Exploring Senior Demographics of Indiana
Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Rachel
Introduction
Indiana, known for its rich history and diverse landscapes, is home to a significant senior population aged 65 and over. The state’s seniors contribute to the social fabric and bring with them a wealth of experiences. This article delves into various aspects of the senior population in Indiana, including demographics, living arrangements, and socio-economic factors.
Population
Sex and Age: Indiana’s senior population, comprising individuals aged 65 and over, totals 1,157,426. This group is fairly balanced in terms of gender, with 44.5% being male and 55.5% female. The median age among Indiana seniors is 73.2 years, reflecting the state’s diverse and aging population.
Race: The majority of Indiana seniors identify as belonging to a single race, with 97.1% falling into this category. Among these seniors, 88.4% are White, 6.3% are Black or African American, 0.1% are American Indian and Alaska Native, and 1.1% are Asian. A smaller percentage of 1.1% identifies as Some other race. Additionally, 2.9% of Indiana seniors represent two or more races, reflecting the state’s racial diversity.
Hispanic or Latino Origin: 2.5% of seniors identify as Hispanic or Latino origin of any race, while 87.9% are White alone, not Hispanic or Latino.
Relationship
Within the population of Indiana seniors living in households, which amounts to 1,114,058, 92.5% are either the householder or the spouse. Furthermore, 3.1% are parents, and 2.4% are other relatives. The data shows that 1.9% of Indiana seniors have nonrelatives in their households, and 1.1% have unmarried partners, emphasizing the various living arrangements in this age group.
Households By Type
Out of the 724,077 households in Indiana, 54.1% are family households. Of these, 44.4% are married-couple families, while 7.0% are female householder families with no spouse present. The remaining 45.9% are nonfamily households, and 43.4% of households consist of individuals living alone.
Marital Status
Among Indiana seniors aged 15 and over, 57.0% are currently married, except separated, reflecting the importance of marriage in the lives of many seniors. Furthermore, 21.6% are widowed, 15.3% are divorced, 0.7% are separated, and 5.4% have never married, reflecting diverse marital experiences.
Educational Attainment
Indiana seniors aged 25 and over have varying educational backgrounds. About 10.5% of this population have less than a high school education, while 39.9% have a high school diploma, GED, or alternative. Another 25.7% have completed some college or earned an associate’s degree, and 23.9% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. This diversity in educational attainment reflects the lifelong learning experiences of seniors in Indiana.
Responsibility For Grandchildren Under 18 Years
Among Indiana seniors aged 30 and over, 3.7% are living with their grandchildren, and 1.2% are responsible for their care, highlighting the crucial role that seniors play in supporting their extended families.
Veteran Status
In Indiana, among civilians aged 18 and over, 14.1% are veterans, reflecting the state’s historical significance as a hub for military service.
Disability Status
Within the civilian noninstitutionalized population, 33.5% of Indiana seniors report having a disability, while 66.5% do not, emphasizing the importance of healthcare and support services for this population.
Residence 1 Year Ago
The vast majority of seniors in Indiana (94.5%) have remained in the same house for the past year, highlighting the stability and attachment to their communities. A smaller percentage (5.2%) have moved to different homes within the United States, with 3.1% relocating within the same county and 2.1% moving to a different county. A very limited percentage (0.3%) has moved abroad.
Place Of Birth, Nativity and Citizenship Status, And Year Of Entry
Out of the total senior population, 1,113,617 are native-born, while 43,809 are foreign-born. Among the foreign-born seniors, 11.3% entered the United States in 2010 or later, 10.0% entered from 2000 to 2009, and 78.8% entered before 2000. A significant percentage of foreign-born seniors, 72.3%, are naturalized U.S. citizens, while 27.7% are not U.S. citizens, reflecting Indiana’s attraction to immigrants from various backgrounds.
Language Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English
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Among Indiana seniors aged 5 and over, 95.4% speak only English at home, while 4.6% speak a language other than English. Of those who speak languages other than English at home, 1.9% speak English less than “very well,” reflecting the state’s linguistic diversity.
Understanding the demographics, relationships, and socio-economic factors of seniors in Indiana is crucial for ensuring that the state continues to provide necessary support and services to its aging population, preserving the well-being and diverse experiences of this vital group.
Employment Status
In Labor Force: Among the civilian population aged 16 and over in Indiana, 18.0% are in the labor force, indicating that seniors continue to participate actively in the workforce. Out of those in the labor force, 17.6% are employed, while 0.4% are unemployed. This underlines the importance of job opportunities for seniors, enabling them to contribute to the economy and society. The percentage of unemployment in the civilian labor force is 2.0%.
Not in Labor Force: The majority, 82.0%, of the senior population in Indiana is not in the labor force, which may include retirees and individuals engaged in various other activities.
Income in the Past 12 Months (In 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)
Households: In terms of household income, 36.2% of households with seniors in Indiana reported earnings. The mean earnings among these households amount to $57,653. This income plays a significant role in seniors’ financial well-being, allowing them to support their lifestyles and potentially save for the future.
Social Security Income: A substantial 90.6% of senior households receive Social Security income, with a mean income of $25,047. Social Security serves as a crucial financial safety net for seniors in Indiana.
Supplemental Security Income: Additionally, 6.2% of senior households receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with a mean income of $12,186. SSI provides extra support to seniors with limited income and resources.
Cash Public Assistance Income: 1.2% of senior households receive cash public assistance income, with a mean income of $2,948, reflecting the presence of a social safety net for those in need.
Retirement Income: Retirement income is essential for many seniors in Indiana, with 62.1% of households receiving it. The mean retirement income is $25,115, supporting their post-retirement life.
Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits: 6.2% of senior households receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits, helping ensure access to necessary nutrition.
Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months
Among the population for whom poverty status is determined (1,116,833), 9.6% fall below 100 percent of the poverty level, 8.3% are within the range of 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level, while the majority, 82.2%, have income at or above 150 percent of the poverty level. These statistics reflect the economic well-being of Indiana’s senior population, with the majority maintaining financial stability.
Housing Tenure
The tenure of housing for seniors in Indiana is characterized by an 82.2% ownership rate and a 17.8% rental rate. The average household size of owner-occupied units is 1.87, while for renter-occupied units, it is slightly larger at 1.49.
Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage Of Household Income In the Past 12 Months
Concerning owner-occupied housing units, 78.3% of these units have monthly costs that are less than 30 percent of household income, indicating that many seniors in Indiana are able to manage their housing expenses comfortably. In contrast, 21.7% of these units have costs that represent 30 percent or more of household income.
Gross Rent as a Percentage Of Household Income In the Past 12 Months
For renter-occupied housing units, 46.3% have gross rents that are less than 30 percent of household income, while 53.7% have gross rents representing 30 percent or more of household income. These figures shed light on the affordability of rental housing for seniors in Indiana.
Gross Rent
The median gross rent for senior renters in Indiana is $840, offering insight into the typical rental costs for this group.
Conclusion
Understanding the comprehensive demographics, relationships, economic, and housing aspects of seniors in Indiana is essential for policymakers, social service providers, and the community to meet the specific needs of this aging population effectively. These statistics not only provide a snapshot of the senior demographic in Indiana but also serve as a valuable resource for planning and implementing programs and services to enhance their quality of life, health, and financial security. Indiana’s seniors continue to play an active and essential role in the state’s social and economic landscape, contributing to its diverse and vibrant communities.