The number of Americans 65 and older is on the rise due to the combination of an aging baby boom generation and a decreasing death rate for older people, according to an analysis of government data.
The national population over the age of 65 more than doubled between 1980 and 2020. Two-thirds of that growth has occurred since 2000. The 65 and older group grew by more than 20.5 million people, a 59% increase, during that time.
