Silver Citizens : A Statistical Portrait of the Valley’s Senior Population

Growing older in the Valley means becoming part of a diverse and expanding segment of the population. Nearly 10 % of all residents in the Valley are 65 and older, according to a Times analysis based on the 1990 census. Although the 186,273 older residents are fairly evenly distributed throughout Valley communities, some areas are much grayer than others.

In part of Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Toluca Lake--communities that were grouped together and counted as one--people 65 and older make up 15.6 % of the total population.

Cities surrounding the Valley are also home to significant populations of older people. In Burbank, 14.6 % of all residents are 65 and older. In Glendale, people 65 and older are 13.3% of the population.

These numbers come as no surprise to advocacy groups and social service agencies that assist older people.

“We’ve known that the numbers are growing and they’re going to continue to grow,” said Marilyn Fried, acting executive director of Organization for the Needs of the Elderly, ONE, in Van Nuys.

Women outnumber men in every community and every sub-category of the 65 and older age group, but beyond this generality, the older population is difficult to characterize.

“You can no longer consider the aged, or 65 and older as a homogeneous group,” Fried said.

Those who are 65 tend to be more educated and of a higher economic status than those 85 and older, a group that is overwhelming female, Fried said.

As the population of older people grows, their needs are changing, Fried said. Senior centers and other service providers will have to re-evaluate programs and services to insure that they address the needs of all types of older people. “We’re in a transition period now,” she said.

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Communities: Seniors as percentage of total population

Numbers of seniors by age group

% 65-74 75-84 85+ Glendale 13.3% 12,649 8,178 3,126 Northridge 9.8% 4,411 1,497 470 San Fernando 7.5% 1,082 463 145 Reseda/West Van Nuys 11.6% 6,210 2,671 1,449 Chatsworth/Porter Ranch 8.8% 4,722 1,695 618 Sylmar 7.2% 2,763 1,201 362 Van Nuys/North Sherman Oaks 10.8% 8,453 4,846 1,527 Sunland/Tujunga 8.8% 3,442 1,722 506 Santa Clarita 6.3% 4,569 1,936 517 Sherman Oaks/Studio City/Toluca Lake 15.6% 6,226 3,918 1,030 Granada Hills 10.4% 4,176 1,219 463 Mission Hills/Panorama City/Sepulveda 8.3% 5,666 2,637 659 Arleta/Pacoima 5.7% 4,087 1,555 356 Encino/Tarzana 15.0% 6,903 3,151 717 Canoga Park/Winnetka/Woodland Hills 10.3% 10,192 4,325 1,234 Sun Valley 8.1% 4,404 1,848 520 Palmdale 4.7% 2,185 829 250 Burbank 14.6% 7,570 5,067 1,019 North Hollywood 9.8% 6,563 4,099 1,106 Lancaster 7.9% 4,827 2,196 675 Agoura 3.7% 512 219 26