A Profile of Older Americans: 2003

Racial and Ethnic Composition

In 2002, 17.24% of persons 65+ were minorities--8.1% were African-Americans,** 2.7% were Asian or Pacific Islander,** and less than 1% were American Indian or Native Alaskan.** Persons of Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) represented 5.5% of the older population. In addition, 0.5% of persons 65+ identified themselves as being of two or more races.

Only 6.7% of minority race and Hispanic populations were 65+ in 2002 (8.2% of African-Americans,** 8.18% of Asians and Pacific Islanders,** 6.6% of American Indians and Native Alaskans,** 5.1% of Hispanics), compared with 15.0% of whites.**

(Data for this section were compiled from Internet releases of the Census 2002 Estimates).