EMBARGOED UNTIL: MARCH 14, 1996 (THURSDAY) Public Information Office CB96-36 301-457-3030 301-457-4067 Gregory Spencer 301-457-2428 THE NATION'S FIFTY-SOMETHING POPULATION PROJECTED TO GROW BY 50 PERCENT DURING NEXT DECADE, CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS EMBARGOED UNTIL: MARCH 14, 1996 (THURSDAY) As the first members of the nation's baby boomers reach 50 years of age this year, the number of persons living in the United States who are 50 to 59 years old is projected to increase by 50 percent between 1996 and 2006. This is according to a new report entitled, "Population Projections of the United States by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1995-2050" (P25-1130), released today by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. In the next 10 years, America's 50-something population is projected to expand by 12 million persons, rising from 25.3 million in 1996 to 37.7 million in 2006. This growth would represent more than half the nation's total population increase during the decade. "During the next 10 to 15 years, the rate of population growth of the 65 and over population is projected to be slower than at any previous time this century," Census Bureau analyst Gregory Spencer says. However, in the following 20 years, this population group is projected to grow by 76 percent (from 39.4 million in 2010 to 69.4 million in 2030) as baby boomers move into the 65 and over age group. The nation's total population is projected to reach 275 million by 2000, a growth of 4.5 percent since 1995, making it the slowest growth period since the 1930s. Population growth is anticipated to be stable, at a slightly lower level, from 2000 to 2025. After 2025, the U.S. would grow more slowly than ever before in its history. Other findings: - Each year from 1997 to 2050 more than half of America's population growth will occur among the nation's Hispanic and Asian and Pacific Islander populations. - After 2011, the number of births each year is projected to exceed the highest annual number of births ever achieved in the U.S. during the 20th century. - Four of every 10 people added to the population through net immigration from 1995 to 2050 would be Hispanic, three in 10 would be Asian and Pacific Islander, two in 10 would be non-Hispanic White, and one in 10 would be African American.-X-Editor's note: media representatives may obtain a copy of the report from the Census Bureau's Public Information Office on 301-457-3030; fax: 301-457-3670; or e-mail: pio@census.gov. Other orders should be directed to the bureau's FastFax on 1-900-555-2Fax (there is a nominal fee); Customer Services Office on 301-763-INFO(4636) or fax: 301-457-3842.
