Finding a safe and wholesome community for retirement can enhance the exceptional of existence for senior citizens
Just over forty-nine million U.S. Residents are aged 65 years and older. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this figure will grow to over eighty million come 2050, and the age organization will increase from 14.1% of the U.S. Populace to twenty.Nine%. Knowing which U.S. Counties are most appropriate for a retiree’s wishes can assist the ones considering retirement alternatives. Retiring from the right area can ensure a happy and healthful revel in the latter degree of life.
To find the healthiest counties for retirement, 24/7 Wall St. Compiled a wealth of information for counties with vast elderly populations from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program.
25. Chatham County, N.C.
Population: 67,431
Pct. Of population sixty five+: 22.6%
Avg. Retirement profits: $29,998
No. Of number one care physicians: sixty-five
The populace of Chatham County aged sixty-five and over grew by way of 2.Eight% over the last year due to migration from out of the nation, extra than two times the common fee of sixty-five and older migration across all counties. Located in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro place, which incorporates each Duke Hospital and UNC Hospitals, Chatham County retirees have to get entry to a number of the exceptional healthcare inside the united states. Some ninety% of diabetic Medicare sufferers aged 65 to 75 receive annual exams that evaluate their long-term control of blood glucose concentrations, and 70% of woman Medicare enrollees elderly sixty-five to sixty-seven receive breast cancer screenings biennially, both of which larger than the corresponding countrywide stocks. Additionally, Pittsboro, the county seat, became a North Carolina Certified Retirement Community in 2013 — a designation that recognizes the vicinity’s wonderful exceptional of dwelling for seniors.
24. Transylvania County, N.C.
Population: 32,928
Pct. Of populace sixty five+: 27.6%
Avg. Retirement income: $25,207
No. Of primary care physicians: 25
One of four North Carolina counties in this listing, Transylvania has a quite big senior citizen network. Some 27.6% of the county populace is at the least sixty-five years old, more than double the 14.1% countrywide share. The 65-yr and older populace grew by way of 2.6% due to migration from out of state in the past year on my own, greater than double the countrywide fee of one.1%. Senior citizens can be drawn to Transylvania County because of its environment, which consists of waterfalls, mountains, and numerous leisure opportunities. More than eighty% of the county population has access to places for physical pastime including parks and recreational facilities, which may additionally give citizens incentive to have interaction in workout frequently.
23. Indian River County, Fla.
Population: 142,866
Pct. Of populace sixty five+: 29.Five%
Avg. Retirement earnings: $30,527
No. Of number one care physicians: 104
Some 29.5% of citizens in Indian River County are sixty-five years vintage and over, one of the biggest shares of any U.S. County. Indian River is also one of the healthiest counties national. Only 24.5% of person residents are obese, far much less than the 28.0% national weight problems price. For each one hundred,000 citizens, 6,686 years of life are lost annually due to humans death earlier than the age of seventy-five. To compare, the common annual rate many of the 500 oldest U.S. Counties is approximately 7,500 years of lifestyles misplaced due to premature death in keeping with a hundred,000 citizens.
22. Cape May County, N.J.
Population: 95,805
Pct. Of population sixty five+: 23.3%
Avg. Retirement earnings: $27,453
No. Of primary care physicians: fifty-seven
The sixty-five and older population in Cape May County grew by using 2.3% over the past yr due to inbound out-of-kingdom migration, extra than twice the countrywide common boom rate. New retirees can also come to revel in the county’s numerous seashores and golfing guides. While counties with older populations are often much less wholesome, Cape May County residents have healthier behaviors than the common American, main to better health outcomes. Just 14.2% of adults in the county smoke, and handiest 21.Eight% do now not exercising frequently, higher than the countrywide fees of 18.Zero% and 22.0%, respectively. Cape May County seniors might also have higher access to health care. Some 70% of lady Medicare enrollees within the county elderly sixty-five to sixty-seven get hold of breast cancer screenings biennially, extra than the 63% countrywide proportion.
