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The Aging of Indianapolis
Indianapolis is changing — and aging. The number of people age 65 and older is the fastest growing segment of our population. In fact, over the next forty years, this population will almost double in Marion County, increasing from 95,000 or 11 percent of the total in 2000 to 187,000 or 19.0 percent by 2040. Here are population projections by different age groups for Marion county for the next forty years from the Indiana Business Research Center:
Source: Indiana Business Research Center
What Does This Mean? We are aging not just as individuals, but as a society. Such a major shift in the age of a society has never happened before; therefore there are few experiences to guide us. Most will remain home. Well for one thing, as Hoosiers grow older, most will remain in their own homes and communities. Contrary to the common perception of massive relocation to retirement communities in sunnier climes, people aged 65-85 are the least likely of any age group to move. Importantly, the vast majority of older adults will be healthy and can expect long life expectancies. New Opportunities and Challenges. These demographic trends present new opportunities and challenges to our community. Indianapolis will have a larger population of vital, independent older residents who can be a source of substantial civic, social, and financial "capital." They can serve as volunteers and activists, board members and elected officials, funders and community leaders. This growing population must be seen as an asset to our community, and not a liability that many assume. At the same time, Indianapolis will also have to provide services to an increasing number of frail and disabled older adults, some of whom have significant health care, housing, transportation, and other needs. Indianapolis Demographic Trends Seniors will Equal School-Aged Population. For the first time in our history, in 2040, the population of seniors will equal the school-aged population, about 188,000 in each group. While seniors will almost double during this 40-year period, the school-age population in Marion county, will increase slightly in number while declining from 21 percent to 19 percent of the population. Adults 45-64 Second Fastest Growing Group. Older adults, those between the ages of 45 and 64, represent the second fastest population in Marion County, growing from 174,000 in 2000 to 225,000 in 2040. Their ranks will rise from 20 percent of the total population to almost 23 percent. Youth Groups Shrinking. The Preschool and School Age populations in Marion County will grow very slightly in number over the next four decades, but will decline as a percentage of the total population. The College age student population (20-24) will decline both in actual numbers, from 62,000 in 2000 to 58,500 in 2040, or from 7.3 percent to 5.9. Almost 730,000 More Hoosiers 65+ By 2040. Statewide, the 65 and older group will account for 63% of the state's total growth in population over the next four decades. There will be 727,000 more Hoosiers over the age of 65 in 2040 than in 2000. For the first time in the state's history, there will be more citizens older than 65 than under 15. CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions 4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46205 317-254-5465 - www.cicoa.org
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