Exploring Senior Demographics of New Hampshire

Introduction

The senior demographic, aged 65 and over, in New Hampshire represents a vital and diverse community contributing significantly to the state’s cultural, economic, and social dynamics. This overview delves into various aspects of their lives, ranging from population demographics and relationships to housing and economic status.

Population: Sex and Age, Race

New Hampshire’s senior population of 281,983, comprising 20.21% of the state’s total, is characterized by a slightly higher percentage of females (53.7%) than males (46.3%). The median age is 72.9 years, underlining the mature nature of this demographic. The racial composition is predominantly White (94.8%), with small percentages of Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, and Two or More Races.

Relationships and Households

Within households, 90.6% are either the householder or spouse, indicating strong family connections. Family households constitute 53.3% of total households, with a majority being married-couple families (45.9%). Nonfamily households, particularly those with the householder living alone, make up 46.7%.

Marital Status and Education

Seniors in New Hampshire exhibit varied marital statuses, with 57.1% currently married, 19.6% widowed, 17.5% divorced, 0.9% separated, and 4.9% never married. Education levels diversify, encompassing those with less than a high school diploma (6.4%) to those with a bachelor’s degree or higher (38.0%).

Responsibility and Veteran Status

A fraction of seniors (3.3%) is living with grandchildren, and 0.7% are responsible for their care. Veteran status is notable, with 16.2% being civilian veterans.

Disability, Residence, and Nativity

Among the civilian noninstitutionalized population, 29.0% report having a disability. A significant portion (94.5%) resides in the same house as the previous year. The majority (89.9%) of the foreign-born senior population entered before 2000.

Language Spoken at Home and Citizenship Status

The vast majority (92.9%) speaks only English at home, with 2.1% speaking English less than “very well.” Citizenship status reveals that 78.3% are naturalized U.S. citizens, while 21.7% are not U.S. citizens.

Employment Status

Of New Hampshire’s senior population, 22.7% is in the labor force, among which 22.2% are employed. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. The majority (77.3%) is not currently in the labor force.

Income Status

In terms of income, 42.6% of senior households report earnings, with a mean income of $75,948. Social Security is a crucial income source for 89.2% of households, providing a mean income of $26,119. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) reaches 4.7% of seniors, with a mean SSI income of $12,836.

Cash public assistance income is received by 2.4% of households, with a mean income of $2,184. Retirement income supports 60.1% of seniors, with a mean retirement income of $33,716. Food Stamp/SNAP benefits reach 5.1% of households, contributing to essential nutrition.

Poverty Status

Among those for whom poverty status is determined (272,968), 7.9% fall below 100 percent of the poverty level, 7.3% are within the range of 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level, and a substantial 84.8% are at or above 150 percent of the poverty level.

Housing Status

New Hampshire’s senior community resides in 170,789 occupied housing units, with 79.2% owning their residences. The average household size of owner-occupied units is 1.97. Renter-occupied units represent 20.8%, with an average household size of 1.47.

Key characteristics of occupied housing units include a minimal percentage (0.3%) without telephone service and an equally low percentage (0.3%) with 1.01 or more occupants per room.

In the realm of owner-occupied units, 65.8% have selected monthly owner costs less than 30 percent of household income, while 34.2% have costs exceeding this threshold. The median value of owner-occupied units is $365,000.

For renter-occupied units, 43.6% have gross rent as a percentage of household income less than 30 percent, while 56.4% have costs exceeding this threshold. The median gross rent for these units is $1,183.

Conclusion

New Hampshire’s senior population is a dynamic and diverse community contributing significantly to the state’s fabric. This comprehensive overview provides insights into their demographics, familial ties, educational achievements, and housing preferences. Policymakers and community leaders can leverage this information to design targeted initiatives that address the unique needs of New Hampshire’s senior population. By acknowledging the multifaceted nature of the senior experience, the state can continue fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for its older residents.