Suburban poverty traps America's senior citizens

"The U.S. has roughly 60 million people age 65+, per Census estimates - up 34% over the past decade, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Growth is fastest in lower-density metro areas, not dense urban cores, the center found. Roughly half of seniors live in suburban-style communities, meaning even modest poverty rates translate into millions struggling outside cities. There's no single Census measure of "suburban senior poverty," meaning the problem is large and likely undercounted."

"Senior poverty has risen in more than 800 counties over the past five years. An estimated 11%-15% of seniors live in poverty - translating to roughly three million to five million older adults in suburban areas, based on an Axios analysis. Poverty growth since 2000 has been concentrated outside urban cores. The fastest-growing age group is 80+ - and they're the most likely to face high housing costs and need paid care, compounding financial strain."

"Programs like Meals on Wheels and home health care cost more to deliver in spread-out suburbs than dense cities. In 2023 ACS county data, large suburban-heavy counties already show tens of thousands of older adults in poverty. A New York county-level report found older-adult poverty surged78% in Nassau County and 48% in Suffolk County from 2012 to 2022 - two suburban Long Island counties, per the New York Post."

"Nearly 1 in 3 older households is cost burdened, meaning they spend over 30% of their income on housing. Suburban-heavy counties in Arizona, California, Florida and New York already report large populations aged 65+ that are below the poverty line. By the numbers: The U.S. has roughly 60 million people age 65+... Growth is fastest in lower-density metro areas, not dense urban cores."

The United States has about 60 million people age 65+, increasing by roughly 34% over the past decade. Growth is fastest in lower-density metro areas rather than dense urban cores, and about half of seniors live in suburban-style communities. There is no single Census measure focused on suburban senior poverty, so the scale is likely undercounted. Senior poverty has risen in more than 800 counties over the past five years, with an estimated 11% to 15% of seniors living in poverty. The 80+ age group is growing fastest and faces high housing costs and greater need for paid care. Service delivery costs are higher in spread-out suburbs, contributing to infrastructure gaps.

Read at Axios