All across the nation, the gray wave of elder Americans is rapidly becoming a predominant demographic, something that directly affects the provision of Medicare coverage. Americans 65-years-old and older, represents 40.3 million people needing to access Medicare and Medigap supplements. On average, this demographic has jumped by 15 percent since 2000, making it one of the faster growing portions of the overall population. To get an idea of the U.S. population growth as a whole, the Census Bureau shows it increased 9.7 percent from 2000 to 2010.
The fastest growth of seniors was most prevalent in the Western states, mostly in states considered to be in the famous Sun Belt. In Texas, two counties in particular, Hays and Williamson, saw a 70 percent jump in the senior population. Overall, most Texas counties noted a significant increase in the number of older Americans taking up residence.
In 2010, older Americans comprised 13 percent of the total U.S. population, which is the largest percentage ever since the beginning of the national census. It is also a 5.3 increase since the year 2000. In 1900, elder Americans made up a mere 4 percent of the nation’s population. Those born between 1946 and 1964 make up 25 percent of the Texas and U.S. populations.
According to the Census Bureau, those between the ages of 85 to 94 years are the fastest growing segment of seniors, accounting for a huge jump from 3.9 million elder Americans to 5.1 million. This represents a 30 percent gain from 2000 to 2010. Right behind this large group are those between 65 and 69-years of age, individuals who will contribute to a major uptick in the senior population in the near future. Then there are the up and coming baby boomers, expected to turn 65 soon, an age when they become eligible for Medicare and need Medigap supplements to round out their health insurance coverage.