21. Lee County, Fla.
Population: 663,675
Pct. Of populace 65+: 25.6%
Avg. Retirement earnings: $30,564
No. Of primary care physicians: 429
Lee County attracts more senior citizens each year than nearly another U.S. County. Lee County’s sixty-five and older population grew by way of four.5% during the last year due to the inflow of new senior citizens from out of the country, greater than 4 instances the countrywide common. These inexperienced persons are becoming a member of one of the healthiest old-age communities inside u . S . A .. Just 6,620 years of life are misplaced due to people loss of life before the age of 75 according to a hundred,000 Lee County residents annually, approximately 900 years less in line with a hundred,000 than the average fee the various 500 counties with the oldest populations within the United States.
20. Josephine County, Ore.
Population: eighty-three,409
Pct. Of populace sixty five+: 24.1%
Avg. Retirement income: $22,099
No. Of primary care physicians: 72
Senior citizens in this West Coast county have to get entry to a high concentration of healthcare companies. There are 86 primary care physicians, seventy-six dentists, and 620 mental health carriers in keeping with a hundred,000 residents in Josephine County, some of the maximum of any county. By comparison, national there are seventy-five primary care physicians, 66 dentists, and 2 hundred intellectual fitness providers consistent with a hundred,000 Americans. Additionally, the populace as an entire reveals fantastically healthful behaviors. Only 20% of the Josephine County population is physically inactive and 17% drinks excessively, each below the respective country wide quotes of twenty-two% and 18%.
19. Brunswick County, N.C.
Population: one hundred fifteen,926
Pct. Of population 65+: 25.6%
Avg. Retirement profits: $29,567
No. Of primary care physicians: 56
The 65-year-and-over populace in Brunswick County, North Carolina has improved with the aid of an amazing fifty-nine .1% from 2010 to 2016 — extra than triple the national corresponding population growth charge of 21.6%. Over the past year, this populace in Brunswick grew by three.Four% due to out-of-kingdom migration, properly above the common increase fee due to migration across counties of one.1%. One thing attracting retirees to Brunswick County may be the area’s great health care. Of diabetic Medicare patients aged 65 to seventy-five, ninety-two % obtain checks that evaluate their long-time period manipulate of blood glucose concentrations yearly, properly above the countrywide price of eighty-five %. Additionally, seventy-nine % of female Medicare enrollees aged sixty-five to 67 receive breast cancer screenings biennially, far extra than the 63% countrywide discern. Brunswick County citizens also are particularly lively. Only 20.4% of the person population is physically inactive, underneath the 22.Zero% national inactivity price.
18. Yavapai County, Ariz.
Population: 215,996
Pct. Of populace 65+: 27.2%
Avg. Retirement profits: $25,189
No. Of number one care physicians: 136
Founded in 1864, Yavapai County is one of the oldest in Arizona. Yavapai additionally has one of the oldest populations in the country. Some 27.2% of the population is sixty-five years or older, the second biggest percentage in Arizona and one in every of the biggest of any county nationwide. The 65-and-older population grew 3.2% because of the inflow of senior residents from out of kingdom in the past year, almost triple the 1.1% national common. Newcomers may be drawn to the area for its healthful population. Only 20.4% of the adult population is physically inactive, less than the 22.0% national parent. Also, a relatively small percent of county adults smoke and drink excessively, at 14.Four% and 15.3%, respectively. To compare, 18.Zero% of adults nationwide smoke and drink excessively. Only 25.Three% of the adult’s population in Yavapai County is overweight, underneath the country wide adult obesity charge of 28.0%.
17. Curry County, Ore.
Population: 22,338
Pct. Of population sixty five+: 30.Five%
Avg. Retirement earnings: $24,056
No. Of primary care physicians: 16
Curry County has attracted more senior residents over the past year than almost every other county.
