The demographics of the United States will change dramatically during the next 25 years as more baby boomers reach their 60s, 70s and beyond. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the number of Americans age 65 or older will swell from 35 million today to more than 62 million by 2025 - nearly an 80 percent increase. As people grow older, they often become less willing or able to drive, making it necessary to depend on alternative methods of transportation.

Unfortunately, the United States is currently ill prepared to provide adequate transportation choices for our rapidly aging population. Alternatives to driving are sparse, particularly in some regions and in rural and small town communities. As the number of older people increases, so too will their mobility needs. How the nation addresses this issue will have significant social and economic ramifications.

This report presents new findings based on the National Household Transportation Survey of 2001 and places them in the context of other research on mobility in the aging population.

• Press Release (html) .pdf

• Executive Summary (html) .pdf

• Complete Report (.pdf)

Other Materials:

• Presentation of main findings of report (.ppt)

• Fact Sheet (html) .pdf

• Quotes from ten national organizations including Paralyzed Veterans of America and eleven local organizations and individuals.

Tables from Report (available in both .pdf and MS Excel format)

• Table 1: Worst Areas of the Country for Isolation
  of Non-Driver 65 and Over, Ranked .pdf .xls

• Table 2: Driving Among 65 and Over Population,
  Selected States .pdf .xls

• Table 3: Driving among 65 and Over Population,
  Transit Service, and Federal Transit Spending,
  Selected Metropolitan Areas .pdf .xls