Profile of the Elderly

A. Pasco County

Pasco, one of the top 100 fastest growing counties in the U.S., has 134,587 persons over the age of sixty. This represents 29.9 percent of the county population. This density of 60+ population exceeds the statewide average of 22.7 percent. The Pasco County 60+ population has increased 22 percent over the past 18 years. The 85+ population accounts for 3.5 percent of the total population and 11.7 percent of the 60+ population. The 85+ population increased 32.5 percent in the last five years and is expected to double by the year 2050.The east and central portions of the county continue to grow rapidly. New Port Richey in west Pasco continues to have the largest population, with Zephyrhills in east Pasco ranked as second in total population.Rural sections of the county are found in central and east Pasco. It is estimated that 11,255 (8.4%) individuals over the age of 60 reside in the rural areas of the county. Of the total 60+ population residing in Pasco County, 8.1 percent are low income. There are 1,059 minority residents over the age of 60 who are low income. The minority elderly population represents 5.2 percent of the county's 60+ population. Concentrations of non-white elderly are primarily located in East Pasco, especially in Dade City, Trilby and Lacoochee.

B. Pinellas County

Although a small urban land mass (280 square miles), Pinellas County has the larger total population of those aged 60+ in the PSA. There are 262,991 persons aged 60+ who reside in Pinellas County, comprising 27.4 percent of the county population. The 60+ population growth has declined three percent over the past 18 years. More seniors are migrating to less congested areas of the state. The 85+ population accounts for 3.7 percent of the total population and 13.6 percent of the 60+ population. The 85+ population increased 12.8% over the last five years. Clearwater, Largo and St. Petersburg make up the greatest populated areas. Pinellas County contains the larger number of 60+ persons who are low income in the PSA, although its 8.5 percent is lower than the statewide average of 9.3 percent. The largest concentration of poor elderly live in St. Petersburg. The minority elderly population of 21,092 represents eight percent of the county's 60+ population. There are 4,494 minority residents over age 60 who are low income. Concentrations of minority elderly are primarily found in the south side of St. Petersburg and in Clearwater.

2008 Update

DOEA Projections based on U.S. Census 2000 and Office of Economic and Demographic Research
Total Florida Population Projections 2030 by county as of February 2008 and 2007 projections by county, age, race and Hispanic.