BABYLON, NY – Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) indicates a significant increase in the proportion of Long Island households with residents aged 65 and older. Between 2019 and 2023, Nassau County saw this percentage rise to 38.9%, a 2.9 percentage point increase from the period ending in 2018. Similarly, Suffolk County experienced an increase to 36.9%, up 3.4 percentage points from 33.5% during the same timeframe.
This trend aligns with statewide patterns, as New York’s population of individuals aged 65 and over grew by 30.6% between 2011 and 2021, adding over 815,000 older adults. Notably, Long Island alone accounted for an increase of 113,670 older residents during this period.
Concurrently, there has been a decline in households with individuals under 18 on Long Island. In Nassau County, the percentage dropped from 35.5% in the five-year period ending in 2018 to 34.7% in the period ending in 2023. Suffolk County experienced a decrease from 33.7% to 31.4% over the same periods.
This demographic shift is contributing to challenges in the housing market. The increasing number of older adults choosing to “age in place” leads to reduced housing inventory, impacting availability for younger families. Additionally, rising housing costs and limited affordable options are prompting many young adults to relocate out of Long Island.
The growing senior population also underscores the need for enhanced services and infrastructure to support aging residents. Projections suggest that by 2025, individuals aged 60 and over will comprise at least 25% of the population in 33 counties across New York State, with 18 counties expecting this demographic to account for 30% of their populations.
All of this equates to the Island experiencing a notable demographic shift characterized by an increasing senior population and a declining youth demographic. This trend has significant implications for housing, services, and the overall socioeconomic landscape of the region.
