Exploring Senior Demographics of Michigan

Introduction

Michigan, like many states, has a growing senior population aged 65 and over. The data from the American Community Survey 2022 Census offers valuable insights into the demographic, economic, and housing characteristics of seniors in the state. Understanding these statistics is vital for developing targeted policies and services to support Michigan’s aging population.

Population (Sex and Age, Race)

Michigan is home to a senior population of 1,877,562 individuals. Of this population, 54.8% are female, and 45.2% are male. The median age among seniors in the state is 73.0 years. Racially, the majority identify as one race (97.3%). Among the single-race seniors, 84.4% are White, 10.0% are Black or African American, 0.3% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% are Asian, and 0.8% fall into some other race category. Additionally, 2.7% of seniors identify as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino origin is reported by 1.9% of seniors, with 84.0% being White alone and not of Hispanic or Latino origin.

Relationship and Household Type

Out of the total senior population, 92.5% reside in households as householders or spouses. Another 2.8% are parents, 2.4% are other relatives, and 2.3% are nonrelatives. Additionally, 1.1% are in unmarried partnerships. In terms of household types, 53.6% of seniors live in family households, with 43.1% being married-couple families and 7.9% female householder families. Nonfamily households account for 46.4% of senior households, with 43.5% of seniors living alone.

Marital Status and Educational Attainment

Among those aged 15 and over, 56.2% of seniors are currently married, except separated. Widowed seniors constitute 21.1%, while 15.3% are divorced, 0.7% are separated, and 6.8% have never married. Regarding educational attainment, 9.4% of seniors aged 25 and over have less than a high school education, while 33.2% have a high school diploma, GED, or alternative. Furthermore, 30.3% have completed some college or have an associate’s degree, and 27.1% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Responsibility for Grandchildren and Veteran Status

Among seniors aged 30 and over, 3.1% are living with grandchildren, and 0.7% are responsible for their care. In terms of veteran status, 13.5% of the civilian population aged 18 and over in Michigan are veterans.

Disability Status and Residence

Within the civilian noninstitutionalized population, 31.9% of seniors report having a disability, while 68.1% do not. In terms of residence, 94.9% of seniors have remained in the same house for the past year. A small portion, 4.9%, have moved to a different house within the United States, with 2.8% staying in the same county and 2.0% relocating to a different county. Among these movers, 1.3% remained within the same state, while 0.7% ventured to a different state. Only 0.3% of seniors have relocated abroad.

Place of Birth, Nativity, Citizenship, and Language Spoken at Home

The total senior population in Michigan includes 1,753,990 native-born individuals and 123,572 foreign-born individuals. Among foreign-born seniors, 9.6% entered the U.S. in 2010 or later, 8.6% arrived between 2000 and 2009, and the majority, 81.8%, entered before 2000. Of the foreign-born population, 78.7% have become naturalized U.S. citizens, while 21.3% are not U.S. citizens.

In terms of language spoken at home, 93.4% of seniors speak only English, while 6.6% speak a language other than English. Among the latter group, 3.2% speak English less than “very well.”

Economic and Housing Characteristics

The economic and housing characteristics of seniors in Michigan provide valuable insights into their financial well-being and living conditions.

Employment Status

Among the civilian population aged 16 and over, 16.1% are in the labor force, with 15.6% employed and 0.5% unemployed. The unemployment rate stands at 2.9% among senior workers, while 83.9% are not participating in the labor force.

Income

In terms of income, 33.9% of senior households have earnings, with a mean income of $59,904. A substantial 90.0% of senior households receive Social Security income, with an average of $25,151. Additionally, 6.7% receive Supplemental Security Income, averaging $11,976. Cash public assistance income is received by 1.9% of senior households, with an average income of $3,798. Furthermore, 65.1% of senior households have retirement income, with an average of $28,653, ensuring financial stability during retirement. Food Stamp/SNAP benefits assist 10.0% of senior households.

Poverty Status

Regarding poverty status, 9.8% of Michigan seniors fall below 100% of the poverty level, while 8.5% are within 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level. The majority, 81.8%, have incomes at or above 150 percent of the poverty level.

Housing Tenure

Housing tenure is an essential aspect of seniors’ living conditions. In Michigan, 82.8% of seniors own their homes, offering housing stability. The remaining 17.2% choose to rent, providing flexibility in living arrangements. Owner-occupied units have an average household size of 1.87, while renter-occupied units have a smaller size of 1.39.

Selected characteristics, such as the availability of telephone service and the number of occupants per room, help assess living conditions. Only 0.8% of senior households lack telephone service, and 0.3% have more than one occupant per room.

Owner-Occupied and Renter-Occupied Housing Units

Within owner-occupied housing units, 76.6% of seniors spend less than 30% of their income on housing costs, ensuring affordability. The remaining 23.4% allocate 30% or more of their income to housing. The median home value for seniors is $212,600. Seniors with mortgages have a median monthly cost of $1,259, while those without mortgages pay a median cost of $551. Among renter-occupied units, 44.9% of senior renters spend less than 30% of their income on rent, while 55.1% allocate 30% or more of their income to rent. The median gross rent for senior renters is $866.

Conclusion

Comprehending the demographic, economic, and housing characteristics of seniors in Michigan is essential for tailoring policies and services to support their financial well-being, housing needs, and overall quality of life in their golden years. These insights are invaluable for creating an age-friendly environment in the state, ensuring that seniors can thrive and age gracefully in Michigan.