more women
percent for males 65 and older.
occupation. than the management, business,
It reached 46 percent for men 85
and older. In contrast to the management, science, and the arts occupations
business, science, and arts sector, for those aged 75 to 84 (40 per-
The trend was opposite for cent) and those 85 and older (43
the percentage of women in sales
women, for whom the general percent).
and office occupations was higher

U.S. Census Bureau 17

Median Earnings and Household In each age group, men had
Income higher median earnings than The median earnings for
women. those 65 and older with a
Men and women aged 65 and bachelor’s degree or higher
older had higher median earnings According to the 2016 ACS, men was over two and half times
than men and women 16 and who worked full-time, year-round the amount earned by those
had higher median earnings than with less than a high school
older.
degree in the same age
women who worked full-time,
Figure 14 depicts median earn- group ($76,060 compared
year-round in each age group. with $28,520).
ings by age and sex for full-time,
Men aged 16 and older earned
year-round workers. The median
a median of $50,590 whereas
earnings of workers 65 and older
median earnings for women of
was $56,850 for men and $41,200
the same age were $40,630. The
for women. Among these older
difference was greater among the
workers, men aged 65 to 74 had
oldest population. For the 85 and
the highest median earnings
older age group, men had median
($58,930), and women 85 and
earnings of $50,120, and women
older had the lowest median earn-
had median earnings of $31,890.
ings ($31,890).

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)

Male Female

All workers, $50,590

16 and older
$40,630

21.9 $56,850
65 and older
14.2 $41,200

29.8 $58,930
65 to 74
21.8 $41,720

11.2 $47,250
75 to 84
6.2 $34,220

3.7 $50,120
85 and older
1.5 $31,890

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

18 U.S. Census Bureau

 Figure 15. Older men living in fam-
Household Income Received in the Past 12 Months ily households were more
by Age and Selected Source likely to have higher earn-
(Percent of occupied housing units classified by age of householder. Data ings ($59,360) than men
based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling 65 and older living alone
error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs) ($50,920), but older women
living alone had higher earn-
ings ($42,200) compared
Earnings1 Retirement2 Social Security3
with their counterparts
living in family households
($40,810).
77.6
Total population,
occupied housing 18.7
units Earnings went from the most
31.1
common form of income for the
population under the age of
91.2 65 to the least common for the
15 to 64 8.6 population 65 and older.
11.3
While 91 percent of households
with a householder 15 to 64 years
37.2 old received earnings, only 37 per-
65 and older 48.8 cent of households with a house-
89.9 holder 65 or older did so (Figure
15). Of the older age groups,
householders aged 65 to 74 were
48.9 most likely to have earnings (49
65 to 74 47.5 percent). The percentage with
87.0 earnings was lower for household-
ers aged 75 to 84 (25 percent)
and householders 85 and older (13
24.8 percent).
75 to 84 51.4
93.9 Social Security was the most
common form of income for those
aged 65 and older.
13.3
85 and older 49.1 While about half of households with
93.7 a householder 65 or older received
retirement income, around 90 per-
cent of these households received
social security income. The percent-
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 age receiving social security was
deductions for personal income taxes, social security, bond purchases, union dues, high for all age groups in the older
Medicare deductions, etc.
2 Retirement income includes (a) retirement pensions and survivor benefits from a population—87 percent for the 65
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;
to 74 age group and 94 percent for
federal, state, or local government; and the U.S. military; (c) periodic receipts from both the 75 to 84 and 85 and older
annuities and insurance; and (d) regular income from IRA and KEOGH plans. This
category does not include social security income. age groups.
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.

U.S. Census Bureau 19

Poverty Rate A higher percentage of women
than men were in poverty. Unlike other race and ethnic
The percentage of people groups, older Asians were
in poverty was lower for the Among the older population, more likely to be in poverty
population aged 65 and older than the poverty rate for women rose (13 percent) than Asians
with age, reaching 13 percent for in the total population (12
for the total population.
those aged 85 and older—the percent). The poverty rate
The percentage of the total popu- for Asians 85 and older was
highest poverty rate for the older
lation in poverty was almost 13 even higher at 18 percent.
population. The poverty rate also
percent for males and 15 percent increased for men, from around 7
for females (Figure 16). The pov- percent for those aged 65 to 74
erty rate was significantly lower for to over 8 percent for those 85 and
males (7 percent) and females (11 older.
percent) in the older population.

