Citation

Graff TO, Wiseman RF. Geogr. Rev. 1978; 68(4): 379-393.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, American Geographical Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The spatial distribution of persons aged 65 and older in the United States is examined for 1950 and 1970. A descriptive analysis is undertaken of maps depicting the county concentration of elderly people relative to total country population. The national pattern of local concentration is found to vary considerably between the two time periods. A westward shift of the region of highest concentration is clearly observable and apparently mirrors earlier settlement patterns. The demographic processes that produce these patterns are discussed, with special attention devoted to the recent growth of retirement communities. Changes in the patterns result primarily from aging-in-place, which is often coupled with out-migration of younger cohorts. The study concludes with speculations on the future geographical distribution of concentrations of older Americans.

Language: en