Exploring Senior Demographics of Kansas
Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Rachel
Kansas, often known as the Sunflower State, is home to a diverse senior population, aged 65 and over. The American Community Survey 2022 Census data provides valuable insights into the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of seniors in Kansas.
Population (Sex And Age, Race)
- Total Population: Kansas has a senior population of 506,342. This demographic group is slightly skewed towards females, making up 54.7% of the senior population. The median age of seniors in Kansas is 73.3 years.
- Race: Kansas seniors represent a diverse range of races. Approximately 96.1% identify with one race, with the majority (88.1%) being White. Additionally, 4.0% are Black or African American, 0.5% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% are Asian, and 1.7% identify as some other race. The state also has a small population of seniors (3.9%) who identify with two or more races. Of the senior population, 4.1% are of Hispanic or Latino origin. Those who identify as White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, make up 87.3% of seniors in Kansas.
Relationship
- Population in Households: Of the senior population, 486,555 individuals reside in households. Within this group, 93.5% are either householders or spouses. Additionally, 3.0% are parents, 1.7% are other relatives, and 1.7% are nonrelatives, which includes unmarried partners.
Households By Type
- Households: Kansas has 316,586 senior households. Among these households, 52.5% are family households, with 44.0% being married-couple families and 6.3% being female householder families with no spouse present. The remaining 47.5% are nonfamily households, with 45.3% consisting of a householder living alone.
Marital Status
- Population 15 Years and Over: Of the senior population aged 15 and over, 57.8% are currently married, except for those separated. Meanwhile, 21.7% are widowed, 14.8% are divorced, 0.6% are separated, and 5.0% have never married.
Educational Attainment
- Population 25 Years and Over: Kansas seniors exhibit varying levels of educational attainment. Among those aged 25 and over, 7.6% have less than a high school diploma, while 29.6% have a high school diploma, GED, or an alternative credential. Furthermore, 31.7% have completed some college or earned an associate’s degree, and 31.1% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Responsibility For Grandchildren Under 18 Years
- Population 30 Years and Over: A portion of seniors in Kansas is responsible for their grandchildren. Approximately 3.3% of seniors in this age group live with their grandchildren, and 0.9% are responsible for these grandchildren.
Veteran Status
- Civilian Population 18 Years and Over: Kansas has a strong tradition of military service, and this is reflected in its senior population. Among civilians aged 18 and over, 15.3% are veterans.
Disability Status
- Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population: Among Kansas seniors, 33.8% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population reports having a disability, while 66.2% do not have a disability.
Residence 1 Year Ago
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- Population 1 Year and Over: The majority of seniors (93.6%) in Kansas lived in the same house as they did a year ago. A small portion (6.2%) relocated to a different house within the United States. Among these, 3.2% remained in the same county, while 3.0% moved to a different county within the state. Another 1.7% moved to a different state, and a tiny fraction (0.2%) moved abroad.
Place Of Birth, Nativity and Citizenship Status, And Year Of Entry
- Total Population: A significant proportion of the senior population in Kansas is native-born (481,247 individuals). However, there are 25,095 foreign-born seniors, with 11.4% entering in 2010 or later, 8.7% arriving between 2000 and 2009, and 79.9% entering before 2000. Of the foreign-born seniors, 73.7% are naturalized U.S. citizens, while 26.3% are not U.S. citizens.
Language Spoken at Home And Ability To Speak English
- Population 5 Years and Over: The primary language spoken at home among seniors in Kansas is English, with 94.1% of the population using English exclusively. A smaller fraction (5.9%) speaks a language other than English at home, with 3.1% indicating that they speak English “less than very well.”
These statistics provide a comprehensive view of seniors in Kansas, their diversity, living situations, and socio-economic characteristics. It is essential to consider this data when developing policies and services to address the unique needs and contributions of Kansas’s senior population. By understanding their demographics and experiences, Kansas can ensure that its seniors continue to be active and vital members of the community.
Employment Status
- Civilian Population 16 Years and Over: Among the senior population in Kansas, consisting of individuals aged 16 and over, 20.3% are in the labor force. Within this group, 19.9% are employed, and 0.4% are unemployed. The unemployment rate for the civilian labor force is 2.1%. However, a significant portion (79.7%) of the senior population is not in the labor force.
Income In the Past 12 Months (In 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)
- Households: Of the senior households in Kansas, 38.5% have reported earnings. The mean earnings for these households amount to $61,122. Furthermore, 89.5% of senior households receive Social Security income, with an average income of $25,250. A small portion (4.8%) receives Supplemental Security Income, with a mean income of $10,521. Only 0.7% of senior households report cash public assistance income, with an average income of $3,596. The majority (59.6%) of senior households have retirement income, with an average income of $27,145. Additionally, 5.0% receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.
Poverty Status in The Past 12 Months
- Population for Whom Poverty Status is Determined: Among the senior population, 9.4% are below 100% of the poverty level, 7.4% fall within the range of 100 to 149% of the poverty level, and 83.1% are at or above 150% of the poverty level.
- Occupied Housing Units: Regarding housing, the majority (79.1%) of occupied housing units in Kansas are owner-occupied, while 20.9% are renter-occupied. Owner-occupied units have an average household size of 1.83, while renter-occupied units have an average household size of 1.42.
Selected Monthly Owner Costs as A Percentage Of Household Income In The Past 12 Months
- Owner-Occupied Housing Units: In Kansas, 77.1% of owner-occupied units have monthly costs that amount to less than 30% of household income, while 22.9% of units have costs that exceed 30%. The median value of owner-occupied units is $182,700, with a median selected monthly owner cost of $1,380 for those with a mortgage and $596 for those without a mortgage.
- Renter-Occupied Housing Units: Among renter-occupied units, 46.0% have gross rent costs that are less than 30% of household income, while 54.0% exceed this threshold. The median gross rent for these units is $899.
These statistics provide an in-depth overview of the economic and housing situations of seniors in Kansas. By understanding their income sources, employment status, and housing conditions, policymakers and community leaders can better address the needs of this senior population and work towards enhancing their quality of life and well-being.
Conclusion
Kansas is home to a diverse and vibrant senior population. The data presented here sheds light on various aspects of their lives, including demographic characteristics, economic well-being, and housing situations. By considering this information, policymakers, and community organizations can develop targeted initiatives to enhance the lives of seniors in Kansas, ensuring they have access to the support and services they need as they age gracefully in the Sunflower State.