Demographics Demographic Trends: An Aging Population
The United States of America, Arizona, and Pima County continue to age. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the population has rapidly shifted since the year 2000. According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2021, the population of the United States was 329,725,481, with 73,789,098 being 60 years of age or older (22%). This represents a 2% increase in the older adult population since the last time we reported these numbers in 2017. Arizona’s population has increased over the past several years as well, growing from 6,641,928 people to 7,079,203. The percentage of older adults in Arizona has increased from 21% to 24% of the state’s population. In Pima County, the population of older adults increased from 233,698 to 270,496. By percentage, the older population of Pima County increased from the 2015 American Community Survey to the 2021 American Community Survey from 23.4% to 26.1%. The aging nature of the nation, state, and Pima County are most noticeable in the increases of older adults compared to the overall population over time. Between 2015 and 2021, the United States population grew by 4% while the population of those 60 and over grew by 17%. In Arizona, the state population increased by 6.5% while the population of those 60 years of age and older grew by 19.4%. Pima County’s older population growth was somewhat smaller, but continues to outpace that of the overall population. The overall population of Pima County increased by 3.7% between 2015 and 2021 while the population of those 60 and over increased by 16%. It is evident that the portion of people 60 and over is one of the fastest growing segments of our population, highlighting the need for resources, support, and public policy for older adults choosing to stay in their homes and community as they age.
24 % of Arizona adults are 60 and over
26 % of Pima County adults are 60 and over
19 % 2015- 2021 GROWTH
16 % 2015- 2021 GROWTH
Source: Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2021
A Report to the Community
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Pima Council on Aging
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