In an analysis of census estimates released in December 2020, Brookings finds that between 2010 and 2020, the number of people over age 55 grew by 27%, which is 20 times larger than the growth rate of the collective population under 55 (1.3%).

The largest driver of this trend is the baby boomer generation, who passed the age of 65 during the past decade, increasing the size of the 65- to 74-year-old age group by a half.

The “aging in place” of the baby boomer generation, according to Brookings, will lead to growth in the 55-and-older population in “all states, metro areas and most counties.”

For more information and detail, see the Brookings analysis here.