As the first members of the "baby boomer" generation approach their 60's, older Americans have become one of the fastest-growing segments of society, and this trend will grow in the years to come. Following are some interesting facts and figures on the older population (people 65 or older) in the U.S., to commemorate May as "Older Americans Month."

POPULATION

36.8 million - The number of people 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2005. This age group accounted for 12 percent of the total population. Between 2004 and 2005, this age group increased by 457,000 people.

86.7 million - Projected population of people 65 and older in 2050. People in this age group would comprise 21 percent of the total population at that time.

147% - Projected percentage increase in the 65-and-older population between 2000 and 2050. By comparison, the population as a whole would have increased by only 49 percent over the same period.

495 million - Current world population 65 and older. Projections indicate the number will increase to 997 million by 2030.

72 - The number of men 65 and older on July 1, 2005, for every 100 women in this age group. For those 85 and older, it drops to 46 men per 100 women.

5.1 million - The number of people 85 and older in the United States on July 1, 2005.

79,682 - Estimated number of people age 100 or older in the United States on Nov. 1, 2006.

580,605 - Projected number of people age 100 or older in the United States in 2040.

3.9 million - Number of people 65 and older living in California on July 1, 2005, the highest total of any state. Florida, with 3 million, was the runner-up.

INCOME AND WEALTH

$26,036 - Median 2005 income of households with householders 65 and older, up 2.8 percent, in real terms, from the previous year.

10.1% - Poverty rate for people 65 and older in 2005, statistically unchanged from the previous year. There were 3.6 million seniors in poverty.

39% - Percentage of total annual personal income of people 65 and older in 2001 that came from Social Security payments.

$190,100 - Median net worth for families in 2004 whose head was between 65 and 74. For those whose head was 75 or older, the corresponding figure was $163,100.

SERVING OUR NATION

9 million - Estimated number of people 65 and older who are military veterans.

JOBS

5.3 million - Number of people 65 and older who were in the labor force in 2005. Projections indicate that by 2014, the number will reach 8.7 million.

EDUCATION

72% - Proportion of people 65 and older in 2005 with at least a high school diploma.

18% - Percentage of the population 65 and older in 2005 who had earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

7.3 million - Number of people 66 and older taking adult education courses. About 8 percent of all lifelong learners are in this age group.

69,000 - Number of people 65 and older enrolled in regular school (specifically, high school or college) in October 2005.

MARITAL STATUS

54% - Percentage of people 65 and older who were married with spouse present in 2005.

30% - Percentage of widowed people 65 and older in 2005.

VOTING

79% - Percentage of citizens 65 and older registered to vote in the 2004 presidential election. Seventy-one percent of citizens in this age group reported actually casting a ballot.

41% - Of all the votes in the 2040 presidential election, the projected percentage to be cast by people 65 and older. In the 2004 election, people in this age group cast 19 percent of the votes.

HOMEOWNERSHIP

81% - Proportion of householders 65 and older in 2006 who owned their homes. This compares with 43 percent for householders at the other end of the age spectrum -- younger than 35.

BUSINESSES

11% - Percentage of the nation's business owners who are 65 and older.