By Rita R. Robison, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are one of the largest generations in U.S. history.

What are the latest statistics on the Boomer Nation?

The U.S. Census Bureau has just released a complication of information from 2006 on baby boomers. In 2006, boomers were ages 42 to 60.

Number of baby boomers

In 1970, there were 72.4 million boomers with the number growing to 78 million in 2006. That was more than 25 percent of the population in 2006. By 2003, the number of boomers is estimated to be 57.8 million.

Boomers by region

South – 28.1 million

Midwest – 17.6 million

West – 17.4 million

Northeast – 14.9 million

Top five boomer states by population

California – 9 million

Texas – 5.7 million

New York – 5.11 million

Florida – 4.7 million

Pennsylvania – 3.4 million

Top five boomer states by percentage

Vermont – 30.1 percent

Maine – 29.8 percent

New Hampshire – 29.7 percent

Montana – 28.7 percent

Connecticut – 28.1 percent

Percentage of boomers in the nation

In 2006, boomers made up 26.1 percent of the population compared to: older adults ages 61-plus, 16 percent; younger adults ages 18-41, 33.3 percent; and children ages 0-17 years, 24.6 percent.

In the same year, the sex ratio for boomers was 96.4. That means there were about 96 male boomers per 100 female boomers.

The ethnic background of boomers

Among boomers in 2006, 82.2 percent were white, 11.6 percent were black, 10.3 percent were Hispanic, 4.3 percent were Asian, .9 were American Indian, .9 were two or more races, and .1 were Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders.

The marital status of boomers

In 2006, 65.6 percent of boomers were married, with 17 percent divorced, 11.7 percent never married, 3 percent separated, and 2.7 widowed.

Educational status of boomers

Boomers in 2006 had the following education: 29.8 percent high school graduate; 28.9 percent some college; 28.8 percent bachelor’s degree or higher; and 12.5 percent less than a high school graduate.

Place of birth of boomers

In 2006, 85.7 percent of boomers were born in the U.S. and 14.3 percent were born in another country.

The number of boomers with disabilities

Among boomers, 83.3 percent were not disabled and 16.7 percent had a disability.

The number of boomer veterans

In 2006, 10.9 percent of boomers were veterans.

The employment status of boomers

The percentage of boomers employed in 2006 was 74.1 percent, with 22.4 percent not in the labor force, 3.3 percent unemployed, and .1 percent in the armed forces.

Boomers and poverty

Among boomers, 8.9 percent were living in poverty in 2006.

Boomers and housing

In 2006, 75 percent of boomers were homeowners, while 25 percent were renters.

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