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)

Male Female

15.2
13.4
12.8
11.6
10.7
9.6
8.2
7.4 7.3 7.6

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

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.

20 U.S. Census Bureau

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION • A minority of older grandpar- • The proportion of the older
ents (27 percent for people population who had a com-
This report presented a statistical
aged 65 to 74 and 11 percent for puter at home ranged from 58
portrait of the population aged 65
people 85 and older) provided percent among individuals 85
and older in the United States by
care for their coresident grand- and older to 87 percent among
comparing selected demographic,
children, with a higher propor- those 65 to 74 years old, with
social, housing, and economic
tion reported among males a similar pattern for Internet
characteristics among those
compared with females. access: 55 percent for the
aged 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85
• About 9 out of 10 older Whites former and 83 percent for the
and older based on the 2016 ACS
and Blacks were born in the latter.
1-year data. The following were
United States compared with • The homeownership rate (the
the significant highlights:
about 4 out of 10 and 1 out of percentage of all occupied
• Those aged 65 to 74 were the 10 older Hispanics and Asians, housing units that are owner-
largest among the three age respectively, a reflection of the occupied) was highest among
groups, numbering 28.7 mil- groups’ migration experiences. people aged 65 to 74 (79 per-
lion or 58 percent of the older • Most of the native-born older cent); it was also higher for the
population. population (95 percent) spoke other older age groups com-
• There were more females than only English at home compared pared with the rate for all ages
males, with sex ratios ranging with a minority of foreign-born (63 percent).
from 89 for those aged 65 to 74 older adults (22 percent). • The proportion of the older
to 53 for the population 85 and • For those who spoke a lan- population with some disability
older. guage other than English at increased with age, with the
• The older population was home, Spanish was popular highest percentage having seri-
largely White, especially so at among older foreign-born indi- ous difficulty walking or climb-
older ages, with 81 percent of viduals (40 percent); however, ing stairs among people 85 and
the population 85 and older more than 25 percent each also older (48 percent).
White, compared with 61 per- spoke Asian or Pacific Island • Labor force participation
cent White for the overall languages and other Indo- decreased with age, but more
U.S. population. European languages—another males than females remained in
• Although most of the older indicator of recent migration the labor force.
population had been married flows, especially from Asia. • Older men (43 percent) had a
at some point in their lives, a • Almost twice as many males greater share of employment in
majority of older females (72 (24 percent) and females (25 management, business, science,
percent) were widowed by the percent) 85 and older did not and arts occupations, con-
age of 85 and older, while more complete high school com- sistent with their educational
than half of their male counter- pared with males (13 percent) attainment, than older women
parts were still married. and females (12 percent) 25 and (38 percent).
• The likelihood of living in a fam- older. • Older men ($58,930) and
ily household diminished with • Nearly twice as many males women ($41,720) aged 65 to 74
age from 73 percent among (28 percent) 85 and older had had higher median earnings in
people aged 65 to 74 to 48 a bachelor’s degree or higher the past 12 months compared
percent for those 85 and older; than females (15 percent) in the with male ($50,590) and female
conversely, people living alone same age group; more females ($40,630) workers 16 and older
almost doubled from 22 per- (32 percent) than males (31 and their counterparts among
cent for the former age group percent) 25 and older had a the other age groups.
to 39 percent for the latter. bachelor’s degree or higher.

