May 28, 2021

2020 Profile of Older Americans Released

BY Linda Couch

On May 28, the Administration on Community Living released the 2020 Profile of Older Americans, an annual summary of statistics related to older adults in the United States. The report includes key topic areas such as housing, income, living arrangements, education, health, and caregiving. The 2020 Profile includes special sections on COVID-19 and mental health.

According to the report, in 2019, 45% of older householders spent one-third or more of their income on housing costs: 36% for owners and 76% for renters.

Of the 14.1 million households headed by persons age 75 and older in 2019, 77% (10.8 million) owned their homes and 23% (3.3 million) rented. The median household income of older homeowners was $36,200. The median household income of older renters was $18,280.

Here is a selection of additional information from the report:

  • In 2019, the population age 65+ was 54.1 million—30 million women and 24.1 million men.
  • States with the highest percentage of populations age 65+ in 2019: Maine, Florida, West Virginia, and Vermont.
  • The 2019 median income of older persons was $27,398 ($36,921 for men and $21,815 for women).
  • In 2019, 4.9 million people age 65+ lived below the poverty level. Another 2.6 million were “near-poor.”
  • In 2019, about 1.1 million people age 60+ were responsible for the basic needs of at least one grandchild under age 18 living with them.
  • The four states with the highest percentage of their populations age 65 and older in 2019 were Maine (21%), Florida (21%), West Virginia (20%), and Vermont (20%).
  • In three states, the age 65 and older population increased by 57% or more between 2009 and 2019: Alaska (72%), Colorado (58%), and Nevada (57%).
  • In 2019, poverty rates were at or above 10% for older adults living in New Mexico (13.5%), District of Columbia (13.3%), Louisiana (13.2%), Mississippi (13.2%), New York (12%), Kentucky (11.6%), Florida (10.7%), Texas (10.6%), Alabama (10.5%), Arkansas (10.5%), California (10.5%), Georgia (10.4%), and South Carolina (10.1%).

Read the full report and access data tables here.