Oklahomans Getting Older, Better Educated

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A new population survey says the percentage of Oklahomans older than 60 years of age is increasing.<br/><br/>The 2005 American Community Survey, released last week, also says the

Tuesday, August 22nd 2006, 6:17 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A new population survey says the percentage of Oklahomans older than 60 years of age is increasing.

The 2005 American Community Survey, released last week, also says the number with high school or college degree is going up.

Jeff Wallace, who works with census numbers at the state Commerce Department's Data Center, says the new population numbers are all about baby boomers. Demographers long have predicted a grayer population as the wave of babies born between 1946 and 1964 approaches old age.

Kelly Burley, associate state director for AARP, says the state is on the verge of a major population shift. Over the next 20 years, Oklahomans will see a great increase in the number of older Americans.