A Profile

Of Maine’s

Older Population

Bureau of Elder and Adult Services

Department of Human Services

 

September 2003

 

John Elias Baldacci, Governor

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Selected Characteristics of

Maine Residents Age 65 and Older

 

Except where noted otherwise, source of Profile data is U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000.

Maine Residents by County and Age

County	Total Population	Age 65+	as % of total	Age 75+	as % of total
Androscoggin	103,793	14,962	14.4%	7,590	7.3%
Aroostook	73,938	12,551	17.0%	5,740	7.8%
Cumberland	265,612	35,324	13.3%	17,725	6.7%
Franklin	29,467	4,184	14.2%	1,893	6.4%
Hancock	51,791	8,285	16.0%	3,844	7.4%
Kennebec	117,114	16,605	14.2%	7,924	6.8%
Knox	39,618	6,832	17.2%	3,455	8.7%
Lincoln	33,616	6,107	18.2%	2,886	8.6%
Oxford	54,755	8,793	16.1%	4,104	7.5%
Penobscot	144,919	18,920	13.1%	8,439	5.8%
Piscataquis	17,235	2,995	17.4%	1,449	8.4%
Sagadahoc	35,214	4,334	12.3%	2,073	5.9%
Somerset	50,888	7,278	14.3%	3,317	6.5%
Waldo	36,280	4,947	13.6%	2,190	6.0%
Washington	33,941	5,856	17.3%	2,771	8.2%
York	186,742	25,429	13.6%	11,806	6.3%
Total	1,274,923	183,402	14.4%	87,206	6.8%

 

Older Persons Living Alone

 

Ø      Of the 183,402 persons age 65 and older living in Maine, 55,483 or 30.3% live alone

Ø      Maine ranks 3rd nationwide for percentage of residents age 65+ living alone. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

Ø      Piscataquis County has the highest percentage of residents age 65 and older living alone (34% ).

Ø      Women comprise 76% of those age 65+ living alone.

 

 

 

The Older Population

 

Ø      According to the 2000 Census, there are 183,402 persons age 65 or older living in Maine. They make up 14.4% of the State’s entire population. Nationally, older adults make up 12% of the population.

Ø      In Maine, the population age 65 or older increased by 11% since 1990 and by 23% from 1980. There were 163,160 persons age 65 or older in 1990 and 140,918 in 1980.

Ø      The 2000 Census reported 87,206 persons age 75 or older living in Maine. They represented 6.7% of the State’s entire population. This is an 19% increase from the 70,926 persons age 75 or older living in Maine in 1990.

Ø      In 2000, there were 76,004 males (41%) and 107,398 females (59%) age 65 or older living in Maine. These percentages in Maine are the same as the US percentages.

Ø      In 2000, there were 31,870 (37%) males and 55,336 (63%) females age 75 or older living in Maine.

Ø      72.5% of persons age 75+ in Maine had a driver’s license in 2000. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

Ø      10.9% of persons age 70+ in Maine are without a vehicle. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

Ø      Maine ranks 49^th nationwide in percentage of minority/ethnic population age 65+. In Maine, 1.2% of the 65+ population is of minority/ethnic origin, compared to 16.4% nationwide. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

Ø      Maine ranks 15^th nationwide in percentage of residents age 65+ with Bachelor level education or higher. In Maine, 16.6% of those 65+ have a Bachelor level education or higher, compared to 14.9% nationwide. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

Income Status

 

Ø      10% of persons age 65 and older in Maine had incomes below the Federal Poverty Level*

Ø      11% of persons age 75 and older in Maine had incomes below the Federal Poverty Level

Ø      The 2000 Census identified 8,209 persons 65 to 74 years and 9,670 persons 75 years and over living in Maine as below the Federal Poverty Level.

Age 65 and Older Below Poverty

*The 2000 Census was calculated on 1999 income. In 1999, the Federal Poverty Level was $687 or less per month for a one-person household.
In 2003, the Federal Poverty Level was $748 or less per month for a one-person household.

Ø      Maine has a higher percentage of elderly “near poor.” Maine ranks 4^th nationwide for percentage of residents age 65+ between 101-200% of the Federal Poverty Level. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

 

Where do older people live?

Ø      Maine has a higher percentage of elderly living in rural areas. Maine ranks 2nd nationwide for percentage of residents age 65+ living in rural areas. In Maine 55.8% of those age 65+ live in rural areas, compared to 21.7% nationally. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

Ø      Homeownership rate for age 65+ in Maine is 79.5%. Maine ranks 25^th nationwide. (AARP Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care 2002)

Ø      Lincoln County has the highest proportion of residents age 65 or older. Next highest proportion of residents age 65 or older, in order, are the counties of Piscataquis, Washington, and Knox.

Ø      Sagadahoc County has the lowest proportion of residents age 65 or older.