The Trident Area is currently undergoing a demographic revolution that is and will continue to move us toward being a much older region. This revolution is the direct result of significant improvements in health over the last century that has led to a substantial increase in life expectancy at birth. For example:

A child born in 1900 had a life expectancy of age 47; by 2050 life expectancy at birth is projected to be at least 83.

By 2050 there are expected to be 600,000 centurions.

At the turn of this century (2001), half of all people who ever lived to the age of 65 were alive.

In 1900 only 4% of the US population was 65+, today it is 13% and rising fast with the forward edge of 78 million “baby-boomers” turning 60…by 2025 1 in 4 (25%) of the US population will be 65+.

The South Carolina (SC) senior population growth is consistent with the national trend, however added numbers of seniors are represented by in-migration of retirees seeking the “sun belt” climate and activities. In 2000 SC was ranked 4th in the nation for in-migration of seniors; Berkeley + Dorchester Counties was ranked 4th in SC for in-migration of seniors, and Charleston County was ranked 5th.

From 1970-2000 SC’s over-all population increased by 28.6%, but the senior population during that same period increased 32% for those 65-69, 57% for those 70-74, 112% for those 75-84 and for those 85+ there was a 151% increase.

In 1990 SC was 37th in the nation for the percentage of population over 65, in 2002 SC’s ranking had moved to 31st, and by 2025 SC is projected to be 18th and 15th by 2030.

From 1990-2000, SC had the highest percentage growth rate (22.3%) for those age 65 an older of all southeastern states, even Florida; actually NC was next, followed by GA, then FL.

In SC from 1990-2000 the population growth for those 65 and older was 22.2%; but for Berkeley County the growth rate was 51.5%, for Charleston County it was 23.3% and for Dorchester County the growth rate of those 65+ was 43.3%.