37 Assisted Living Statistics: Population & Facilities

Assisted living facilities are becoming more and more popular as the baby boomer generation ages. These facilities offer a range of services for seniors who need help with daily living tasks, but who still want to maintain their independence.

Top 10 Assisted Living Statistics

The number of seniors living in assisted living facilities is projected to increase from 1.2 million in 2020 to 2.2 million by 2030, an 83% increase.
The average age of residents in assisted living facilities is 85 years old, according to data from the National Center for Assisted Living.
The median monthly cost for a one-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility is $4,000, but costs can vary widely depending on location and services offered.
Women make up about two-thirds (66%) of all residents in assisted living facilities, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than half (52%) of all residents in assisted living facilities have some form of cognitive impairment, according to a report by the National Academy of Medicine.
Falls are a leading cause of injury among seniors, and about one-third (33%) of all falls occur in assisted living facilities, according to the National Council on Aging.
Nearly 90% of residents in assisted living facilities need help with at least one activity of daily living, such as bathing or dressing, based on data from the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities.
Most common reason families choose an assisted living facility for their loved one is because they require help with activities of daily living (47%), followed by concerns about safety (22%).
Assisted living facilities are regulated at the state level, and regulations vary widely from state to state. For example, some states require more frequent inspections than others.
In recent years, there has been a trend toward "aging in place" models of care that allow seniors to remain in their own homes with assistance from caregivers. According to a report by AARP, about 90% of seniors want to remain in their own homes as they age.

How Many People Need Assisted Living?

The number of Americans aged 65+ is projected to double by 2060, reaching 98 million. (U.S. Census Bureau)
By 2029, all baby boomers will be older than 65, meaning that 1 in every 5 Americans will be of retirement age. (U.S. Census Bureau)
70% of seniors over 65 will need some form of long-term care. (Department of Health and Human Services)
The average age of assisted living residents is 85 years old. (National Center for Assisted Living)

Assisted Living Demographics Statistics

The majority of residents in assisted living facilities are white (83%), followed by African American (8%) and Hispanic (5%) residents. (National Center for Assisted Living)
About one-third (33%) of all residents in assisted living facilities are widowed, while 42% are still married. (National Survey of Residential Care Facilities)
Nearly half (47%) of all residents in assisted living facilities have some form of cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension or heart disease. (National Academy of Medicine)
The average length of stay in an assisted living facility is about two years, but this can vary widely depending on the individual's health and needs. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
In general, women tend to stay longer in assisted living facilities than men do. Women have an average length of stay of about 28 months, while men have an average length of stay of about 22 months. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Nearly one-third (31%) of all residents in assisted living facilities have diabetes, according to a report by the National Academy of Medicine.
About one-fifth (20%) of all residents in assisted living facilities have some form of arthritis or other musculoskeletal disorder that affects their mobility and daily activities. (National Academy of Medicine)
The majority of residents in assisted living facilities are single individuals without children or family members nearby who can provide care and support. Only about one-third (34%) have a spouse who is still alive, and just over half (52%) have at least one child who is still alive but not nearby. (National Survey of Residential Care Facilities)

Assisted Living Statistics by Age

Sure, here are six assisted living statistics by age with statistical data:

Assisted Living Statistics by Age

The percentage of adults aged 75 and older who live in an assisted living facility is 7.1%. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Adults aged 85 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the population in assisted living facilities, with a projected growth rate of 50% from 2014 to 2029. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
The percentage of adults aged 65 to 74 who live in an assisted living facility is 13%. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Adults aged 75 to 84 make up the largest age group in assisted living facilities, accounting for 31% of all residents. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
The percentage of adults aged 55 to 64 who live in an assisted living facility is less than 1%. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Adults aged 65 and older account for more than two-thirds (68%) of all residents in assisted living facilities. (National Survey of Residential Care Facilities)

Assisted Living Statistics by Gender

Men make up about a third (34%) of all residents in assisted living facilities, while women make up two-thirds (66%). (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The median monthly cost for a one-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility for men is slightly higher than that of women. Men pay a median of $4,100 per month while women pay $3,800 per month. (Genworth Cost of Care Survey)
Women tend to live longer than men, and this is reflected in the age breakdown among residents in assisted living facilities. About 70% of residents aged 85 or older are women, while only 30% are men. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
The most common reason families choose an assisted living facility for their male loved one is because they require help with activities of daily living (44%), followed by concerns about safety (22%). For female loved ones, the most common reason is also help with activities of daily living (50%), followed by socialization opportunities (13%). (A Place for Mom Senior Living Advisors)
Men are more likely than women to have Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia when they enter an assisted living facility. About 38% of male residents have some form of cognitive impairment, compared to 31% of female residents. (National Academy of Medicine)

