The Future of Aging in the State of Utah (2000-2025)

(compiled by the University of Utah Gerontology Center)

Aging Profile in U.S. in 2000

• The 50 to 54 year age group experienced the largest percentage growth (55%) between 1990-2000
  
  
• The 45 to 49 age group experienced the second fastest percentage growth (45%) between 1990-2000.
  
  
• The baby boom generation entered these 2 age groups between 1990-2000.
  
  
• A baby boomer will turn 55 years old every seven seconds for the next 20 years.
  
  
• The 90 to 94 year-old group was ranked third fastest in percentage growth.
  
  
• The West region of the U.S. experienced the highest percentage increase in their older population at 20% (1990-2000).
  
  
• Approximately 35,000 people turn 65 every month in U.S. (This is enough people to fill up the U of U Rice-Eccles Stadium.) The 65 to 74 age group experienced a relative slow rate of growth 1990-2000 because this age group reflects a relative low number of births in the late 1920's and 1930's. This trend will reverse as the baby boomers (born 1946-1964) reach 65 starting in 2011 (first of boomers turned age 50 in 1996).
  
  
• The age group above 85 years old still showed a very high percentage increase (38%) between 1990-2000.

Aging Profile of Utah in 2000

• Utah has the youngest population in the U.S., but the median age has increased over the decade from 26.3 in 1990 to 27.1 in 2000. (The median age in the U.S. is 35.3.)
  
  
• Provo, Utah had the lowest median age in the U.S. with a population of 100,000 or more.
  
  
• In 2000, people aged 65+ accounted for 8.5% of the total population.
  
  
• Between 1990 to 2000 Utah gained 40,264 or 36.9% in population 65 and older. That ranked Utah 6th in U.S. for percent change.
  
  
• Utah ranked 7th in the U.S. for population 85+ years old.
  
  
• Baby boomers (people who were 36 to 54 years of age in 2000) constituted 23% of population in Utah.
  
  
• Washington County was ranked 809th (out of 3,141 counties) for percent 65 + population (15,343 or 17.0%). St. George-Zion is ranked # 5 (out of 187) as best place to retire). Washington County was ranked 13th in U.S. (1990-1998) for greatest growth rate in 65+ population. St. George-Zion was ranked 4th (out of top 15 places in U.S.) for fastest growing retirement places. Park City was ranked 3rd. Summit County ranked 8th in U.S. for percent change in population (91.6%). Washington County surpassed Cache County in total population in 2001 and become 5th in total population in Utah (note that Washington County was ranked 2nd in % growth 2000-2001). Washington County ranked 12th in U.S. for percent change in population (86.1%)
  
  
• Kane County was ranked 866th (out of 3,141 counties) for percent 65 + population (1,010 or 16.7%).
  
  
• Salt Lake City was ranked 124th (out of 245 places with 100,000 or more population) for percent population 65+ (19,921 or 11.0%). For comparison: Las Vegas 11.6%; Denver 11.3%; San Diego 10.5%; Boston 10.4%; Phoenix 8.1%.
  
  
• West Valley City was ranked 5th for lowest proportion of their population 65 years and older (5.4%); Provo was ranked 10th (5.7%).
  
  
• South Snyderville and Park City area is the Baby Boomer cluster area in Utah.
  
  
• Salt Lake County has greatest number of older adults 65+ (72,680)

Aging Profile of U.S. in 2025

• Over the next 25 years the elderly population will increase by almost 80% due to aging baby boomers.
  
  
• Boomers will begin to reach 75 in 2021 creating a dramating rise in the demand for health care.
  
  

The Future of Aging in Utah - Year 2025 (the first quarter century)

• Utah's 65+ population is expected to grow by 144% by 2025. This will rank Utah #1 in U.S. for percent increase in the 65+ age group. The Utah elderly are estimated to gain about 292,000 adults age 65+ by 2025 which will total 494,003 people over 65.
  
  
• Utah will surpass both Nevada and New Mexico in terms of total 65 + population.
  
  



• Frey (1999) stated that, "parts of the county that will see the fastest growth in their elderly populations over the next quarter century will face new challenges in providing transportation, health services and infrastructure because the populations of these regions have typically been dominated by young, not aging, populations" (p.3).
  
  
• Frey & DeVol (2000) project that the symbiotic relationship between western states (including Utah) and California will continue with western states increasingly attracting entrepreneurs, knowledge workers and the yuppie elderly to its high-amenity communities.
  
  

The Future of Aging in Utah in 2025 Critical Issues and Themes in an Aging Society

Increasing the "age-sensitivity" of social, service, and physical infrastructures within our communities.

• Transportation
• Education
• Housing
• Knowledge and awareness, access, costs for services



• Intergenerational issues
• Family caregiving
• Grandparenting
• Elder abuse



• Helping baby boomers prepare for retirement
• Pre-retirement planning
• Women's issues
• Promoting personal responsibility for health maintenance and for long-term care costs

Healthy aging

• Contribute to Utah's strong economic growth through creative use of our aging population both in workforce and in unpaid, contributory roles.
  
  
• Work and elder care issues (and family caregiving) Women's issues
  
  
• Urban and Rural issues for older adults



• Aging-in-place and in-migration issues



• Multicultural issues

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