POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

12

U.S. Population Growth

The U.S. population grew by 83 percent between 1950 and 2000. There was an 86.1 percent increase in the female population and an 80.1 percent increase in the male population over this time period. The total population is expected to grow another 47 percent by the year 2050.(1)

Since 1950, there has been a shift in the age distribution of females toward the older age cohorts, a trend that is expected to continue through 2050. In 1950, females under age 35 made up 57 percent of the female population; by 2050, it is projected that this proportion will decrease to 44 percent. Over the same period, the proportion of the female population that is aged 65 and older is expected to double from 9 percent in 1950 to 20 percent in 2050.

1 - Future population projections are derived from a base population by
looking at births, deaths, migration, and demographic components.


Growth of U.S. Population Over Time, By Sex (In Thousands): the female population rose from under 100,000 in 1950 to just over 100,000 in 2000, to an estimated 206,675 in 2050, while the male population rose from under 100,000 in 1950 to just over 100,000 in 2000, to an estimated 197,268 by the year 2050. The total population rose from approximately 150,000 in 1950 to about 300,000 in 2000, to an estimated 403,943 in 2050.

 

Growth of Female Population Over Time, by age (in thousands): 0-14 years: 1950: 19,872; 2000: 28,598; 2050 (projected): 39,010. 15-24 years: 1950: 11,181; 2000: 18,770; 2050 (projected): 25,847. 25-34 years: 1950: 12,162; 2000: 18,896; 2050 (projected): 25,438; 35-54 years: 1950: 19,551; 2000: 41,603; 2050 (projected): 48,151. 55-64 years: 1950: 6,672; 2000: 12,558; 2050(projected): 22,518. 65 years and above: 1950: 6,427; 2000: 20,362; 2050 (projected): 40,710.

 

<<Back | Next Page>>