Survey: Americans Underestimate Changing U.S. Demographics

According to a recent survey from John Burns Real Estate Consulting, many Americans aren’t aware at just how quickly the older adult population will spike within the next several years.

More than half of respondents said that they guessed the over-65 population will grow 22 percent through 2027. In actuality, the population will increase 38 percent. Economists believe that pension programs will become strained, and that fewer houses will be put on the market (in recent years, older adults have shifted toward aging in their current homes).

John Burns REC found seven other demographic misperceptions. The 1990s has the highest share of Americans born in any single decade, more people have college degrees today, and though they get a lot of buzz, start-up businesses are not as common as they once were decades ago.

Also, Americans still value suburban living, and do not move as often as they once did.

Americans move once every nine years. The rule of thumb that began around 1990 that Americans move every six years is no longer true, and it is not just due to the Great Recession. American mobility has been steadily trending down for over 30 years.

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