top of page

An Aging State

  • Over the next two decades the proportion of the N.C. population over age 60 will dramatically increase as the baby boomers reach this milestone.

  • By 2030, almost 3 million North Carolinians will be 60 and older, more than double the number in 2000.

  • The population over age 60 will also outnumber children (under age 18) in 95 out of 100 counties.1

​Just as this demographic shift occurs, there will be a corresponding increase in the need and demand for fiscal health, physical health and social supports to ensure a sound quality of life for millions of older North Carolinians.

90% of adults age 65 and older say they hope to stay in their homes for as long as possible.2

But to do so, many people will eventually need some level of service or support to live safely and successfully in their home or community.

By 2030,1 in 5 North
Carolinians will be 65 or older.

We know that the aging of our state’s population will challenge federal entitlement programs, such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, but there is less awareness that this shift will also significantly increase demand for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), like those offered by Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs).


Because HCBS costs a fraction of the cost of institutional care options like nursing homes and skilled care facilities, bringing services to people where they live helps them save their own and government dollars, making this a more sensible approach from a fiscal and human perspective.

 

AAAs play a critical role in ensuring the development of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in every community!

For specific demographic information the on a state and individual county level - NC Division of Aging and Adult Services has the following profiles:
 

​

1 N.C. State Demographer, N.C. Population by Age (2030-2034), October 2014, http://www.osbm.state.nc.us/demog/countytotals_agegroup_2030.html.
2 AARP, A State Survey of Livability Promises and Practices, December 2011, http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/liv-com/ib190.pdf.

bottom of page