Exploring Senior Demographics of New Mexico
Introduction
New Mexico, a state characterized by its cultural richness and picturesque landscapes, boasts a dynamic senior population aged 65 and over. The American Community Survey 2022 Census data provides a comprehensive view of this demographic, shedding light on various aspects of their lives, including demographics, relationships, education, and more.
Population (Sex And Age, Race)
In the realm of demographics, New Mexico’s senior population stands at 404,784, constituting 19.15% of the state’s total inhabitants. The breakdown by gender reveals a balance, with 45.9% being male and 54.1% female. The median age of this demographic is 73.1 years, reflecting a diverse range of experiences and perspectives.
The racial composition of seniors in New Mexico is equally diverse. While 79.8% identify with a single race, including White (61.0%), Black or African American (1.4%), and American Indian and Alaska Native (5.6%), 20.2% belong to two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino origin is notable at 34.0%, with 55.0% identifying as White alone, not Hispanic or Latino.
Relationships
Within the realm of relationships among seniors, 90.4% are either householders or spouses, emphasizing the significance of familial connections. The remaining 9.6% includes parents, other relatives, and nonrelatives, with unmarried partners accounting for 1.3%.
Households By Type
Diverse household structures characterize the senior community in New Mexico. Of the 262,212 households, 52.6% are family households, with 40.1% being married-couple families and 9.0% female householders with no spouse present. Nonfamily households account for 47.4%, with 43.9% consisting of householders living alone.
Marital Status
Marital status among seniors varies, with 52.8% currently married, 19.7% widowed, 19.3% divorced, 1.2% separated, and 7.1% never married. This diversity reflects the multifaceted experiences and life paths within the senior demographic.
Education Status
Educational attainment among seniors in New Mexico spans a spectrum. Approximately 12.5% have less than a high school diploma, 25.6% are high school graduates, 30.3% have some college or an associate’s degree, and 31.6% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Responsibility For Grandchildren Under 18 Years
The role of seniors in supporting younger generations is evident, with 4.3% living with grandchildren and 1.5% being responsible for their care.
Veteran Status
The contributions of veterans within the senior community are noteworthy, with 17.1% identified as civilian veterans.
Disability Status
Examining health and wellness, 38.5% of the civilian noninstitutionalized senior population in New Mexico report having a disability, while 61.5% report no disability.
Residence Status
Residence stability is apparent, with 68.5% of seniors speaking only English at home and 31.5% using a language other than English, including 9.8% who speak English less than “very well.”
Employment Status
Within the senior population of 404,784 in New Mexico, the employment landscape unfolds, illustrating the engagement of seniors in the labor force. Of the total senior population, 17.4% are actively part of the workforce. This subset includes 17.0% employed seniors and 0.3% unemployed seniors. The percentage of the civilian labor force represented by the unemployed seniors stands at 1.9%, emphasizing a relatively low unemployment rate. However, the majority, accounting for 82.6%, are not currently in the labor force.
Income Status (Household Earnings, Social Security Income, Supplemental Security Income, Cash Public Assistance Income, Retirement Income, Food Stamp/SNAP Benefits)
Examining the economic well-being of seniors in New Mexico provides a nuanced view of income sources within households. Among the 262,212 senior households, 36.9% receive earnings, with a mean amount of $56,882. Social Security income is a prevalent source, with 87.9% of households benefiting and a mean income of $22,233. Supplemental Security Income reaches 7.2% of households, providing a mean income of $9,731. Cash public assistance income contributes to 2.5% of households, with a mean income of $2,344. Retirement income, a significant financial pillar, is received by 56.1% of households, with a mean income of $34,485. Additionally, 12.4% of senior households receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.
Poverty Status
Understanding the economic vulnerability of the senior population is crucial. Among the 400,122 seniors for whom poverty status is determined, 13.0% fall below 100 percent of the poverty level, while 9.9% are within the range of 100 to 149 percent of the poverty level. The majority, constituting 77.1%, stand at or above 150 percent of the poverty level.
Housing Status (Occupied housing units, Owner-occupied housing units, Renter-occupied housing units)
The housing landscape provides insights into the living arrangements of seniors in New Mexico. Among the 262,212 occupied housing units, 82.5% are owner-occupied, while 17.5% are renter-occupied. The average household size for owner-occupied units is 1.95, slightly larger than the average of 1.50 for renter-occupied units.
Selected Characteristics of Housing
Exploring additional housing characteristics, 1.2% of occupied units lack telephone service, and 1.0% have 1.01 or more occupants per room.
Owner-occupied Housing Characteristics
For the 216,235 owner-occupied housing units, 76.9% have selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income less than 30 percent, while 23.1% exceed this threshold. The median value of owner-occupied units is $241,000, with median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage at $1,272 and without a mortgage at $437.
Renter-occupied Housing Characteristics
Within the 45,977 renter-occupied housing units, 47.5% have gross rent as a percentage of household income less than 30 percent, while 52.5% exceed this threshold. The median gross rent for renter-occupied units is $849.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the senior population in New Mexico is a dynamic and diverse group contributing significantly to the state’s cultural and economic tapestry. The intricate web of demographics, economic factors, and housing dynamics highlighted in this data underscores the need for tailored policies and community initiatives to support the well-being and quality of life for seniors in New Mexico. As the state continues to evolve, understanding and addressing the unique needs of this population will be essential for fostering an inclusive and thriving community.
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