The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a set of guidelines for those most at risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Included on that list are older adults, those aged 65 years and older, and people of all ages that have serious underlying medical conditions. On the MAP Dashboard, we track the percentage of the population that falls into select age groups. In 2018, those that were 65 years and older represented 19.8% of the Tucson Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) population. That was nearly four percentage points higher than the national rate. Tucson’s high percentage of those 65 years and older reflects the large number of retirees in the region. When compared to peer western metros, Tucson had the highest percentage of those aged 65 and older by three percentage points (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Share of Population Aged 65 and Older (2018)
Understanding differences in demographics across regions allows for state and local policy to better reflect the communities they serve. The CDC reported at the end of March 2020, that 8 out of 10 deaths in the U.S. due to COVID-19 occurred in adults 65 years and older. Additionally, the CDC reported that 31-59% of those aged 65-84 years old and 31-70% of adults 85 and older with confirmed COVID-19 required hospitalization. The estimated mortality rates of those 65 and older who contract the virus are also substantially higher than compared to younger adults. Given the high percentage of older adults in the Tucson region, and the potential for hospital systems to become overloaded, Tucsonans should be extra vigilant in minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
We know that Tucson (Pima County*) has a high percentage of those 65 and older, but what does the rest of the state look like? Overall, in the state of Arizona, 17.5% of the population was 65 and older. The U.S. rate was lower at 16.0%. Among the Arizona counties, La Paz had the highest percentage of those 65 and older at 39.3%, followed by Yavapai and Mohave which both had rates just over 30% (see Figure 2). Coconino County had the lowest percentage at 12.5%.
Figure 2: Share of Population Aged 65 and Older (2018)
*The Tucson Metropolitan Statistical Area is the same geographic region as Pima County.