U.S. Census Bureau 21

• The most common type of confidence level. In addition to CONTACT
household income received in sampling error, nonsampling error
may be introduced during any of For questions related to the
the past 12 months among the
the operations used to collect and contents of this report and the
population 65 and older was
process survey data such as accompanying tables, contact the
social security (90 percent),
editing, reviewing, or keying data authors:
received most by those 85 and
older (94 percent). from questionnaires. For more Andrew W. Roberts
• Women 85 and older had the information on sampling and <Andrew.W.Roberts@census.gov>
highest poverty rate (13 per- estimation methods, confidential- 301-763-1885
cent) among the older popu- ity protection, and sampling and Population Division
lation, higher than their male nonsampling errors, please see U.S. Census Bureau
counterparts (8 percent), and the 2016 ACS Accuracy of the
Data document located at Stella U. Ogunwole
rivaling men (13 percent) and
<www.census.gov/programs <Stella.U.Ogunwole@census.gov>
women (15 percent) in the gen-
-surveys/acs/technical 301-763-6141
eral population.
-documentation/code-lists.html>. Population Division
The ACS is the only source of U.S. Census Bureau
small-area estimates on social and What Is the American Community
demographic characteristics for Survey? Laura Blakeslee
the nation. Information from this <Laura.Blakeslee@census.gov>
The American Community 301-763-4429
report will provide communities,
Survey (ACS) is a nationwide Population Division
including retailers, homebuilders,
survey designed to provide U.S. Census Bureau
and town and city planners, the
communities with reliable and
current information they need for Megan A. Rabe
timely demographic, social,
planning investments and services <Megan.Ann.Rabe@census.gov>
economic, and housing data for
for the older population. 301-763-2949
the nation, states, congressional
districts, counties, places, and Population Division
Source and Accuracy
other localities every year. It has U.S. Census Bureau
The data presented in this report
an annual sample size of about
are based on the ACS sample
3.5 million addresses across the SUGGESTED CITATION
interviewed from January 1, 2016,
United States and Puerto Rico Roberts, Andrew W., Stella U.
through December 31, 2016. The
and includes both housing units Ogunwole, Laura Blakeslee, and
estimates based on this sample
and group quarters (e.g., nurs- Megan A. Rabe, “The Population 65
describe the actual average values
ing facilities and prisons). The Years and Older in the United States:
of person, household, and housing
ACS is conducted in every county 2016,” American Community Survey
unit characteristics over this
throughout the nation, and every Reports, ACS-38, U.S. Census
period of collection. Sampling
municipio in Puerto Rico, where it Bureau, Washington, DC, 2018.
error is the uncertainty between
is called the Puerto Rico
an estimate based on a sample ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Community Survey. Beginning
and the corresponding value that
in 2006, ACS data have been In the Population Division, general
would be obtained if the estimate
released annually for geographic direction and support was provided
were based on the entire popula-
areas with populations of 65,000 by Karen Battle, Division Chief, and
tion (as from a census). Measures
and greater. For information on Roberto Ramirez, Assistant Division
of sampling error are provided in
the ACS sample design and other Chief, Special Population Statistics.
the form of margins of error for all
topics, visit <www.census.gov The report was reviewed by Sirius
estimates included in this report.
/acs>. Fuller, Kimberly Orozco, Marc Perry,
All comparative statements in this
report have undergone statistical Merarys Rios, Anne Ross, Hyon
testing and comparisons are Shin, and Amy Smith. Further assis-
significant at the 90 percent tance 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)
Total population Male Female
Age
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
population Under 65 65 and older 65 to 74 75 to 84 85 and older
Race or Hispanic Origin
Num- Per- Num- Per- Num- Per- Num- Per- Num- Per- Num- Per-
ber cent ber cent ber cent ber cent ber cent ber cent
    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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,000 Z 20,000 Z 4,700 Z 4,800 0.1 32,000 0.1 31,500 0.2
 Black or African American
  alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,500 Z 12,000 Z 12,000 Z 12,000 Z 11,500 0.1 8,800 0.1
 American Indian and Alaska
  Native alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,500 Z 17,500 0.3 6,000 Z 5,300 Z 2,900 Z 1,700 Z
 Asian alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,500 Z 41,000 0.1 9,900 Z 8,000 Z 7,900 0.1 6,700 0.1
 Native Hawaiian and Other
  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)

Total Age
Characteristic
population 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 defini-
tions, see www.census.gov/acs) 

Total Age
Characteristic
population 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 . . . . . . . . . . 22.7 21.1 25.6 24.4 26.3 29.0
 Spoke a language other than English
  and—
  Spoke English very well . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.7 38.9 26.8 29.1 24.9 21.3
  Spoke English less than very well . . . . 42.6 40.0 47.6 46.5 48.7 49.7
Year of entry between 1990 and 1999
 Spoke only English at home . . . . . . . . . . 13.7 13.9 12.2 13.1 11.2 9.2
 Spoke a language other than English
  and—
  Spoke English very well . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.3 38.5 13.0 15.9 8.9 7.6
  Spoke English less than very well . . . . 50.0 47.6 74.8 71.0 79.9 83.1
Year of entry between 2000 and 2009
 Spoke only English at home . . . . . . . . . . 12.2 12.2 11.4 12.0 9.8 13.9
 Spoke a language other than English
  and—
  Spoke English very well . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.3 37.6 11.4 12.5 9.4 10.0
  Spoke English less than very well . . . . 51.5 50.2 77.2 75.6 80.8 76.0
Year of entry 2010 or later
 Spoke only English at home . . . . . . . . . . 12.3 12.1 14.6 14.9 14.5 12.6
 Spoke a language other than English
  and—
  Spoke English very well . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.9 33.2 10.1 10.8 8.9 7.7
  Spoke English less than very well . . . . 55.8 54.7 75.3 74.3 76.6 79.7

