Brooklyn now has more residents older than 65 than the entire population of any other city in the state. And more than one-in-five are living in poverty, according to a new report from The Center for an Urban Future.
In the past 10 years, the number of Brooklyn residents over the age of 65 surged by more than 100,000 people, jumping from 293,025 in 2011 to 397,532 in 2021, according to the Feb. 1, report, 'Keeping Pace With an Aging New York State.'
Brooklyn’s population of people aged 85 and older also grew by 7,957 people in 2011, to 49,141 in 2021, the largest increase of any county in the state.
"Brooklyn is now home to the second-most older adults of any county in the state, having been just surpassed by Queens," the report states.
Nearly 3.5M New Yorkers are over 65
The report, funded by a grant from the American Association of Retired Persons New York, tracks a larger trend of an aging New York population.
By comparing census data from 2011 and 2021, the nonpartisan policy organization CUF found the state's older adult population is booming, with nearly 3.5 million residents ages 65 and above: More than the entire population of 21 states.
The spike in Brooklyn's older population is attributed to growth in the older immigrant population over the past decade, the report states. Immigrants now account for 58% of Brooklyn's older adult population.
A growing share of the state’s adults aged 65 and older are immigrants and people of color, the report found, and an increasing number live in poverty.
"Alarmingly, older New Yorkers living below the poverty line increased by 37 percent over the past decade," the report states.
In 2021, the poverty threshold was $13,788 for one person and $27,740 for a four-person household.
Poverty and Brooklyn's aging population
The report revealed that more older Brooklynites are living in poverty than a decade ago, and that Brooklyn has one of the highest poverty rates for older adults in the state.
Kings County saw the third-largest increase in the number of older adults living in poverty of any county in the state, with more than 81,000 Brooklynites aged over 65 now living in poverty, the report said.
As a result of the "dramatic trends" outlined in the report, the CUF is urging Governor Kathy Hochul, state lawmakers, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and local officials to start planning now.
"It’s time for state leaders to make investments that keep pace with this new demographic reality and ensure that older New Yorkers are able to live healthy and financially secure lives,” CUF Executive Director Jonathan Bowles said.
New policies and a positive outlook
At the state level, CUF suggests this should include new policies that combat the "alarming rise" in poverty among older New Yorkers and provide enhanced financial security.
It will also require more support for local nonprofits working in older adult services, an expansion of housing and infrastructure for seniors and investments in programs addressing elder abuse, health issues, social isolation, transportation and workforce development.
As well as addressing the needs of older New Yorkers, policymakers should view the growing population as a "positive force" and take action to realize its full potential, the report's authors said.
"With older adults driving the population growth across New York, state and local leaders should also seize opportunities to tap the many strengths of older New Yorkers—to fill employment vacancies, create new businesses, and serve as volunteers and mentors."
