back to resources

Snapshot of Older Adults in the U.S. and South Carolina

  • Tom Capps

  • 2/4/2026

Snapshot of Older Adults in United States and South Carolina

Our population is turning grayer each year

  1. Over 20% of the U.S. population is over the age of 65
  2. By 2060 over 25% of the population will be over 65
  3. There are more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 18
  4. In 10 years the number of people over 85 will double to 14 million
  5. 500,000 people will be over 100 years old
  6. An American turns 60 every 7 seconds
  7. Life expectancy is now 78 years and rising.
  8. 2024 Population of SC = 5,373,55519.3% over 65=1,037,096
  9. 1100 retire every week = Estimated 1.2 Million Retired Adults in SC

Ministry with Older Adults is a Great Need & Great Opportunity

Yet, there is a great challenge as well.

There are two generations of older adults.

Ministry with them is different

to top of page