High School Graduate or More

    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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88.0 89.5 78.9 83.7 72.3 64.5

Internet Access
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 . . . . . . . . . 89.7 90.8 77.3 80.9 71.2 64.8

Homeownership Rate
    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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.5 45.6 70.1 69.4 72.1 68.7

Disability
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 defini-
tions, see www.census.gov/acs)
Age
Total
Characteristic 65 and 85 and
population
Under 65 older 65 to 74 75 to 84 older
Labor Force Participation Rate
    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.1 73.9 17.6 25.5 8.3 2.2
Hispanic or Latino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.3 72.7 16.6 24.0 6.3 2.1
Not Hispanic or Latino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.4 74.2 17.7 25.7 8.5 2.3
 White alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.2 75.5 17.8 26.0 8.7 2.3
 Black or African American alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.2 69.8 16.5 22.9 7.3 1.9
 Asian alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.5 72.5 18.1 26.1 6.9 1.9
 All other races . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.5 68.7 18.1 24.4 7.9 3.3

Percent Employed in Occupation

Native-born citizen
 Management, business, science, and arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.8 38.6 41.9 42.6 37.9 38.9
 Sales and office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.7 24.6 27.9 27.6 29.1 31.6
 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.8 17.0 13.9 13.4 16.5 15.6
 Production, transportation, and material moving . . . . . . 11.6 11.6 10.9 10.8 11.5 9.7
 Natural resource, construction, and maintenance . . . . . 8.0 8.2 5.5 5.6 5.1 4.3
Naturalized citizen
 Management, business, science, and arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.4 39.5 38.9 38.5 42.0 39.5
 Sales and office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.9 19.9 19.8 19.5 22.0 21.9
 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.2 20.0 22.8 23.1 20.6 23.6
 Production, transportation, and material moving . . . . . . 13.3 13.3 13.4 13.8 11.3 6.9
 Natural resource, construction, and maintenance . . . . . 7.1 7.2 5.1 5.2 4.2 8.2
Noncitizen
 Management, business, science, and arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.0 24.1 18.8 18.2 24.2 19.1
 Sales and office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.3 13.3 15.3 14.7 18.3 30.6
 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.8 27.7 36.0 36.5 32.1 34.6
 Production, transportation, and material moving . . . . . . 16.5 16.4 18.0 18.5 14.7 9.5
 Natural resource, construction, and maintenance . . . . . 18.5 18.6 11.9 12.2 10.7 6.3

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

Male
 Living with others in a household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,660 $50,510  $59,360 $60,470 $49,660 $44,130
 Living alone in a household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $51,280 $51,300  $50,920 $51,460 $42,070 $52,310
 Living in group quarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,600 $21,560  $29,020 $29,880 $27,020 $35,420
Female
 Living with others in a household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40,130 $40,120  $40,810 $41,180 $35,370 $31,390
 Living alone in a household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $46,620 $46,910  $42,200 $44,220 $32,610 $32,360
 Living in group quarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,380 $19,250  $21,650 $21,830 $21,020 $7,000

Less than high school graduate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,280 $27,260 $28,520 $29,020 $27,020 $26,650
High school graduate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34,940 $34,810 $36,470 $36,910 $31,750 $32,040
Some college or associate’s degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $41,140 $41,050 $46,420 $46,960 $39,570 $40,970
Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $67,560 $67,300 $76,060 $76,580 $67,020 $66,340

Poverty Rate
    Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.0 14.9 9.2 8.5 9.9 11.5
Hispanic or Latino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.0 21.2 18.1 17.2 19.3 20.5
Not Hispanic or Latino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.5 13.4 8.5  7.7 9.0 10.9
 White alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.0 10.7 7.2 6.4 7.8 9.7
 Black or African American alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.8 24.8 16.3 15.6 16.9 18.7
 Asian alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.7 11.6 12.9 11.0 15.0 18.1
 All other races . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.2 19.6 14.7 13.7 15.6 18.7
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

25 U.S. Census Bureau