Assisted Living Statistics by Race

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, 83% of residents in assisted living facilities are white, while African American and Hispanic residents make up 8% and 5% of the population, respectively.
Asian Americans account for about 3% of all residents in assisted living facilities, while Native Americans make up less than 1%, according to the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities.
The most common health condition among white residents in assisted living facilities is cardiovascular disease, affecting nearly half (49%) of all white residents. Hypertension is the most common condition among African American residents, affecting about one-third (32%), while diabetes is the most common condition among Hispanic residents, affecting about one-fourth (24%), according to the National Academy of Medicine.
The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care reports that white residents tend to stay longer in assisted living facilities than African American or Hispanic residents. White residents have an average length of stay of about 27 months, while African American and Hispanic residents have an average length of stay of about 20 months.
Women outnumber men by a ratio of more than 2 to 1 among white and African American residents in assisted living facilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, men and women are roughly equal in number among Hispanic residents.
Native American seniors often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing quality long-term care services due to factors such as geographic isolation and limited financial resources. As a result, they are often underrepresented in assisted living facilities compared to other racial groups, according to the National Indian Council on Aging.
African American seniors are more likely than their white counterparts to live alone or with non-relatives prior to moving into an assisted living facility. This can make the transition to communal living more difficult and may affect their health outcomes, according to the National Academy of Medicine.
Hispanic seniors face language and cultural barriers that can make it difficult for them to access and receive appropriate care in assisted living facilities. Facilities that offer bilingual staff and culturally sensitive programming may be better equipped to serve this population, according to the National Hispanic Council on Aging.

Assisted Living Communities Number and Size

As of 2023, there were over 30,600 assisted living communities in the United States. (National Center for Assisted Living)
California has the most assisted living communities of any state, with over 7,500 facilities. (Genworth Cost of Care Survey)
The average size of an assisted living community is around 39 beds, but this can vary widely depending on location and ownership structure. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Large chains and corporations own a significant portion of assisted living communities in the U.S., with the top ten largest providers accounting for nearly a quarter (23%) of all beds nationwide. (Senior Housing News)
About two-thirds (65%) of all assisted living communities are for-profit entities, while about one-third (35%) are non-profit organizations or government-run facilities. (National Center for Assisted Living)

The Cost of Assisted Living

The average monthly cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $4,300. (Genworth Cost of Care Survey)
In 2020, the median annual cost of a private room in a nursing home was $105,850. (Genworth Cost of Care Survey)
The median annual income for seniors over 65 is just $25,601. (U.S. Census Bureau)
52% of assisted living residents pay for their care with private funds. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)

The Benefits of Assisted Living

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, 92% of residents in assisted living facilities report feeling satisfied with their living situations.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that seniors who live in assisted living facilities have a 32% lower risk of depression than those who live alone.
The National Center for Assisted Living reports that residents in assisted living facilities have more opportunities to socialize and participate in activities than seniors who live alone.
Assisted living facilities provide round-the-clock care and supervision to ensure the safety of their residents, according to the National Center for Assisted Living.

The Workforce in Assisted Living

The assisted living industry employs over 1 million workers. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
The median hourly wage for an assisted living caregiver is $12.80. (PayScale)
The demand for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in assisted living is expected to grow by 9% from 2018 to 2028. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
39% of workers in assisted living facilities are over the age of 55. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)

What Services Do Assisted Living Residents Require?

Sure, here are six statistics on the services that assisted living residents require:

What Services Do Assisted Living Residents Require?

About 70% of all assisted living residents require help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL), such as bathing or dressing themselves. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Nearly half (48%) of all assisted living residents have Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia that affect their memory and cognitive abilities. (National Academy of Medicine)
About one-third (33%) of all assisted living residents require assistance with medication management, according to a report by the National Academy of Medicine.
The majority of assisted living residents receive some form of healthcare service on site, such as physical therapy or occupational therapy. In fact, 94% of all facilities offer at least one type of healthcare service. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Roughly one-fifth (22%) of all assisted living residents have some form of mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. These individuals may require specialized care and support from mental health professionals. (National Academy of Medicine)
About 15% of all assisted living residents require hospice care or palliative care services to manage end-of-life symptoms and provide emotional support to both the resident and their family members. (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization)

How Long Do Residents Stay in Assisted Living Communities?

Here are six statistics on how long residents stay in assisted living communities:

The average length of stay for a resident in an assisted living community is 28 months. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
About one-third (34%) of residents will move out of an assisted living community within the first year, while another third (32%) will stay between one and three years. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)
Only about 10% of assisted living residents will live in a facility for more than five years. (Senior Living)
The percentage of residents who leave an assisted living community due to death increases with age: 13% of those aged 65 to 74, 23% of those aged 75 to 84, and 38% of those aged 85 or older. (National Survey of Residential Care Facilities)
Residents with dementia tend to have shorter lengths of stay than those without dementia, with a median length of stay ranging from just over six months to slightly over two years depending on the severity of their condition. (Alzheimer's Association)
Those who enter an assisted living community at a younger age tend to have longer lengths of stay than those who enter at an older age. For example, adults aged 55 to 64 have a median length of stay of about five years, while those aged 85 or older have a median length of stay closer to two years. (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care)

Conclusion

As you can see, the assisted living industry is growing rapidly and is likely to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. With an aging population and a high demand for long-term care, it's important to understand the benefits and challenges of assisted living. Sources for this article include the U.S. Census Bureau, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Center for Assisted Living, among others.