30 Baby Boomer Statistics: Insightful Facts to Know

The Baby Boom was a 19-year period after the Second World War when 76 million babies were born in the United States ⁽¹⁾.

For the 35 years before the Baby Boom, the annual number of births was less than three million (except on two occasions) ⁽²⁾. But since the start of the Baby Boom, there have consistently been more than three million births per year. These babies are called ‘Baby Boomers’.

If you’re interested in learning more about Baby Boomers — often referred to as Boomers — we have compiled 30 incredible facts. We’re covering the Baby Boomer population, healthcare, workforce facts, and much more.

Keep reading for 30 insightful Baby Boomer statistics and facts you never knew.

What Is a Baby Boomer?

The definition of a Baby Boomer — usually called a ‘Boomer’ — is a person who was born between 1946 and 1964. During this 19-year period, 76 million babies were born in the U.S.

This portion of the population made up the largest generation in U.S. history until the millennial generation.

As of 2023, Boomers are anybody between the age range of 59 and 77.

30 Baby Boomer Statistics and Facts

Keen to know more about the Baby Boomer years, statistics, and facts? Check out these 30 eye-opening percentages, trends, and data, covering their cultural impact, demographics, and life expectancy.

Baby Boomer Population and Demographics

Explore the diverse demographic landscape of the Baby Boomer generation, from population size to ethnic composition.

1. The number of Baby Boomers: During the Baby Boom, 76 million babies were born in the U.S. As of 2019, the Baby Boomers’ population was 71.6 million ⁽³⁾. The influx of immigrants exceeds the death rate of U.S. baby boomers, resulting in this age range comprising 22 percent of the population.
2. Percentage of white Baby Boomers: In 2012, 81.5 percent of Baby Boomers were white alone ⁽⁴⁾. By 2060, this is expected to gradually decrease to 80.4 percent.
3. Percentage of Black Baby Boomers: In 2012, 11.7 percent of Baby Boomers were Black alone. This is expected to decrease to 11.6 by 2060.
4. Percentage of the remaining races: In 2012, almost one percent of Baby Boomers were American Indian and Alaska Native alone. 4.6 percent were Asian alone; 0.16 percent were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone; 1.14 percent were mixed race.
5. Where Baby Boomers were born: Although 76 million babies were born in the U.S. during the Baby Boom, ‘Boomers’ are now considered anyone in the U.S. who was born during that period, even if they were born elsewhere. Almost 20 percent of Boomers in the U.S.A. were born outside the country ⁽⁵⁾.
6. Evangelical Protestant Baby Boomers: Official stats and graphs show that Evangelical Protestant is the most popular religious tradition among Boomers ⁽⁶⁾. Out of a sample study of over 12,000 people, 27 percent said they were Evangelical Protestant. Eighty-two percent of these people were white, five percent were Black, one percent were Asian, one percent were Latino, and five percent were mixed or another race.
7. Religion among Baby Boomers: In the same study mentioned above, the next most popular religious tradition was Catholicism, with 23 percent of people identifying with it. Sixty-seven percent of Catholics are white, and 26 percent are Latino. The next most popular was Mainline Protestant, with 19.5 percent identifying with it. Ninety percent were White, three percent were Black, Latino, and Other, and one percent was Asian.
8. More female Baby Boomers: As of 2006, 50.9 percent of Boomers were female ⁽⁷⁾. This is expected to increase to 54.9 percent by 2030. However, in 1970, 50.3 percent of the generation was male.

Boomer Healthcare and Life Expectancy

Let’s delve into the research on Boomers’ healthcare, including their life expectancy and common health concerns.

1. Estimated cost of healthcare: By 2030, when the Boomer generation is between 66 and 84 years old, it’s estimated that Medicare’s annual acute care costs will be about 260 billion dollars ⁽⁸⁾. This is expected to cover 69.7 million people.
2. What taxes will cover: It’s estimated that taxes will cover only over 48 percent of health care costs associated with those of retirement age.
3. What Boomers can expect to pay: By the age of retirement, a Boomer couple should expect to pay around $275,000 on health care until the end of their life. This doesn’t include nursing care or rehabilitation. There’s a 50 percent chance that Boomers will not be able to afford health care.
4. Common health care concerns: The aging population is at higher risk of obesity, arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and some cancers ⁽⁹⁾.
5. Preparing for nursing homes: In 2002, it was reported that 42 percent of people who reached the age of 70 will spend time in a nursing home at some point before they die.
6. Life expectancy: Baby Boomers have a life expectancy of 79 years ⁽¹⁰⁾. While they live longer than generations before, they are at increased risk for disability, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
7. Boomers intake more medications: Individuals aged 55 to 64 are 29 percent more likely to take anti-diabetic medication and 54 percent more likely to take cholesterol-lowering drugs than ever before.
8. Boomers with chronic conditions: About four million seniors have six or more chronic conditions. Boomers only comprise 15 percent of this group, but they use more than 41 percent of the billions of dollars spent on Medicare year by year.

