Demographic Profile of Senior in Wayne County, Michigan

A Demographic Profile of Seniors in PSA 1-C:
Analysis of the 60+ Population
Key Findings
While PSA 1-C’s overall population has experienced gains and losses over the last three
decades, its senior population has seen a steady, though slowing, increase. This
numerical growth translated to an increase in PSA 1-C’s share of state seniors until 1990.
Between 1990 and 2000, the region’s rate of gain did not keep pace with that of the state
and its overall share declined for the first time.
Share of State’s 60+ Population
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
1970 1980 1990 2000
While the 60+ population of the region grew by only 1.4 percent, driven in large part by
decreases in the ‘60-64 year’ and ‘65-74 year’ cohorts of 27 and 26 percent, respectively,
75-84 year olds increased their numbers by 45 percent and the ’85 years and over’ cohort
grew by 38 percent. Such an aging of the senior population signals higher degrees of
need and increased service delivery needs.
The increase in total number of seniors was accompanied by an increase in the number of
minority seniors. This resulted in both an increase in the minority share of PSA 1-C’s
overall senior population between 1990 and 2000 (5.6 to 6.7 percent) and an increase in
PSA 1-C’s share of the state’s minority population (5.2 to 5.9 percent). While African-
Americans accounted for the majority of minority seniors with 64 percent, Latinos
represented a growth group, accounting for 20 percent, as did Asians with 16 percent.
The multi-race category was new in the 2000 Census and accounted for 14 percent of
PSA 1-C’s minority senior population and 19 percent of its total population. These high
shares can be attributed largely to the area’s Middle Eastern population – primarily Arab
– who, often selected a standard race category – usually White – and added a write-in
response for the Other Race category. a
a The Wayne County summary report provides further details on the Arab and Chaldean population counts.
This group will become increasingly import for aging service delivery over the years to come. Discussions
will need to be held with the State to determine how best to account for this population in future funding
allocations.
A Demographic Profile of Seniors in PSA 1-C 1