Exploring Senior Demographics of Washington

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Rachel

Introduction

Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Washington State is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, diverse communities, and vibrant urban centers. As we explore the American Community Survey 2022 Census data on seniors aged 65 and over in Washington, we gain insights into the demographic richness and the various dimensions of the lives of the senior population in this dynamic state.

Population (Sex and Age, Race)

Washington is home to a total population of 7,785,786, with seniors aged 65 and over comprising a significant portion at 1,309,142. This translates to a senior population percentage of 16.81%. The gender distribution among seniors shows 45.7% male and 54.3% female, with a median age of 73.1 years. The racial composition of the senior population in Washington is diverse, with 94.7% identifying with one race and 5.3% with two or more races. The breakdown includes:

• White: 82.3%
• Black or African American: 2.2%
• American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8%
• Asian: 7.2%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.3%
• Some other race: 1.9% Additionally, 4.1% of seniors identify as Hispanic or Latino origin, and 81.8% are White alone, not Hispanic or Latino.

Relationship

Within households, the senior population in Washington is distributed across various relationships, with 89.5% being either householders or spouses. Other relationships include parents (4.2%), other relatives (3.2%), and nonrelatives (3.1%), with unmarried partners accounting for 1.3%.

Households

Washington has 790,125 households, with 54.5% being family households. Among family households, 46.0% are married-couple families, while 6.2% are female householders with no spouse present. Nonfamily households constitute 45.5%, with 41.2% being households where the householder lives alone.

Marital Status

The marital status of seniors in Washington showcases a range of life experiences:

• Now married, except separated: 58.4%
• Widowed: 18.8%
• Divorced: 16.1%
• Separated: 1.0%
• Never married: 5.6%

Education Status

Educational attainment among seniors in Washington is varied, contributing to a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives:

• Less than high school graduate: 7.2%
• High school graduate, GED, or alternative: 22.8%
• Some college or associate’s degree: 34.6%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 35.5%

Responsibility for Grandchildren Under 18 Years

A noteworthy aspect of senior life is their role in caring for grandchildren. In Washington, 4.3% of seniors live with their grandchildren, and 0.8% are responsible for their grandchildren.

Veteran Status

Washington is proud to have a civilian veteran population of 16.9%, reflecting the state’s historical ties to military service.

Disability Status

Among the civilian noninstitutionalized population aged 65 and over, 33.8% report having a disability, while 66.2% indicate no disability.

Language Status

The language landscape in senior households is predominantly English, with 87.9% speaking only English at home. However, 12.1% of seniors in Washington converse in a language other than English, and 7.2% of them speak English less than “very well.”

In this snapshot of Washington’s senior demographic, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the population’s composition, relationships, living arrangements, and various other aspects that contribute to the rich tapestry of the state.

Employment Status

As we continue our exploration of Washington’s senior population, we turn our attention to their employment status. Of the 1,309,142 seniors, 17.7% are in the labor force. Within this group, 17.2% are employed, showcasing the active participation of seniors in the workforce. A small percentage, 0.4%, is unemployed, with 2.3% of the civilian labor force being represented by these individuals. The majority, 82.3%, is not in the labor force, reflecting various retirement and lifestyle choices.

Income Status

Households

Among the 790,125 households in Washington, 36.7% have earnings, with a mean income of $77,851. A significant portion, 87.3%, receives Social Security income, averaging $25,880. Additionally, 6.7% receive Supplemental Security Income, with an average of $11,540. A smaller percentage, 2.7%, receives cash public assistance income, averaging $3,802. A substantial 62.7% of households receive retirement income, with a mean of $35,764. Furthermore, 9.9% receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits, highlighting the diverse income sources for seniors.

Poverty Status

Determining the poverty status for 1,286,330 seniors, the data shows that 9.3% fall below 100 percent of the poverty level, 6.5% are in the range of 100 to 149 percent, and the majority, 84.2%, are at or above 150 percent of the poverty level.

Housing Status

Occupied Housing Units

Washington is home to 790,125 occupied housing units, with 78.7% being owner-occupied and 21.3% renter-occupied. The average household size in owner-occupied units is 1.95, while in renter-occupied units, it is slightly smaller at 1.46.

Selected Characteristics

Several selected characteristics of housing units include a minimal 1.0% with no telephone service available and 0.7% having 1.01 or more occupants per room.

Owner-occupied Housing Units

Of the 621,484 owner-occupied housing units, 71.3% have selected monthly costs of less than 30 percent of household income, while 28.7% have costs of 30 percent or more. The median value of owner-occupied units is $520,200, with median selected monthly costs with a mortgage at $1,811 and without a mortgage at $703.

Renter-occupied Housing Units

In the 168,641 renter-occupied units, 40.4% have gross rent as a percentage of household income less than 30 percent, and 59.6% have 30 percent or more. The median gross rent is $1,260.

Conclusion

Washington’s senior population paints a vivid picture of a diverse and dynamic community. From demographics and relationships to employment, income, and housing, the comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the lives of seniors in the Evergreen State. The data indicates active participation in the workforce, diverse income sources, and varying housing arrangements.

As we conclude this exploration, we recognize the resilience and vibrancy of Washington’s seniors, contributing to the rich tapestry of the state. Stay tuned for a final part where we will synthesize both parts to provide a holistic understanding of the Senior Statistics of Washington.