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Northwest Arkansas' senior population out grew all others
Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Alice Feng/AxiosThe 65-and-up population grew faster than any other age group in Northwest Arkansas from 2020 to 2023 — 13.5% compared to 8% overall.That's an estimated 80,000 people, according to the Census Bureau's latest population estimates.Why it matters: Cities with growing senior populations must be mindful of older residents' specific needs, like health care, transportation and affordable housing.The big picture: The trend reflects a broader national phenomenon, with America's overall 65-plus population rising 9.4% to about 59.2 million people in this time frame.Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Map: Alice Feng/AxiosBetween the lines: Retirees packing up and relocating are likely driving at least some of the change in cities with especially notable 65+ growth, like Raleigh (+18.3%), Austin (+17.3) and Houston (+15.3%).What they're saying: "While some metro areas saw increases in their youth population, and many saw gains in working-age populations, what's particularly remarkable is the near-universal increase in the older population for metro areas across the country," said Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Branch, in the agency's analysis.Go deeper: Arkansas' senior workers are fewer than U.S. average
Arkansas' senior worker rate is lower than U.S. average
Data: BLS; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosArkansas' share of 65-and-up adults in the workforce (14.6%) is one of the lowest in the U.S., according to preliminary 2023 census data.Why it matters: The 2024 presidential campaign between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is sparking a fresh conversation about age, ability and mental acuity.The big picture: It's not uncommon these days for older Americans to stay in the workforce, particularly in states with older populations.Nationally, 18.7% of adults 65 or over are still working.Today's older workers are better educated, working more hours, and more likely to be receiving employer benefits, compared to past decades, per a 2023 Pew Research Center report.Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Note: Data is not seasonally adjusted; Chart: Axios VisualsBetween the lines: Fewer older Americans are working now compared to during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Axios' Emily Peck reports.Yes, but: The share of older adults in the workforce has been generally rising since the late '80s, Emily writes.That's in part because of changes to Social Security and retirement plans, and in part because medical advances are extending Americans' lives and their time in the workforce.Go deeper: NWA's senior population outgrew all others
Mapped: COVID heating up in Arkansas
Data: CDC; Map: Axios VisualsCOVID-19 viral activity is very high in Arkansas' wastewater as a summertime wave expands.Why it matters: The prevalence of COVID is up in 45 states and territories — especially in the West, where test positivity in the region stood at 15.6% and viral activity in wastewater has been rising for weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control.More than 70% of infections come from KP variants — or descendants of the highly contagious JN.1 strain, which surged over the winter — and are among the so-called FLiRT variants.Zoom in: Hospitalizations reached 40 last week in Arkansas,...
Arkansas group says abortion amendment was unlawfully disqualified from November ballot
The group behind the proposed Arkansas Abortion Amendment pushed back on Secretary of State John Thurston Thursday after he disqualified the measure from the November ballot on technicalities.Why it matters: The letter states Thurston "unlawfully rejected the petition," and adds that even if the group had failed in some technical way, its "compliance efforts … are abundant, well-documented and repeatedly acknowledged by your office."State of play: The group gathered more than 101,000 signatures before submitting the petition to Thurston's office on July 5. He rejected them on July 10 for lack of proper paperwork regarding paid canvassers. The letter back...
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Axios NW Arkansas, anchored by Worth Sparkman and Alex Golden, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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