Regional Overview

Age Structure

Western New York Age Pyramid, 2000

Click on graphic to enlarge

The population of the Buffalo Niagara region is older on balance than its national counterparts, with nearly 20% of the population over age 60—most of it female—compared to 15% for New York State overall. In each region, about 39% of the population is under age 30. One notable difference is that the largest cohort in Southern Ontario are the 30-39 year old range, while Western New York's largest cohort is the 40-49 year old group (see charts, Western New York Age Pyramid, 2000,and So. Ontario Age Pyramid, 2001).

So. Ontario Age Pyramid, 2001 Click on graphic to enlarge The age structure of the population has changed significantly over the past four decades. In 1960—just after the height of the baby boom—Western New York had almost the same share of youth aged 0-24 (43% of the population) as it had the two older cohorts, aged 25-64 (48% of the population). That balance changed significantly during the next four decades, as the population of young adults dropped and the middle-aged and elderly populations increased. Consider that between 1970 and 2000 the proportion of young adults aged 0-24 declined from 45% to 34% of Western New York's population. Meanwhile, the share of the age 25-44 cohort increased steadily between 1970 and 1990, from 22% to 30%, but then dropped to 28% by 2000 (see chart, WNY Age Distribution, 1960-2000). These shifts reflect in part the aging of the baby boom generation now in or approaching the 45-64 cohort, as well as the exodus of young adults—the prime years for starting families—to homes outside Buffalo Niagara.

WNY Age Distribution, 1960-2000 Click on graphic to enlarge Consistent with national trends, the share of seniors aged 65 and over has climbed steadily between 1960 and 2000, from 10% to 15% of the population, with all signs pointing to higher numbers as the decade progresses. Moreover, age pyramids reveal females greatly outnumber males in the older age groups—by well over two times for people aged 85 and over.

Such age shifts bear significant implications for service delivery and governance. Older persons generally require more assistance through health care, public transit, and certain social services, while younger people demand more recreation and education services. A greater proportion of older people vote than is the case among younger people. The larger the dependent population (traditionally defined as individuals 17 and younger and those 65 and older) the greater the pressure on working age residents to shoulder responsibility for non-working seniors and children.