Fun Facts About the Senior Population: Lifestyle Choices

Where and how the senior population chooses to live

What lifestyle decisions does the senior population make? For example, where do most seniors like to live? Are more seniors married? And what does the senior population like to do for fun?

Take a look at these interesting statistics on the lifestyle choices that the senior population makes, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau:

MILITARY SERVICE
9.1 million - Estimated number of seniors age 65 and older who are military veterans.

Related Resources:

• U.S. Military Resources & Information

EMPLOYMENT
5 million – Number of seniors age 65 and older who have jobs.

Related Resources:

• Why Seniors and Baby Boomers Choose Retirement Jobs
• Tips for Finding the Best Retirement Jobs
• 10 Steps to a Successful Career Change

EDUCATION
73 percent - Percentage of seniors age 65+ in 2004 who have at least a high school diploma.

19 percent - Percentage of seniors age 65 and older in 2004 who had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education.

47,000 – The number of seniors 65 and older who were enrolled in college in October 2004.

Related Resources:

• The Benefits of Lifelong Learning
• Find Lifelong Learning Resources Near You

MARITAL STATUS
56 percent - Percentage of seniors age 65 and older who were married in 2004.

31 percent - Percentage of seniors 65 and older who were widowed in 2004.

Related Resources:

• Tips for a Long Lasting Marriage
• 5 Steps to Help You Through the Grieving Process
• Meet People Who Share Your Special Interests

VOTING
79 percent - Percentage of U.S. citizens age 65 and older who were registered to vote in the 2004 presidential election. Seniors make up the highest percentage of registered voters in any age group.

• 71 percent - Percentage of seniors 65+ who were registered to vote and reported that they voted.
• 19 percent - Of all voters in the 2004 election, this percentage was 65 and older.
• 41 percent - Of all votes expected in the 2040 presidential election, this percentage is projected to be cast by seniors 65 and older.

Related Resource:

• Register to Vote

HOME OWNERSHIP
81 percent - Proportion of householders age 65 and older in 2005 who owned their homes.

• 43 percent of householders under age 35 own their homes.

Related Resources:

• Reverse Mortgages Help Older Adults Get Needed Cash
• Inspection Checklist for Home Repair
• Simple Home Modifications Can Ensure Independent Living

WHERE DO MORE SENIORS LIVE?
17 percent - Percentage of Florida’s population that was 65 and older on July 1, 2004. Florida led all states in this category.

• West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Iowa followed closely, at 15 percent each.

4.2 percent Percentage increase in the number of seniors age 65 and older in Nevada between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004.

• This is the highest in the U.S. Alaska followed closely at 3.8 percent.

3.8 million Number of people 65 and older living in California on July 1, 2004.

• This is the highest total of any state.
• Florida came in second with 2.9 million.

Related Resource:

• Top 50 U.S. Cities for Seniors
• Florida for Visitors
• California for Visitors

WHAT DO SENIORS LIKE TO DO?
RECREATION
11.3 million - Number of seniors 65 and older who engage in exercise walking at least six times a year.

• Exercise walking is by far the most popular sports activity for seniors (and also for younger adults), followed by exercising with equipment, net fishing, camping, golf and swimming.

About 3-in-10 - The number of mass market, or “pocket sized” books purchased in 2004 by seniors age 65+, compared to the entire adult population.

Related Resources:

• 4 Best Exercises for Older Adults
• Exercise Reduces Risk of Dementia in Older Adults
• How to Start a Walking Exercise Program
• Exercise for Beginners
• Freshwater Fishing Information and Resources
• Camping Gear Checklists
• Ten Basics for Your First Round of Golf
• What’s Good About Swimming?
• Reading Lists for Every Interest

CARS
78 percent - Percentage of householders age 65 and older who own a motor vehicle.

3 percent - Percentage of households with a householder age 65 or older who have three or more cars available to use.

Related Resources:

• Top picks: Fuel-efficient fun cars
• Top 10 Features Your Next Car Should Have

COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET
40 percent - Percentage of seniors 65 and older who have a computer at home.

25 percent - Percentage of seniors 65 and older who use the Internet.

Related Resources:

• Four Questions to Ask Before Buying a New Computer
• Internet for Beginners
• How to Increase Your Internet Safety

The senior population – in this country and around the world – is growing and changing. For some interesting – and surprising – demographics about the senior population, see Fun Facts About the Senior Population: Demographics.