In 2016, the oldest of the baby boomers,
the generation born between 1946 and 1964, turned 70 years old. Among
the Americans celebrating their 70th will be our two most recent
presidents, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Other well-known
celebrities reaching this milestone include Cher, Donald Trump,
Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton. To commemorate this occasion, the
Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts relating to, perhaps,
our most celebrated generation.
78.2 million -
Estimated number of baby boomers, as of July 1, 2005. <www.census.gov/popest/national/>
7,918 - Number of people
turning 70 each day in 2016, according to projections. That amounts to
330 every hour. <www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/>
James & Mary - The most
popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 1946. Today, the
names Jacob and Emily lead the list; James ranks 17th among boys and
Mary is 63rd among girls. (Source: Social Security Administration, at <www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html>)
50.8% - Percentage of
women baby boomers in 2005.
<www.census.gov/popest/national/>
9.1 million - Estimated
number of baby boomers in 2004 who were black. Also, 8.0 million boomers
were Hispanic (of any race). <www.census.gov/popest/national/>
32% - Proportion of
Alaska’s population that was part of the baby boom generation, as of the
last census. Baby boomers also comprised 30 percent or more of the
population in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. In contrast, Utah (23
percent) was the only state where baby boomers constituted less than 25
percent. <www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-12.pdf>
Then and Now
141 million - Estimated
U.S. population in 1946. Today, the nation’s population stands at about
298 million. <www.census.gov/popest/archives/1990s/popclockest.txt>
and <www.census.gov>
33% and 5% - The
proportions of adults age 25 and older with at least a high school
diploma and at least a bachelor’s degree, respectively, in 1947. By
2004, the respective proportions had risen to 85 percent and 28 percent.
<www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/educ-attn.html>
The Future
$2,695 - Average annual
expenditures on health care in 2004 for people ages 45 to 54 — the age
group that is the heart of the baby boom generation. When budgeting
medical expenses, baby boomers should expect increased health-care
spending as they age; for instance, those age 55 to 64 spent $3,262 and
those 65 and over, $3,899.
(Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics)
57.8 million - Number of
baby boomers living in 2030, according to projections; 54.9 percent
would be female. That year, boomers would be between ages 66 and 84. <www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/>
2.1 - The number of
workers for each Social Security beneficiary in 2031, when all baby
boomers will be over age 65. Currently, there are 3.3 workers for each
Social Security beneficiary. (Source: Social Security Administration, at
<www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact.htm>
4,041 - Number of
continuing care retirement facilities in 2003. Many boomers could have
parents in need of such facilities or may have to move into such a
facility themselves in the future. <www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
Staying Young and Fit
27,813 -
Number of fitness and recreation centers
nationwide in 2003. These are good places to visit on a regular basis
for boomers who are trying to become or stay physically fit. <www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
11,938 - Number of
cosmetics, beauty supply and perfume stores in 2003. These stores carry
numerous anti-aging skin care products aimed at people in this age
group. <www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html>