The sixty-five and older population grew with the aid of 3.Eight% over the past yr because of inbound migration from out of the country, well above the countrywide average of one.1%. Currently, citizens who are sixty-five and over include 30.Five% of the county’s population, extra than twice the 14.1% countrywide proportion. One pull aspect for retirees can be the place’s numerous recreational possibilities and healthful population. Some 94.3% of the populace has got right of entry to opportunities for physical interest such as parks and leisure centers, properly above the countrywide share of 84.0%. Only sixteen.9% of adults in the county do no longer exercise, one of the smallest stocks national.
Sixteen. Ravalli County, Mont.
Population: forty,823
Pct. Of populace 65+: 21.9%
Avg. Retirement earnings: $20,041
No. Of number one care physicians: 27
Located in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, Ravalli County is an attractive vacation spot for retirees. Over the past year, the county’s sixty five-and-over population grew 2.1% because of the influx of seniors from out of state, nearly twice the national average. Today, 21.9% of the Ravalli County population is at the least sixty-five years old, a long way more than the 14.1% countrywide determine. Ravalli County is also one of the healthiest counties in the united states. According to the CDC, just 8.Nine% of grownup residents within the county have diabetes, that’s much less than almost some other county. Ravalli County citizens also are notably lively, with simplest 20% of adults reporting physical inaction, much less than the nationwide state of being the inactive rate of 22%.
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15. Sumter County, Fla.
Population: 108,501
Pct. Of populace sixty five+: 50.9%
Avg. Retirement profits: $31,364
No. Of number one care physicians: 39
Over the beyond yr, the 65-and-over populace in Sumter County grew 5.6% due to the wave of inbound seniors from out of state, nearly the most of any U.S. County. Many incoming retirees are possibly moving to The Villages — the largest retirement network inside the United States — which has rapidly elevated in recent years. Today, the 65 and older population accommodates 50.Nine% of Sumter County’s population — the most important proportion of any U.S. County. One advantage of dwelling in Sumter County may be access to the location’s excellent fitness care gadget. Some eighty-four % of girl Medicare enrollees elderly 65 to 67 received a breast cancer screening in the past years, more than the countrywide average of sixty-three %. Additionally, ninety% of diabetic Medicare enrollees ages 65 to 75 receive annual checks that compare their lengthy-time period manipulate of blood glucose concentrations. For attitude, this parent surpasses the national common of 85%.
14. Henderson County, N.C.
Population: 109,719
Pct. Of populace 65+: 23.9%
Avg. Retirement profits: $22,858
No. Of primary care physicians: 97
Henderson County is a pinnacle vacation spot for retirees. Over the beyond 12 months, the sixty five-and-over populace grew 2.7% from out-of-country migration, more than twice the 1.1% countrywide common. Henderson County is likewise one of the healthiest counties nationwide, and seniors inside the vicinity may also have more get right of entry to hospital treatment than in most of the united states of America. Only 9.9% of adults have diabetes, a few of the least of any U.S. County. Approximately 89% of residents sixty-five to seventy-five with diabetes on Medicare receive assessments that compare their lengthy-term control of blood glucose concentrations yearly, more than the eighty-five % countrywide figure. In addition, 70% of ladies elderly sixty-five to sixty-seven received a mammogram within the past years, greater than the nationwide corresponding proportion of sixty-three %. The huge percentage of seniors receiving preventive care may be in part because of the excessive awareness of health vendors inside the region. There are 87 number one care physicians for each one hundred,000 citizens, well above the national attention of approximately 76 physicians in step with 100,000 Americans.
Thirteen. Vilas County, Wisc.
