A new report sponsored by AARP New York found four of the largest upstate regions are home to rapidly aging populations, with an alarming percentage of those older New Yorkers living in poverty.
The newly released “Keeping Pace with an Aging New York State” was produced by Center for an Urban Future and found nearly one in five New Yorkers (18%) is 65 and older. The 3.5 million New York residents ages 65 and older constitute a larger group than the entire population of 21 states.
The AARP report found the 65+ population in four upstate regions grew by double digits between 2011 and 2021: 64% in the City of Rochester, 32% in Albany County, 29% in Onondaga County and 23% in Erie County.
Meanwhile, the under-65 population in three of the four regions declined during that same period: by 6% in the City of Rochester, by 3% in Onondaga County and by 1% in Albany County. Only Erie County saw an increase, albeit by a scant 0.1%.
The report also found an alarming increase in the number of older New Yorkers living below the poverty line – 37% during the aforementioned 10-year period – with each of upstate New York’s four largest cities saw significant increases, led by Syracuse’s 110%.
Beth Finkel, state director for AARP New York, noted, “Major issues impacting upstate New York’s older residents include affordable housing, access to public benefits and adequate and safe long-term health care. AARP New York is working with state and local governments and community-based nonprofit organizations to forge deeper collaborations to meet the needs of our aging relatives, friends and neighbors.”
