Oldest Baby Boomers Turn 60!
In 2007, the oldest of the baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, continue to turn 60 years old. Among the Americans celebrating their 60th birthday this year are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnny Bench, Glenn Close, Billy Crystal, Hillary Clinton, Farrah Fawcett, David Letterman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Darrell Waltrip, and 31 Members of Congress.
The U.S. Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts relating to, perhaps, our most celebrated generation:
78.2 million
Estimated number of baby boomers, as of July 1, 2005.
http://www.census.gov/popest/national/
7,918
Number of people turning 60 each day in 2006, according to projections. That amounts to 330 every hour.
http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/
Then and Now
James & Linda
The most popular baby names 60 years ago, in 1947.
Today, the names Jacob and Emily lead the list. James now ranks 16th among boys; and Linda now ranks 462nd among girls.
(Source: Social Security Administration, at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html)
144 million
Estimated U.S. population in 1947.
Today, the nation's population stands at an estimated 302 million.
http://www.census.gov/popest/national/tables/NA-EST2006-01.xls
33% and 5%
The proportions of adults age 25 and older with at least a high school diploma and at least a bachelor's degree, respectively, in 1947. By 2004, the respective proportions had risen to 85 percent and 28 percent.
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/educ-attn.html
The Future
$2,695
Average annual expenditures on health care in 2004 for people ages 45 to 54 - the age group that is the heart of the baby boom generation. When budgeting medical expenses, baby boomers should expect increased health-care spending as they age; for instance, those age 55 to 64 spent $3,262 and those 65 and over, $3,899. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/cex/2004/Standard/age.pdf
57.8 million
Number of baby boomers living in 2030, according to projections; 54.9 percent would be female. That year, boomers would be between ages 66 and 84. http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj
2.1
The number of workers for each Social Security beneficiary in 2031, when all baby boomers will be over age 65. Currently, there are 3.3 workers for each Social Security beneficiary. (Source: Social Security Administration, at http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact.htm
4,041
Number of continuing care retirement facilities in 2003. Many boomers could have parents in need of such facilities or may have to move into such a facility themselves in the future. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
http://www.sec.gov/spotlight/seniors/oldestboomers2007.htm