Population: 21,355
Pct. Of populace sixty five+: 28.2%
Avg. Retirement profits: $25,187
No. Of number one care physicians: 15
Vilas County is domestic to one in all the most important elderly populations in the kingdom with 28.2% of the county’s population sixty-five years and older. In the beyond a year, the older population grew via 2.Zero% from inbound out-of-country migration, about twice the similar charge throughout all counties. Seniors in Vilas County have to get right of entry to a high attention of health practitioners. There are approximately 108 dentists according to 100,000 citizens, almost two times the countrywide concentration of sixty-six dentists according to a hundred,000 Americans. About ninety% of diabetic Medicare patients aged 65 to 75 get hold of HbA1c, or checks that examine their blood glucose concentrations, on an annual foundation. This is above the comparable fee nationwide of eighty-five %. Similarly, the proportion of girl enrollees 65 to 67 receiving a mammogram every two years is 76% versus the national proportion of 63.0%.
12. Martin County, Fla.
Population: 151,586
Pct. Of populace 65+: 28.8%
Avg. Retirement income: $30,388
No. Of primary care physicians: 107
The 65-and-over population in Martin County grew by four.1% over the past year because of inbound migration, greater than nearly some other county. Perhaps the nice and cozy weather, numerous beaches, and 75 parks draw retirees into the county. The common retirement earnings in Martin County is $30,388 yearly, one among the most important of any U.S. County. A majority of residents in this community enjoy getting right of entry to leisure centers, mainly 95%, extra than the countrywide average of eighty-four %. In addition to the greater get admission to gyms and out of doors activities, Martin County citizens are fantastically lively, and the vicinity has one of the decreased weight problems prices in the country. Only 21.3% of adults in the county are obese, a whole lot much less than the countrywide adult obesity charge of 28.Zero%.
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eleven. Clallam County, Wash.
Population: 72,397
Pct. Of population 65+: 26.2%
Avg. Retirement profits: $27,266
No. Of number one care physicians: 64
Clallam County is located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington nation. More than 1 in four county citizens are as a minimum 65 years vintage, certainly one of the most important stocks of U.S. Counties. The age cohort grew by way of 1.Nine% because of the inbound migration of out-of-kingdom seniors over the past yr, some distance outpacing the 1.1% national price. According to Port Angeles — the county seat — seniors circulate to Clallam County for the region’s scenic beauty and endeavor possibilities. Only 18.Eight% of adults in the county do now not exercising, a long way much less than the 22.Zero% national average. The county is also one of the healthiest within the country. Just 6,706 years of existence are misplaced due to humans demise earlier than the age of 75 in keeping with a hundred,000 Clallam County residents yearly, approximately 800 years less consistent with one hundred,000 than the average rate some of the 500 counties with the oldest populations in the United States.
10. Palm Beach County, Fla.
Population: 1,378,806
Pct. Of populace 65+: 22.4%
Avg. Retirement income: $29,451
No. Of primary care physicians: 1,109
The origins of Palm Beach County’s repute as a retirement network date returned to World War II when heaps of U.S. Veterans settled in the area after schooling close by. Retirees flocked to the place as builders built up the location’s actual property, and they retain to move to Palm Beach in droves today. The county’s sixty five-and-over populace grew with the aid of 2.Four% inside the past 12 months due to migration from out of the country, more than two times the 1.1% comparable national growth fee for the age cohort. While older populations tend to have decrease health results, Palm Beach is one of the healthier counties inside u . S . A .. Just 21.5% of adults are obese, a long way much less than the 28.Zero% U.S. Discern. Additionally, there are fewer years of life lost because of the untimely loss of life per capita in Palm Beach than in a majority of counties.
9. Douglas County, Nev.
Population: forty-seven,259
Pct. Of populace sixty five+: 23.Five%
Avg. Retirement earnings: $32,444
No. Of number one care physicians: 32
The sixty five-and-over populace in Douglas County increased by using 2.8% over the last 12 months because of out-of-kingdom migration, more than a majority of counties. Today, 23.5% of the county’s populace is as a minimum sixty-five years old, some distance extra than the 14.1% countrywide proportion. Douglas County residents additionally have some of the quality health behaviors and results within the USA. Just 17% of adults do no longer exercising frequently, ways much less than the 22% national state of no activity price. Additionally, simply eight% of Douglas County adults were identified with diabetes, one of the smaller shares nationwide.
