Census data: The age gap is growing, sharpening political divide

The age gap among regions in the U.S. has grown to its widest in decades. In some areas, the trend will increase pressure on already stretched budgets that provide services for the aging.

The Associated Press: Census Shows Age Gap Widening Among US Regions
Driven by immigrants and young people moving to the South and West and older Americans who stay put elsewhere, the age gap between regions in the U.S. has grown to its widest level in decades, sharpening the divides on hot-button issues such as immigration and changes to Medicare (Yen, 5/12).

Sacramento Bee: Elderly Increase Faster Than Children In Sacramento Region
The number of elderly residents in the Sacramento region grew three times as fast as the number of children during the last decade, according to census figures released today. The trend was the long-expected outcome of baby boomers getting older. Still, the increase in older adults has strained resources already burdened by budget cuts. "We are not prepared," said Deanna Lee, executive director of the Area 4 Agency on Aging, which advocates for older residents (Reese, 5/12).

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Metro Atlanta Getting Older Quickly
Metro Atlanta is rapidly graying, creating new priorities and problems for a region largely geared to young people and working families. The number of people 65 and older grew by 44 percent from 2000 to 2010 within Atlanta's 28-county metropolitan statistical area, according to U.S. Census figures released today. … The trend has multiple sources. Across America, baby boomers are becoming senior citizens and older adults are living longer. The fact that Atlanta is outpacing the nation suggests that quite a few seniors are choosing to relocate here (Schneider and Perry, 5/12).