//Where Does Sarasota Stand
Where Does Sarasota Stand, Our Town Sarasota News Events

Where Does Sarasota Stand

Where does Sarasota Stand….

MOST POPULAR COUNTIES FOR AGING AMERICANS  by Richard Chace

Where Does Sarasota Stand, Our Town Sarasota News Events
It is no surprise that with continued advances in health care, nutritional awareness and medical science, people are living longer. With oldest Baby Boomers reaching retirement age and many of their parents still living, the average U.S. county’s 65-and-older population grew by 12.4% from 2010 to 2014. As a result, 97% of U.S. counties experienced an increase in their 65-and-older population since 2010 according to the Pew Research Center analysis of the Census Bureau’s 2014 population estimates.

The Pew Research Center’s analysis of population change over time included only counties or county equivalents with a population of 1,000 or more adults aged 65 and older in 2014. While some counties are well known for their “aging” populations, such as several in Florida, which is popular for the warm weather and friendly taxes. It may be somewhat surprising to learn that several counties in Colorado are among “The Grayest Counties in the U.S.,” including Douglas County. Located just south of Denver, Douglas County currently leads the country with a 53.7% increase in the 65-and-older population from 2010 to 2014. Two other Colorado counties, Routt, situated on the Wyoming border, and Elbert, based southeast of Denver, were also among the top three on the chart having experienced growth rates above 50%.

However, continuing its popularity with snowbirds and retirees, the Sunshine State continues to be one of the nation’s grayest states, with 19.1% of Florida population 65 and older – the highest percentage in the United States. In fact, “53 of 67 counties in Florida have an above-average share of people 65 and older when compared with the percentage of Americans in that demographic (14.5%, or 46.2 million),” according to the Pew Center Research. Sumter County, located just west of Orlando as well as serving as the base of the popular The Villages retirement community, has the distinction of being the only U.S. county with more than half (52.9%) of the residents aged 65 and older. With a median age of 65.9, Sumter County also has the highest median age in the U.S., which it notably almost 44 years more than the population in Lexington City, VA – which is currently the county or county equivalent with the lowest median age.

Several coastal counties in Florida also made the list, including Charlotte County (ranked second in percentage of people who are 65 and older at 37.7%) as well as its immediate neighbor to the north, Sarasota County (33.9%) and Citrus County (35.2%), which is just west of Sumter County.
Where Does Sarasota Stand, Our Town Sarasota News Events

Given the rate of the aging of Americans it is interesting to note that a small portion of counties (3%) experienced a decrease in the 65-and-older demographic since 2010, such as Alfalfa County in Oklahoma at 9.5%. Located on the Kansas border, the small county had the highest drop in the 65-and-older population.

While none of the California counties made the chart, you can see how the state’s aging population is distributed on the map below. And if the time has come when your aging loved one is no longer able to live independently, please contact the knowledgeable staff at California Registry to help you find elder care services or an assisted living facility within California that is customized for your family.

Where Does Sarasota Stand, Our Town Sarasota News Events