Eight. Sarasota County, Fla.
Population: 392,038
Pct. Of populace sixty five+: 33.2%
Avg. Retirement income: $32,420
No. Of primary care physicians: 304
The eighth healthiest retirement community in the country is Sarasota County, placed in the Sunshine State. Palm timber paired with beaches at the Siesta Key make Sarasota County a vacation hotspot and a pinnacle retirement vacation spot. In just the past 12 months, the sixty five-and-over population grew by using three.9% from inbound migration, among the most of any U.S. County. Today, Sarasota has certainly one of the largest retiree populations at 33.2% of county citizens, greater than double the countrywide share. While older populations generally tend to have lower health outcomes, Sarasota is one of the more healthy counties inside the united states of America. There are 6,464 years of life misplaced because of premature deaths before the age of seventy-five for every a hundred,000 residents yearly. The common rate among the 500 oldest U.S. Counties is about 7,500 years of existence lost due to premature dying per a hundred,000 citizens.
7. Island County, Wash.
Population: seventy-nine,329
Pct. Of populace 65+: 21.2%
Avg. Retirement income: $27,687
No. Of number one care physicians: 30
Island County, Washington has grown to be one of the locations-to-be for retirees. The sixty five-year-and-over population expanded via 34.4% from 2010 to 2016, extra than the similar boom national of 21.6%. New retirees have come one of the greater active counties inside the U.S. Approximately 86% of the populace has access to places for bodily activity such as parks and leisure centers, and 81% of residents exercising regularly, each large stocks than in a majority of counties. Only thirteen.Nine% of adults in Island County smoke, ways much less than the countrywide smoking rate of 18.0%. The prevalence of diabetes is also pretty low, with 9.4% diagnosed with the ailment — one of the lowest rates amongst all U.S. Counties.
6. Carroll County, N.H.
Population: 47,513
Pct. Of populace 65+: 23.4%
Avg. Retirement income: $28,382
No. Of primary care physicians: 41
An expected 23.Four% of residents in Carroll County are at the least sixty-five years antique, one in every of the largest shares in the united states. While older populations have a tendency to have lower fitness outcomes, Carroll is one of the healthier counties within the USA. Only 18.6% of the grownup populace does now not interact in physical hobby regularly, ways much less than the countrywide inactiveness rate of twenty-two.Zero%. A larger share of seniors in Carroll County also gets hold of everyday preventive hospital therapy than in a majority of U.S. Counties. The majority of ladies elderly 65 to 67 get hold of mammogram screenings — 70% had one inside the beyond years, greater than the sixty-three % national common. Some 88% of diabetic Medicare enrollees among the ages of 65 and 75 inside the county get hold of checks that compare their lengthy-time period manage of blood glucose concentrations yearly, above the similar national price of eighty-five %.
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five. Knox County, Maine
Population: 39,723
Pct. Of population sixty five+: 21.4%
Avg. Retirement income: $23,366
No. Of number one care physicians: 39
The 65-and-over populace in Knox County grew 2.4% over the last year due to inbound migration from out of state, greater than double the national common. Some citizens may additionally relocate to Bartlett Woods, a retirement community in Rockland, the county seat, which caters to the lively senior citizen. Knox is one of the maximum active counties national, as handiest 17.9% of the grownup populace is bodily inactive, which is some distance less than the 22.Zero% national inactiveness price. Physical pastime helps one maintain a healthy frame weight, and the county’s personal weight problems rate is a low 23.1%. For attitude, the national price is 28.Zero%. Obesity increases the danger of diabetes, particularly kind 2 diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes is also very low in this county with 7.5% of the adult population identified with the disease — among one of the lowest fees of any U.S. County.
