Exploring Senior Demographics of Illinois
Introduction
Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, is a state that exudes diversity and vibrancy, reflecting the rich tapestry of American culture. Amidst the bustling cities and picturesque landscapes of the Prairie State, Illinois is home to a growing population of seniors aged 65 and over. These senior citizens have contributed significantly to the state’s history and continue to shape its communities. In this article, we explore the demographic, economic, and housing characteristics of seniors in Illinois.
Population (Sex And Age, Race)
Illinois is home to a diverse senior population, with a total of 2,164,940 individuals aged 65 and over. Among these seniors, 44.3% are male, while 55.7% are female. The median age among Illinois seniors stands at 73.3 years.
In terms of racial composition, 94.6% of Illinois seniors identify as belonging to one race, with 74.7% being White, 11.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.0% Asian, and 3.3% falling into the category of some other race. Furthermore, 5.4% of seniors identify with two or more races. A notable 8.0% of Illinois seniors have Hispanic or Latino origin, but the majority, 73.7%, are White alone, not of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Relationship
Within households in Illinois, 91.0% of seniors fall under the category of “householder or spouse.” Additionally, 3.8% identify as parents, 3.1% as other relatives, and 2.2% as nonrelatives, with 1.2% indicating that they are unmarried partners.
Households By Type
Illinois is home to 1,362,864 households, with 52.6% being family households. Among family households, 41.7% are married-couple families, while 8.4% consist of a female householder with no spouse present. Nonfamily households make up 47.4% of the total, and a significant 44.8% of households are occupied by a householder living alone.
Marital Status
Among the senior population aged 15 and over, 54.7% are currently married, except for those who are separated. Meanwhile, 22.0% are widowed, 14.2% are divorced, 1.2% are separated, and 7.9% have never married.
Educational Attainment
In the context of educational attainment, Illinois seniors aged 25 and over exhibit a diverse range of achievements. Approximately 11.8% have less than a high school diploma, 31.1% are high school graduates, GED holders, or have an alternative degree, 27.1% have completed some college or hold an associate’s degree, and 30.0% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Responsibility For Grandchildren Under 18 Years
A notable 4.4% of seniors in Illinois are living with grandchildren under the age of 18, with 1.0% being responsible for the care of these grandchildren.
Veteran Status
Illinois is home to 11.4% civilian veterans among its population aged 18 and over.
Disability Status
Within the civilian noninstitutionalized population of Illinois seniors, 31.9% report having some form of disability, while 68.1% do not have a disability.
Residence 1 Year Ago
The vast majority of seniors in Illinois, a significant 94.7%, remain in the same house as they did one year ago. A smaller percentage, 5.1%, moved to a different house within the United States. This migration consisted of 3.2% relocating within the same county and 1.9% moving to a different county. Among those who relocated, 1.2% moved within the same state, and 0.7% moved to a different state. Only 0.2% of seniors moved abroad.
Place Of Birth, Nativity and Citizenship Status, And Year Of Entry
Illinois is home to a diverse population, with 1,823,015 seniors being native-born and 341,925 being foreign-born. Among the foreign-born seniors, 5.8% entered the U.S. in 2010 or later, 7.2% arrived from 2000 to 2009, and 87.1% entered the U.S. before 2000. The majority, 79.2%, are naturalized U.S. citizens, while 20.8% are not U.S. citizens.
Language Spoken at Home And Ability To Speak English
Among the senior population aged 5 and over, 83.2% speak English only at home, while 16.8% speak a language other than English. Of those who speak a language other than English at home, 9.9% speak English less than “very well.”
In conclusion, the senior population in Illinois is diverse, reflecting various racial, educational, and cultural backgrounds. As these seniors continue to shape the state’s communities, understanding their characteristics and needs becomes vital for the development of policies and services tailored to enhance their quality of life.
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