Baby Boomer Statistics--Direct Marketing, Mail Order, E-commerce News

Direct Marketing, Mail Order, and E-commerce News from the National Mail Order Association

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Oldest Baby Boomers Turn 60!

In 2006, the oldest of the baby boomers, the generation born between 1946
and 1964, will turn 60 years old. Among the Americans celebrating their
60th will be our two most recent presidents, George W. Bush and Bill
Clinton. Other well-known celebrities reaching this milestone include Cher,
Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton.

To commemorate this occasion, the 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/

James & Mary
The most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 1946.
Today, the names Jacob and Emily lead the list; James ranks 17th among
boys and Mary is 63rd among girls. (Source: Social Security Administration,
at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html

50.8%
Percentage of women baby boomers in 2005.
http://www.census.gov/popest/national/

9.1 million
Estimated number of baby boomers in 2004 who were black.
http://www.census.gov/popest/national/

32%
Proportion of Alaska’s population that was part of the baby boom
generation, as of the last census. Baby boomers also comprised 30 percent
or more of the population in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. In contrast,
Utah (23 percent) was the only state where baby boomers constituted less
than 25 percent. http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-12.pdf

Then and Now
141.4 million
Estimated U.S. population in 1946. Today, the nation’s population stands at
297.7 million.
http://www.census.gov/popest/archives/1990s/popclockest.txt and
www.census.gov

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

Staying Young and Fit
27,813
Number of fitness and recreation centers nationwide in 2003. These are good
places to visit on a regular basis for boomers who are trying to become or
stay physically fit. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html

11,938
Number of cosmetics, beauty supply and perfume stores in 2003. These stores
carry numerous antiaging skin care products aimed at people in this age
group. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html

“Special Editions” of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Facts for Features are
issued to provide background information for less known observances,
anniversaries of historic events and other timely topics in the news.

Editor’s note: Some of the preceding data were collected from a variety of
sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of
error.

Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public
Information Office at (301) 763-3030; fax (301) 457-3670; or e-mail
pio@census.gov