Exploring Senior Demographics of Kentucky
Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Rachel
Introduction
Kentucky, often known as the Bluegrass State, is home to a diverse and growing population of seniors aged 65 and over. As we explore the statistics of this senior demographic, we gain insights into their characteristics and the factors that define their lives. These insights help us understand their needs and enable us to make informed decisions to support and improve the quality of life for seniors in Kentucky.
Population (Sex And Age, Race)
- Sex And Age: Kentucky’s senior population, consisting of individuals aged 65 and over, amounts to 791,113. Within this group, 44.7% are male, and 55.3% are female. The median age among seniors in Kentucky is 73.0 years.
- Race: The senior population in Kentucky is primarily composed of individuals of one race (97.6%), with 90.9% identifying as White, 5.6% as Black or African American, 0.1% as American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.7% as Asian. The majority (90.5%) is non-Hispanic White.
Relationship
- Population in Households: Among Kentucky’s senior population, 766,813 are part of households. The majority of these seniors (92.1%) are either householders or spouses, demonstrating the importance of family in their lives. Additionally, 3.4% are parents, 2.6% are other relatives, and 1.9% are nonrelatives, including unmarried partners (0.9%).
Households By Type
- Households: Kentucky has 504,387 households, with 53.1% classified as family households. Among family households, 42.4% are married-couple families, while 8.2% are female householder families without spouses present. Nonfamily households make up the remaining 46.9%, with 44.8% consisting of householders living alone.
Marital Status
- Population 15 Years and Over: Among seniors aged 15 and over, 55.2% are currently married, except separated. Widowed seniors account for 23.6%, divorced individuals make up 15.2%, separated individuals represent 1.1%, and 5.0% have never married.
Educational Attainment
- Population 25 Years and Over: Educational attainment among Kentucky seniors is diverse. 15.5% have less than a high school education, while 37.1% have a high school diploma, GED, or an alternative. Additionally, 24.9% have attended some college or hold an associate’s degree, and 22.4% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Responsibility For Grandchildren Under 18 Years
- Population 30 Years and Over: A notable 4.3% of Kentucky seniors are living with grandchildren under 18 years of age, and 2.0% are responsible for these grandchildren.
Veteran Status
- Civilian Population 18 Years and Over: In Kentucky, 13.8% of the civilian population aged 18 and over are classified as civilian veterans, highlighting the state’s historical connection to military service.
Disability Status
- Dental Grants in Colorado
- Grants for Seniors in Houston
- Exploring Senior Demographics of Arkansas
- Exploring Senior Demographics of Louisiana
- Free Medical Equipment for Seniors
- Dental Grants in Texas
- 10 Best Senior Citizen Centers
- Dental Grants in Pennsylvania
- Nutrition – Healthier Eating for Seniors
- Dental Grants in Michigan
- Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population: Among the civilian noninstitutionalized population, 39.3% have reported having some form of disability, underlining the importance of accessible healthcare and support for seniors in Kentucky.
Residence 1 Year Ago
- Population 1 Year and Over: The majority (94.1%) of Kentucky seniors remained in the same house as the previous year, highlighting the stability of this population. A small portion (5.7%) moved to a different house within the United States, with 3.0% moving within the same county and 2.8% relocating to a different county. Only 1.3% moved to a different state, indicating a preference for remaining in Kentucky.
Place Of Birth, Nativity and Citizenship Status, And Year Of Entry
- The total senior population of 791,113 is primarily native to the United States, with 775,084 individuals born within the country. A smaller portion (16,029) is foreign-born. Among the foreign-born population, 13.1% entered the U.S. in 2010 or later, 8.1% entered between 2000 and 2009, and 78.9% entered before 2000. The data shows that 75.4% have become naturalized U.S. citizens, while 24.6% are not U.S. citizens.
Language Spoken at Home And Ability To Speak English
- Among Kentucky seniors aged 5 and over, 97.7% speak only English at home. A minority (2.3%) speak a language other than English at home, with 1.1% reporting that they speak English “less than very well.”
This data provides valuable insights into the lives and needs of seniors in Kentucky, allowing policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to better understand and serve this growing population. By considering their demographics, relationships, education, and health, Kentucky can ensure that its senior residents have access to the services and support they require to age with dignity and grace in the Bluegrass State.
Employment Status
- Civilian Population 16 Years and Over: Among Kentucky’s senior population, 16.3% are part of the labor force. This includes 15.9% who are employed and 0.3% who are unemployed. Within the labor force, 2.1% are actively seeking employment.
- Not In Labor Force: A significant portion of seniors, 83.7%, are not part of the labor force, indicating their retirement or non-participation in the job market.
Income In the Past 12 Months (In 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)
- Households: In Kentucky, 33.6% of senior households reported having earnings. The mean earnings among this group were $54,916.
- With Social Security Income: An impressive 89.4% of senior households receive Social Security income, with an average income of $22,753.
- With Supplemental Security Income: 7.7% of senior households receive Supplemental Security Income, with an average income of $9,993.
- With Cash Public Assistance Income: A smaller percentage, 1.1%, receives cash public assistance income, which averages at $4,136.
- With Retirement Income: The majority of senior households, 57.1%, receive retirement income, with an average income of $27,612.
- With Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits: 8.5% of senior households receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.
Poverty Status in The Past 12 Months
- Population for Whom Poverty Status is Determined: Among the population for whom poverty status is determined, 13.1% are below 100 percent of the poverty level, while 10.5% fall within the 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level. The majority, 76.4%, are at or above 150 percent of the poverty level, indicating economic stability for the majority of Kentucky seniors.
Housing Tenure
- Owner-Occupied Housing Units: The majority of seniors, 81.3%, live in owner-occupied housing units.
- Renter-Occupied Housing Units: Renter-occupied housing units represent 18.7% of the senior population. The average household size in owner-occupied units is 1.84, while in renter-occupied units, it is 1.46.
- Selected Characteristics: A small percentage (1.0%) of seniors have no telephone service available, and 0.4% have 1.01 or more occupants per room.
- Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage Of Household Income: For owner-occupied housing units, 77.9% have selected monthly owner costs that are less than 30 percent of household income, while 22.1% have costs of 30 percent or more. The median value for owner-occupied housing units is $179,800. The median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage are $1,139, and without a mortgage, they are $446.
- Renter-Occupied Housing Units: Among renter-occupied housing units, 52.5% have gross rent as a percentage of household income that is less than 30 percent, while 47.5% have rent that exceeds 30 percent. The median gross rent for these units is $723.
Conclusion
The senior population in Kentucky is diverse in terms of employment, income, housing tenure, and poverty status. The majority of seniors in the state are not in the labor force, indicating retirement. Social Security and retirement income play a significant role in supporting these seniors. Moreover, a large portion of the senior population is economically stable, with most living above 150 percent of the poverty level. Kentucky is home to a mix of owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing, with varying associated costs. Understanding these demographics and economic factors is essential for the state to continue supporting and improving the lives of its seniors.