Exploring Senior Demographics of Missouri

Missouri, often referred to as the “Show-Me State,” has a diverse and growing senior population. As of the American Community Survey 2022 Census data, let’s explore various aspects of seniors’ lives in Missouri.

Introduction

Missouri, known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant communities, is home to a senior population aged 65 and over that continues to grow and evolve. Understanding the demographics and key characteristics of seniors in the state is vital for tailoring services and support to meet their needs.

Population (Sex And Age, Race)

Missouri’s senior population, aged 65 and over, consists of 1,113,136 individuals. Within this demographic, 44.5% are male, while 55.5% are female. The median age among Missouri seniors is 73.3 years, reflecting a diverse range of experiences and life stages.

In terms of race, 96.3% of Missouri seniors identify with one race. The racial composition includes 86.7% White, 7.7% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, and 0.5% Some other race. Additionally, 3.7% of seniors identify as two or more races, highlighting the state’s diverse cultural landscape.

Relationship

Among Missouri’s senior population living in households, comprising 1,071,238 individuals, 92.7% are either householders or spouses, indicating strong family and partner relationships. Moreover, 2.9% of seniors are parents, while 2.5% are other relatives, and 2.0% are nonrelatives, with 1.1% being unmarried partners.

Households By Type

In Missouri, seniors are spread across 704,499 households. Among these households, 52.9% are family households, with 43.3% classified as married-couple families and 6.9% as female householder families with no spouse present. The remaining 47.1% consist of nonfamily households, with a significant 44.5% of seniors living alone.

Marital Status

Examining the marital status of Missouri seniors aged 15 and over, we find that 55.7% are currently married, except separated. Furthermore, 22.5% are widowed, 15.7% are divorced, 0.8% are separated, and 5.3% have never been married. These marital statuses represent the diverse experiences and life paths of the state’s senior population.

Educational Attainment

Education is a crucial factor that influences the quality of life for seniors. In Missouri, among those aged 25 and over, 10.1% are less than high school graduates, 35.5% have a high school diploma, GED, or alternative, 27.7% have some college or an associate’s degree, and 26.7% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. This diversity in educational backgrounds highlights the state’s commitment to lifelong learning.

Responsibility For Grandchildren Under 18 Years

Within the population aged 30 and over, 3.5% of seniors are living with their grandchildren. Among these, 1.2% have the responsibility for their grandchildren under 18 years of age. These figures showcase the intergenerational relationships and caregiving roles within Missouri families.

Veteran Status

Missouri’s senior population aged 18 and over includes 15.8% who are civilian veterans. Their service to the nation is a testament to their dedication and sacrifice.

Disability Status

In Missouri’s civilian noninstitutionalized population of 1,076,896 individuals, 34.8% report having some form of disability, while 65.2% do not report a disability. This data is essential for understanding the healthcare and support needs of seniors in the state.

Residence 1 Year Ago

A significant 94.0% of Missouri seniors in the population aged 1 year and over have stayed in the same house, reflecting a sense of stability and attachment to their communities. A smaller 5.8% have moved to a different house within the United States. Among these movers, 3.0% have remained in the same county, while 2.8% have relocated to a different county. Additionally, 1.7% have stayed within the same state, while 1.1% have ventured to a different state. Only 0.2% have moved abroad.

Place Of Birth, Nativity and Citizenship Status, And Year Of Entry

Missouri’s senior population comprises 1,113,136 individuals. Of these, 1,079,417 are native-born residents, while 33,719 are foreign-born. Among the foreign-born seniors, 9.5% entered the U.S. in 2010 or later, 7.9% between 2000 and 2009, and the majority, 82.6%, arrived before 2000. Furthermore, 78.2% of foreign-born seniors are naturalized U.S. citizens, while 21.8% are not U.S. citizens. These details provide insights into the state’s demographic diversity and immigrant population.

Language Spoken at Home and Ability To Speak English

In Missouri’s senior population aged 5 and over, the majority, 96.5%, speak English only at home, highlighting the prevalence of English as the primary language. A smaller percentage, 3.5%, speak a language other than English at home, with 1.5% of them indicating that they speak English less than “very well.” These language statistics underscore the importance of language access and diversity in the state.

Employment Status

Understanding the employment status of seniors is essential to address their economic needs and opportunities. In Missouri, among the civilian population aged 16 years and over, 17.2% are in the labor force. Within this group, 16.7% are employed, while 0.4% are unemployed, resulting in a 2.5% unemployment rate. The majority, 82.8%, are not in the labor force, emphasizing the significance of retirement and other activities for seniors in the state.

Income in the Past 12 Months (In 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Financial security is a crucial aspect of senior well-being. In Missouri, among the 704,499 senior households, 35.6% have reported earnings. The mean earnings for this group are $58,330, reflecting a diversity of income levels within the senior population. Additionally, 89.3% of senior households receive Social Security income, with a mean income of $23,479. 6.2% receive Supplemental Security Income, averaging $10,211. A smaller percentage, 1.3%, receives cash public assistance income, with a mean income of $2,954. Moreover, 60.2% of senior households receive retirement income, and the mean retirement income is $27,998. Lastly, 7.0% of senior households receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.

Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months

Understanding poverty levels among seniors is vital for targeting assistance where it’s most needed. Among the population for whom poverty status is determined, 11.3% of seniors in Missouri are below 100 percent of the poverty level, while 8.9% fall within the range of 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level. A significant majority, 79.8%, have incomes at or above 150 percent of the poverty level, which is encouraging but doesn’t discount the need for social safety nets and support.

Housing Tenure

Safe and stable housing is a cornerstone of senior well-being. Among the occupied housing units, 78.6% are owner-occupied, and 21.4% are renter-occupied. This indicates that many seniors in Missouri own their homes, contributing to their financial stability and quality of life. The average household size of owner-occupied units is 1.89, while renter-occupied units have an average household size of 1.38.

Owner-Occupied Housing Units

Further examining owner-occupied units, 1.1% of them have no telephone service available, which can be an indicator of connectivity challenges. Only 0.4% have 1.01 or more occupants per room, illustrating that most senior households enjoy adequate living space.

Renter-Occupied Housing Units

Among renter-occupied units, 46.7% have gross rent costs that are less than 30 percent of household income, while 53.3% have costs that exceed 30 percent, which may indicate affordability challenges. The median gross rent for seniors in Missouri is $780.

These comprehensive statistics provide valuable insights into the lives of Missouri’s senior population, including their demographics, living arrangements, educational background, income, and housing. By understanding these details, policymakers, communities, and support organizations can tailor their efforts to meet the unique needs of Missouri’s seniors, ensuring a high quality of life for this growing segment of the population. As Missouri continues to be a popular destination for seniors looking to retire or age in place, these insights will be invaluable in providing the necessary care and support to this demographic.