Exploring Senior Demographics of Nebraska

Introduction

Nebraska, known for its wide expanses of prairies, vibrant cities, and friendly communities, is home to a diverse population of seniors aged 65 and over. Understanding the demographics and socio-economic characteristics of this senior demographic is crucial for both policymakers and organizations to ensure the well-being of this growing segment of the population. In this article, we will delve into the data from the American Community Survey 2022 Census, focusing on various aspects of seniors in Nebraska, including their age, gender, race, relationships, housing, income, education, veteran status, disability, and more. This information offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by Nebraska’s senior citizens.

Population (Sex And Age, Race)

The senior population in Nebraska, aged 65 and over, totals 334,897 individuals. This demographic is divided almost equally by gender, with 45.8% being male and 54.2% female. The median age among seniors in Nebraska is 73.2 years. Regarding race, 96.7% of seniors identify with a single race, with 91.2% being White, 2.4% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, and 0.5% identifying as some other race. Additionally, 3.3% of seniors identify with two or more races, and 3.8% of seniors have Hispanic or Latino origin. The majority of seniors, at 90.4%, identify as White alone, not of Hispanic or Latino origin.

Relationship

Within the senior population of Nebraska, when considering those living in households, 93.8% are either householders or spouses. A smaller percentage, 2.8%, are parents, and 1.7% are other relatives. The remaining 1.6% are nonrelatives, with 0.8% being unmarried partners.

Households By Type

Among the households in Nebraska, 51.6% are classified as family households. Out of these family households, 45.1% are married-couple families, while 4.7% are female householder families with no spouse present. The remaining 48.4% are nonfamily households, with 46.4% of these households consisting of a householder living alone.

Marital Status

For the senior population in Nebraska aged 15 and over, 59.1% are currently married, except for those separated. Additionally, 20.7% are widowed, 14.1% are divorced, 0.3% are separated, and 5.8% have never married.

Educational Attainment

Among seniors in Nebraska aged 25 and over, 7.6% have less than a high school graduate education. In contrast, 32.3% are high school graduates, GED holders, or have an alternative education. Additionally, 30.7% have attained some college or associate’s degrees, while 29.5% have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Responsibility For Grandchildren Under 18 Years

Within the senior population in Nebraska, aged 30 and over, 3.0% are living with grandchildren under 18 years old, with 0.5% of seniors being responsible for these grandchildren.

Veteran Status

Out of the civilian population in Nebraska aged 18 and over, 15.3% are classified as civilian veterans, having served in the U.S. Armed Forces at some point in their lives.

Disability Status

For the civilian noninstitutionalized population in Nebraska, 32.2% have reported having some form of disability, while 67.8% do not have a reported disability.

Residence 1 Year Ago

Among the population aged 1 year and over, 93.9% have remained in the same house, indicating stable living conditions. However, 6.0% have moved to a different house within the United States, with 3.3% remaining in the same county and 2.7% moving to a different county. In a more significant move, 1.4% have transferred to a different state within the United States, and 1.4% have moved abroad.

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

The total senior population in Nebraska includes 319,665 individuals who are native-born and 15,232 who are foreign-born. Among the foreign-born population, 16.2% entered the United States in 2010 or later, 5.6% entered from 2000 to 2009, and 78.2% entered before 2000. A large portion of the foreign-born population, at 66.3%, are naturalized U.S. citizens, while the remaining 33.7% are not U.S. citizens.

Language Spoken at Home And Ability To Speak English

Within the senior population of Nebraska, aged 5 and over, 94.6% speak only English at home, while 5.4% speak a language other than English. Out of the latter group, 2.8% speak English less than “very well.”

Employment Status

Employment status is a key factor in the lives of seniors, affecting their financial well-being and overall quality of life. In Nebraska, out of the civilian population aged 16 years and over, 21.8% are in the labor force. Among those in the labor force, 21.3% are employed, contributing to the state’s economy, while 0.5% are unemployed. The unemployment rate stands at 2.3% of the civilian labor force. The majority, 78.2%, are not in the labor force, which can be attributed to retirement, disability, or other factors.

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

Income plays a significant role in the well-being of Nebraska’s senior population. Among households, 39.5% have reported earnings, with a mean income of $63,615. This financial stability is further bolstered by other sources of income. Social Security income is received by 88.7% of households, with an average annual income of $24,573. Additionally, 4.8% of households receive Supplemental Security Income, providing an average income of $12,040. A smaller percentage, 1.3%, receive cash public assistance income, averaging $3,074. Moreover, 53.0% of households benefit from retirement income, with a mean income of $28,471. Furthermore, 6.3% of households receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.

Poverty Status in The Past 12 Months

Understanding the poverty status of Nebraska’s senior population is vital for crafting effective social support policies. Out of the population for whom poverty status is determined, 9.2% are living below 100 percent of the poverty level. Another 8.5% have income levels falling between 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level. The majority, at 82.4%, have income at or above 150 percent of the poverty level, indicating relative economic stability.

Housing Tenure

Housing tenure and living arrangements can significantly impact the quality of life for seniors. In Nebraska, occupied housing units number 211,127. Among these units, 76.6% are owner-occupied, allowing seniors to build equity and enjoy the stability of homeownership. The remaining 23.4% are renter-occupied, offering flexibility and potentially lower maintenance responsibilities. The average household size for owner-occupied units is 1.77, and for renter-occupied units, it is 1.30.

Owner-occupied housing units

Owner-occupied housing units come with various financial responsibilities and benefits. In Nebraska, 77.2% of these units have monthly owner costs of less than 30 percent of household income, providing financial security for seniors. The remaining 22.8% of owner-occupied units have monthly costs exceeding 30 percent of household income.

Owner Characteristics

The median value of owner-occupied housing units in Nebraska is $208,500. For owner-occupied units with a mortgage, the median selected monthly owner costs are $1,351. In contrast, owner-occupied units without a mortgage have lower median monthly costs, totaling $613.

Renter-occupied housing units

Renting can be a suitable option for seniors who value flexibility and reduced home maintenance. In Nebraska, 48.9% of renter-occupied units have gross rent costs of less than 30 percent of household income. Meanwhile, 51.1% of renter-occupied units have gross rent costs exceeding 30 percent of household income. The median gross rent in Nebraska is $841.

Conclusion

Nebraska’s senior population, aged 65 and over, reflects a diverse community in terms of age, gender, and race. Seniors in the state have a median age of 73.2 years, and they are almost evenly split between males and females. The majority identify as White, with significant contributions from Black, American Indian, and Asian communities. Family households, including married-couple and female householder families, account for the majority of living arrangements. The seniors’ educational attainment is diverse, with a notable portion holding bachelor’s degrees or higher.

Understanding the financial well-being of seniors is essential, as it impacts their quality of life and access to essential services. Many seniors in Nebraska have reported earnings, while Social Security income is a common source of financial support. Additionally, a percentage of seniors receive Supplemental Security Income, cash public assistance income, retirement income, and Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.

Examining housing tenure reveals that a significant portion of seniors in Nebraska own their homes, while others opt for renting, which offers flexibility. For owners, there is a wide range of costs, with some paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing. The median gross rent for renters is $841.

This information provides a comprehensive overview of the senior population in Nebraska, serving as a valuable resource for policymakers, organizations, and communities striving to enhance the well-being and quality of life for seniors in the state. Understanding the demographics, income, and housing status of seniors is crucial for tailoring support systems and services to meet their unique needs.