4. Collier County, Fla.
Population: 341,091
Pct. Of populace 65+: 28.Eight%
Avg. Retirement profits: $forty one,471
No. Of primary care physicians: 239
The sixty five-and-over population in Collier County, Florida accelerated by using three.7% in the past year because of inbound out-of-kingdom migration, a number of the most of any county. Today, 28.8% of county residents are 65 years and older, extra than double the 14.1% countrywide rate. As one age, obesity can become greater, not unusual. This county, but, has one of the lowest weight problems prices of any U.S. County. Some 19.Five% of person citizens are overweight, some distance underneath the national weight problems fee of 28.0%. Another perk for Collier County retirees is the ease of accessibility to possibilities for exercise — 91.3% of residents have to get entry to places for physical interest inclusive of parks and recreational facilities, one among the largest shares national.
3. Jefferson County, Wash.
Population: 30,083
Pct. Of populace 65+: 30.1%
Avg. Retirement income: $28,417
No. Of number one care physicians: 26
The third healthiest retirement community in the state is Jefferson County, Washington. Only 16.1% of the Jefferson County person populace is inactive, properly beneath the countrywide inactiveness price of 22.Zero%. Other superb healthy behaviors include the small percentage of residents who smoke at best 13.Five% of the grownup population — some distance less than the countrywide smoking charge of 18.0%. Seniors in Jefferson County can also have greater get admission to preventive hospital treatment. Some 90.Five% of citizens ages 65 to 75 with diabetes receive annual blood assessments that reveal their long-time period manipulate of blood glucose concentrations, a good deal better than the similar countrywide common of eighty-five.Zero%.
2. Beaufort County, S.C.
Population: 171,420
Pct. Of population 65+: 23.3%
Avg. Retirement profits: $38,756
No. Of primary care physicians: 124
The 65-and-over populace in Beaufort County, South Carolina multiplied by way of 5.Zero% because of inbound out-of-kingdom migration that took place over the past year, more than nearly any other county. Perhaps the antebellum architecture and natural surroundings are what draw retirees into the county, with its historical houses and scenic water views. Beaufort County incorporates Hilton Head Island and is kind of forty-five miles from Savannah, Georgia — two exceptional getaways. Residents of Beaufort County are quite lively. Only 15.2% of adults do not workout regularly, one of the smallest stocks nationwide. In addition, seniors appear to obtain more preventive care than in most counties. Some seventy-four % of female Medicare enrollees ages sixty-five to 67 in Beaufort County is up to date on their biennial mammogram, well above the comparable countrywide rate of sixty-three %.
1. San Juan County, Wash.
Population: 15,956
Pct. Of population sixty five+: 28.0%
Avg. Retirement profits: $36,138
No. Of primary care physicians: eleven
The healthiest community to retire within the United States is none other than San Juan County, Washington. The 65-and-over population extended by 1.9% due to seniors shifting to the county from out of state, the various maximum of any county. San Juan is also one of the healthiest counties nationwide. Only 15.1% of the grownup populace in San Juan County isn’t bodily active, far much less than the national inactivity price of 22.Zero%. Some 12.8% of adults within the county smoke and handiest 20.7% are overweight, well under the countrywide 18% smoking and 28.0% obesity price. Residents also have greater get entry into mental fitness care. There are approximately 350 intellectual health companies in step with every 100,000 residents, well above the countrywide attention of two hundred in keeping with every a hundred,000 Americans.
Detailed findings and method
The migration styles of America’s older population can suggest in which a number of the pinnacle destinations for retirees are placed. In common, the sixty-five-plus population within the U.S. Grew 1.1% during the last yr from out-of-country migration. In our evaluation, 24/7 Wall St. Looked at the ninety counties where the sixty five-and-over populace grew at the least 1.7% from out-of-state migration in the ultimate year and in which they comprised at the least 21.2% of the entire county population — each one hundred fifty% of the corresponding countrywide figures.
24/7 Wall St. Ranked those 90 counties with big elderly populations attracting new residents primarily based on an index constituted of numerous measures associated with health behaviors, health outcomes, and get admission to fitness care, consisting of bodily activity, untimely demise, and the regularity of diabetes and breast most cancers screening.