Exploring Senior Demographics of Hawaii
Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Rachel
Introduction
Hawaii, often celebrated for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, is home to a significant senior population. In 2022, the state’s senior citizens aged 65 and over numbered 294,654. These residents represent a diverse and thriving group, contributing to the state’s rich tapestry of life. This article delves into the American Community Survey 2022 data to provide insights into Hawaii’s seniors across various aspects of life.
Sex And Age
The senior population in Hawaii, aged 65 years and over, comprises a total of 294,654 individuals. Within this group, there is a near-even distribution between males and females, with 45.5% being male and 54.5% being female. The median age among this demographic is 73.9 years.
Racial Composition
Regarding race, the majority of seniors in Hawaii identify as a single race, accounting for 86.6% of the population. The breakdown of single races includes 27.1% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 50.7% Asian, 6.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 1.3% identifying as some other race. Approximately 13.4% of seniors in this age group identify as belonging to two or more races. Furthermore, 3.4% of seniors report Hispanic or Latino origin, regardless of their race, while 26.5% are White alone and not of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Relationships and Households
Out of the senior population in Hawaii, 287,648 individuals live in households. The majority of these seniors, 82.7%, either act as householders or reside with their spouses. Additionally, 7.0% are parents, while 5.9% live with other relatives, and 4.4% live with nonrelatives. Among nonrelatives, 1.1% are unmarried partners.
Household Types
Hawaii’s senior population is distributed among 165,788 households. Of these, 61.7% are family households, including 44.5% married-couple families and 13.0% female householders with no spouse present. The remaining 38.3% constitute nonfamily households, with the majority, 34.3%, being households where the householder lives alone.
Marital Status
For the population aged 15 years and over in this demographic, marital status varies. A significant portion, 56.6%, is currently married, except for those who are separated. Additionally, 20.1% are widowed, 13.9% are divorced, 0.8% are separated, and 8.6% have never been married.
Educational Attainment
Educational attainment among the senior population aged 25 years and over is diverse. Approximately 10.1% have less than a high school education, while 27.8% have a high school diploma, GED, or an alternative credential. Furthermore, 28.9% have completed some college or hold an associate’s degree, and 33.2% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Responsibility for Grandchildren
Among the population aged 30 years and over, 10.0% live with their grandchildren, with 1.2% of them being responsible for their grandchildren.
Veteran Status
In the civilian population aged 18 years and over, 14.8% are identified as civilian veterans.
Disability Status
Among the civilian noninstitutionalized population, 32.9% report having some form of disability, while 67.1% do not report any disability.
Residence 1 Year Ago
When considering the population aged 1 year and over, 94.0% of seniors remained in the same house, while 5.8% moved to a different house within the United States. Of those who moved within the United States, 3.3% stayed within the same county, and 2.5% moved to a different county. Furthermore, 0.2% of seniors moved abroad.
Place of Birth, Nativity, and Citizenship Status
The senior population in Hawaii consists of 229,110 native-born individuals and 65,544 foreign-born individuals. Among the foreign-born population, 6.6% entered the United States in 2010 or later, 7.6% entered between 2000 and 2009, and a significant 85.7% entered the United States before 2000. Of the foreign-born population, 77.2% have become naturalized U.S. citizens, while 22.8% are not U.S. citizens.
Language Spoken at Home
Among those aged 5 years and over, 75.1% of seniors in Hawaii speak only English at home, while 24.9% speak a language other than English. Out of the latter group, 15.2% report speaking English less than “very well.”
Employment Status
Among the civilian population aged 16 years and over in Hawaii, 21.6% are in the labor force. Of those in the labor force, 21.2% are employed, while 0.5% are unemployed, constituting 2.1% of the civilian labor force. The remaining 78.4% of the population is not in the labor force.
Income
In households with seniors aged 65 and over, 49.3% report earnings, with a mean income of $94,274. Furthermore, 86.5% of these households receive Social Security income, with a mean income of $24,848. A smaller percentage, 6.2%, receive Supplemental Security Income, with a mean income of $11,680. Additionally, 3.1% of households report cash public assistance income, with a mean income of $6,652, and 62.4% receive retirement income, averaging $42,994. Approximately 10.3% of these households also receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.
Poverty Status
For the population for whom poverty status is determined, comprising 289,698 individuals, 8.6% are below 100 percent of the poverty level, 5.9% fall within 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level, and the majority, 85.4%, have incomes at or above 150 percent of the poverty level.
Housing Tenure
Of the occupied housing units in Hawaii, 78.6% are owner-occupied, while the remaining 21.4% are renter-occupied. Owner-occupied units have an average household size of 2.53, whereas renter-occupied units have a slightly smaller average household size of 1.98. A small percentage, 1.4%, have no telephone service available, and 4.3% have 1.01 or more occupants per room.
Owner-Occupied Housing Units
Within the owner-occupied housing units, 73.4% report selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income that is less than 30 percent, while 26.6% have costs that exceed 30 percent. The median value of these owner-occupied units is $837,600. The median selected monthly owner costs for those with a mortgage are $2,350, while those without a mortgage have median costs of $611.
Renter-Occupied Housing Units
In contrast, among the renter-occupied housing units, 44.7% have gross rent as a percentage of household income that is less than 30 percent, with 55.3% paying 30 percent or more. The median gross rent for these units is $1,312.
Conclusion
Hawaii’s senior population is a vibrant and diverse community, contributing to the state’s unique culture and society. These individuals continue to lead active lives, whether in the workforce, supporting their families, or engaging in educational pursuits. Their economic stability, connection to their homes, and multilingual abilities highlight their adaptability and resilience.
Hawaii’s seniors are a vital part of the state’s identity, reflecting its rich cultural tapestry, commitment to education, and economic stability. The state’s efforts to provide support, housing options, and accessibility have created an environment where seniors can thrive, regardless of their backgrounds or life choices.