May is designated Older Americans Month, first established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy. To celebrate metro Atlanta’s older residents, this Friday Factday adapts the U.S. Census Bureau’s Facts for Features to share data about residents age 65 and older.
In 2015, there were 636,691 residents 65 or older living in metro Atlanta (MSA). The first chart shows the percentage of population age 65+ in metro Atlanta and comparable metro areas. In 2015, 11.2 percent of Atlanta’s population was age 65 or older, lower than the national average of 14.9 percent (2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau).
Through the Series 15 Forecast, ARC projects that the share of population age 65 and older will grow to 20.1 percent by year 2040. The pie chart shows the break down of the 2040 forecast population by age.
Veterans
123,146: The number of veterans age 65 or older living in metro Atlanta.
Jobs
112,845: The number of residents age 65 in metro Atlanta in the labor force.
Living arrangements
21.9%: The percentage of households with one or more people age 65 or older in metro Atlanta.
22.7%: The percentage of the population age 65 or older living alone in metro Atlanta.
50,367: The number of grandparents living with own grandchildren under 18 years old who are responsible for the grandchildren in metro Atlanta.
Income
8%: The percentage of population age 65 or older living in poverty in metro Atlanta.
Data source: 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau
Residents age 65 and older throughout Atlanta
This map shows the neighborhoods in metro Atlanta that have the highest densities of residents age 65 or older. In these neighborhoods, at least 25 percent of households have an individual age 65 or older. These areas are fairly spread out throughout the region, with high concentrations in suburban counties such as Spalding, Fayette, Newton, Walton, and Hall.
Source: 2010 Census data via Neighborhood Nexus
