2006 State Report > Who We Are > Population by Age
Who We Are: Population by Age
According to population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 520,392 people aged 65 and over in South Carolina in 2004, comprising 12.4 percent of the total population. There were 59,451 people aged 85 and older, who made up 1.4 percent of the state's total population.
| Age Group | 2000 Census Population | July 1, 2004 Population Estimate | % of Total 2004 Population | % Change 2000-2004 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Years and Over | 1,120,787 | 1,255,360 | 29.9 | 12.0 |
| 60 Years and Over | 651,482 | 718,375 | 17.1 | 10.3 |
| 65 Years and Over | 485,333 | 520,392 | 12.4 | 7.2 |
| 75 Years and Over | 215,285 | 234,692 | 5.6 | 9.0 |
| 85 Years and Over | 50,269 | 59,451 | 1.4 | 18.3 |
Source: Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau.
According to Census Bureau projections, the percentage of South Carolinians who are aged 65 and over will increase dramatically by the year 2030. In the 2000 Census, 12.1 percent of the population was aged 65 and older. By 2010, the 65 and older population will make up 13.6 of South Carolina's population. By 2030 they are projected to make up 22.0 percent of the population – a 133.7 percent increase from 2000. South Carolina is projected to rank 15th in the nation in 2030 for highest percentage of the population aged 65 and older.
South Carolina 65+ Population as a Percent of Total Population: 1990-2030
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1990-2000. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Interim State Population Projections, 2005.
Another indication of the aging of South Carolina's population is the increase in median age. The median age divides the population's age distribution into two equal parts, with one-half of the population falling below the median value and one-half above the median value. In 1950, the median age in South Carolina was 23.6. By 2000, the median age had increased to 35.4. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age was even higher in 2004, growing to 36.9. The median age for the United States in 2004 was 36.2, making South Carolina's residents slightly older than the national average.
Median Age in South Carolina 1950-2004
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.