Workforce and Retirement Facts

Discover how Baby Boomers have impacted the workforce and their unique approach to retirement and life post-career.

1. Boomers can expect a longer retirement: Boomers can typically enjoy retirement from age 65, but with a longer life expectancy, they are getting a longer retirement period than any generation before ⁽¹¹⁾.
2. Lack of traditional pension: While Boomers were in the workforce, the traditional defined-benefit pensions aged out, and the defined-contribution plans, such as a 401(k), aged in. As a result, only about 58 percent of Baby Boomers have a retirement account.
3. Relying on Social Security benefits: About 41 percent of Boomers expect Social Security benefits to be their main source of retirement money. However, the Social Security trust fund is expected to run out of money in 2033. This means income from the current workforce will only cover 77 percent of current retirement benefits.
4. Change in workforce numbers: In 1955, there were 8.6 active workers for every retired person. As of 2022, there were only 2.8 active workers for every retired person. This is due to people having a longer life expectancy.
5. Many Boomers continue to work: While Boomers can enjoy a longer retirement, many of them don’t. In 2018, 29 percent of Boomers aged 65 to 72 had a job or were looking for one ⁽¹²⁾. This is compared to 21 percent of the Silent Generation and 19 percent of the Greatest Generation.
6. Baby Boomer characteristics in the workplace: Forbes reported that Baby Boomers have a distinctive work ethic and like getting the job done ⁽¹³⁾. They are more concerned about improving their work ethic than Gen X and Millennials. Their work/life balance tends to lean a little heavier on the work side than other generations.
7. Worry about comfortable retirement: Only one-quarter of Baby Boomers are confident they will retire comfortably. About 50 percent expect to work past 70 or do not plan to retire at all.

Cultural Impact and Legacy of Boomers

Everyone knows a Boomer, and we all know that each Boomer is an individual. But let’s look at the collective cultural significance of the generation and the legacy they are likely to leave behind.

1. They like spending money: The Baby Boomers are known as one of the first generations with disposable income and are willing to spend it ⁽¹⁴⁾. During the Baby Boom era, more than 90 percent of households owned a TV, meaning there was a whole new way for capitalism to reach people.
2. Boomer’s political views: Baby Boomers are less likely to be politically independent than younger generations ⁽¹⁵⁾. They are typically split into a Republican group and a Democratic group. Baby Boomers are more likely to be Republican than Democratic.
3. They invented pop culture: As mentioned, Baby Boomers make up the first generation of consumers. They are pioneers in embracing pop culture, watching TV at home, and listening to iconic musicians like Elvis and The Beatles.
4. They remain in the spotlight: Boomers, despite the fact they are aging into the elderly population, continue to bask in the spotlight. People in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s continue embracing their hopes and dreams. For example, Stephen King was born in 1947, and he still writes books. Dolly Parton was born in 1946, and she still performs.
5. They’re blamed for debt: Boomers are often blamed for America’s debt problem. A few decades ago, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio was 35 percent, and now, it’s 103 percent and rising ⁽¹⁶⁾. The Boomers were born into a life of comfort; over time, they borrowed money and cut taxes until the country gradually became bankrupt.
6. Boomers get a bad moral rap: Boomers have a reputation, especially among Gen Z, for being entitled. However, they have led the way regarding tolerance and inclusivity. They have fought hard throughout the late 20th century for women’s rights, gay rights, and Black rights ⁽¹⁷⁾.
7. What surveys have to say: One survey found that 42 percent of people said the Boomer generation would be remembered for consumerism and self-indulgence ⁽¹⁸⁾. Twenty-seven percent said it would be remembered for changing cultural values and ending a war. And 32 percent were split between ‘nothing at all’, another legacy, or they weren’t sure.

FAQs

How Many Baby Boomers Turn 65 Every Day?

In the U.S., about 10,000 people turn 65 every day ⁽¹⁹⁾.

What are the Characteristics of Baby Boomers?

Each individual is different. It’s hard to characterize an entire generation of people. But here are some of the characteristics that are often associated with people born during the Baby Boom:

1. Focused on work ⁽²⁰⁾.
2. Independent.
3. Competitive.
4. Goal-orientated.
5. Self-assured.
6. Positive about relationships.
7. Anti-war ⁽²¹⁾.
8. Technological.
9. Self-sufficient ⁽²²⁾.
10. Decisive.
11. Workaholics.
12. Realistic.
13. Gloomy ⁽²³⁾.