The Baltimore region is going gray.
While the region's population showed a modest increase of about 4 percent from 2000 through 2007, the number of residents ages 55 to 64 and those 85 and older increased by about a third, according to an analysis of U.S. census data released today.
The former group is the result of the baby boom generation reaching retirement age; the latter, an aging society living longer.
"Longevity has increased so much," said Rose Viscidi, a resident of Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville who is her in 80s. She takes daily aerobics classes and keeps busy, engaging in a lifestyle that has become more the norm for her age group.
"You can be as active as you like here," said Viscidi. "Or you can sit in your apartment and do nothing. For me, I like being in an intellectually stimulating environment."
After Viscidi became a widow, she moved from Vermont to Baltimore County so she could live closer to her son. At Charlestown, she takes courses such as an introduction to archaeology, plays bridge, dines with friends every night and goes to on-site movies on Saturdays.
The numbers that show an aging population are among data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The figures break down county population estimates through July 1, 2007, by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.
In Howard County, the population of residents between 60 and 64 jumped more than 70 percent between 2000 and 2007, and 11.6 percent in the past year.
In Baltimore County, those 85 and older number nearly 40 percent more than seven years ago and almost 5 percent more than last year. In Baltimore City, which showed an overall decrease in population, the number of residents 85 and older went up 16.5 percent in the same period.
The figures follow a national graying trend. In 24 counties in the United States, at least one-quarter of the population is 65 or older. Nine of the counties are in Florida.
In 1950, only about 0.4 percent of the country's population was 85 or older. By 2050, that is expected to grow to 5 percent, and Maryland has one of the 10 fastest-growing populations, according to the Brookings Institution.
Those 65 and older accounted for 8.1 percent of the nation's population in 1950 and are expected to reach 20.7 percent in 2050.
But while the 55-to-69-year-old group and the very old populations have shown steep increases, the population of those in their 70s has decreased in the Baltimore region and state over the past seven years, a lingering result of lower birth rates during the Great Depression.
