1. North Carolina Aging Demographics
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging
Last updated October 2007

2. Population Is Getting Older
Older adults are the fastest growing segment of North Carolina’s population.
Number of elderly people (65+) in the state will more than double between 2000 and 2030, increasing from 969,000 in 2000 to million by 2030.
Number of oldest old (85+) will much more than double during this time period, increasing from 105,000 in 2000 to 258,000 in 2030.
Reasons include: natural increase (births minus deaths), increased life expectancies, and net migration into the state.
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “Past and Expected Trends.”
Last updated April 2007.
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “Past and Expected Trends.”
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

3. 65+ Population in 1990 Counties with over 15% of total population 65+
Last updated June 2001.
Statewide: 12%
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, Census 1990.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

4. 65+ Population in 2000 Counties with over 15% of total population 65+
Last updated October 2007.
Statewide: 12%
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, Census 2000.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

5. 65+ Population in 2020 Counties with over 15% of total population 65+
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “Projected County Totals – Standard Age Groups,” July 1,
Last updated October 2007.
Statewide: 15%
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “Projected County Totals – Standard Age Groups,” July 1, 2020.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

6. Population Shift in North Carolina Percent of Population by Age Group (1970-2030)
Source of data: US Census Historical Annual Time Series of State Population Estimates, ( ). North Carolina State Demographics Unit. “1990 County Census Totals by Age,” (1990). “Estimated 2000 County Totals by Age,” (2000). “Projected County Totals - Adult Age Groups,” ( ).
Last updated April 2007.
Source of data: U.S. Census Bureau and North Carolina State Demographics Unit.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

7. Life Expectancies At Birth
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “North Carolina Life Expectancies.”
Last updated April 2007.
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “North Carolina Life Expectancies.”
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

8. Life Expectancies at Age 65
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “North Carolina Life Expectancies.”
Last updated April 2007.
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “North Carolina Life Expectancies.”
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

9. How Many Years of Good Health?
Minority men and women in North Carolina don't live as long as whites, yet they have more years of poor health.
Source of data: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Disease: Notes & Reports, vol. 16, no. 2/3 (Winter/Spring/Summer 2004). p. 23.
Last updated 2005.
More current data not available as of May 2007.
Source of data: CDC, Chronic Disease Notes & Reports, vol. 16, no. 2/3 (2004).
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

10. Leading Causes of Death North Carolina Residents Age 65+ (2005)
Chronic diseases are responsible for 65% of all deaths in North Carolina. Many of the leading causes of death for North Carolinians – including heart disease and diabetes – can be prevented.
Heart Disease
Cancer
Cerebrovascular Disease
Chronic Respiratory Diseases
North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Vital Statistics, Volume 2: Leading Causes of Death – Table A: Leading Causes of Death by Age Group.
Last updated April 2007.
Alzheimer’s
Diabetes
Source of data: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Vital Statistics, Volume 2: Leading Causes of Death – Table A: Leading Causes of Death by Age Group.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

11. More Older Women North Carolina Population by Gender and Age (2005)
All Ages
Age 65+
Age 85+
Male 28.2%
Male 49.3%
Male 41%
Female 50.7%
Female 59%
Female 71.8%
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “County/State Population Estimates,” Certified 2005.
Last updated April 2007.
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “County/State Population Estimates,” Certified 2005.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

12. Racial & Ethnic Differences Composition of 65+ Population (2005 estimates)
In North Carolina:
Overall U.S.
White: 85.3%
Black: 8.3%
American Indian: .5%
Asian: 3.2%
Some Other Race: 2%
Two or More Races: .7%
Hispanic*: 6.4%
Black 15.5%
American Indian .9%
Asian .7%
NOTE: Data are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability.
Source of data: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. S0103. Population 65 Years and Over in the United States.
Last updated May 2007.
Hispanic* .8%
White 82.3%
*Note: Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race; estimates for “Some other Race” in NC is .2% and “Two or More Races” in NC is .4%. Source of data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

13. Proportion of Older Minorities
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “County/State Population Projections.”
Last updated April 2007.
Source of data: North Carolina State Demographics Unit, “County/State Population Projections.”
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

14. Educational Attainment Education Levels of Older Adults (2000)
Last updated September 2001.
More current, equally detailed data not available as of May [2005 American Community Survey provides data for only four education levels for all people and two education levels with sex differentiation.]
Source of data: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, Table PCT033.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

15. Older Adults Migrate to North Carolina
Number of adults age 60+ who lived in a different state 5 years earlier
Last updated 2005.
Source of data: data from Dr. Charles Longino; 2000 data from Internal Migration of the Older Population: 1995 to 2000 (CENSR-10).
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

16. Net Migration
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

17. North Carolina vs. Nationwide Percent of 65+ population (2005 estimates)
NOTE: Data are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability.
Source of data: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. S0103. Population 65 Years and Over in the United States.
Last updated May 2007.
Source of data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

18. Older Workers in North Carolina Percent of NC population in the labor force (2000)
Last updated October 2001.
More current, equally detailed data not available as of May [2005 American Community Survey data does not separate sexes for 65+ population.]
Source of data: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Supplementary Survey Table PCT047.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

19. Health Professionals In Short Supply
Last updated 2005.
Source: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

20. Medicaid Eligibility of Older Adults in NC
NC Division of Medical Assistance. Medicaid in North Carolina: Annual Report State Fiscal Year p. 67.
Last updated May 2007.
Source: NC Division of Medical Assistance, Medicaid in North Carolina: Annual Report State Fiscal Year 2006.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

21. North Carolina Population Pyramids (1960 & 1990)
Last updated 2000.
Source of chart: UNC Chapel Hill, School of Social Work, CARES & NC Division of Aging.
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging

22. North Carolina Population Pyramid (2020 projection)
Last updated 2000.
Source of chart: UNC Chapel Hill, School of Social Work, CARES & NC Division of Aging
Prepared by the UNC Institute on Aging