78.2 million
Estimated number of baby boomers, as of July 1, 2005.

7,918
Number of people turning 60 each day in 2006, according to projections. That amounts to 330 birthdays every hour.        

James & Mary
The most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 1946. Today, the names Jacob and Emily lead the list; James ranks 17th among boys and Mary is 63rd among girls.

50.8%
Percentage of women baby boomers in 2005.        

9.1 million
Estimated number of baby boomers in 2004 who were black. Also, 8.0 million boomers were Hispanic (of any race).

32%
Proportion of Alaska's population that was part of the baby boom generation, as of the last census. Baby boomers also comprised 30 percent or more of the population in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. In contrast, Utah (23 percent) was the only state where baby boomers constituted less than 25 percent.

297.7 million
Current U.S. population. When the Baby Boom started in 1946, the population was estimated at 141.4 million.

85 and 28%
The proportions of adults age 25 and older with at least a high school diploma and at least a bachelor's degree, respectively, in 2004. In 1947, those figures were 33% and 5%.    

$2,695
Average annual expenditures on health care in 2004 for people ages 45 to 54 -- the age group that is the heart of the baby boom generation. When budgeting medical expenses, baby boomers should expect increased health-care spending as they age; for instance, those age 55 to 64 spent $3,262 and those 65 and over, $3,899.

57.8 million
Number of baby boomers living in 2030, according to projections; 54.9 percent would be female. That year, boomers would be between ages 66 and 84.

2.1
The number of workers for each Social Security beneficiary in 2031, when all baby boomers will be over age 65. Currently, there are 3.3 workers for each Social Security beneficiary.

4,041
Number of continuing care retirement facilities in 2003. Many boomers could have parents in need of such facilities or may have to move into such a facility themselves in the future.

27,813
Number of fitness and recreation centers nationwide in 2003. These are good places to visit on a regular basis for boomers who are trying to become or stay physically fit.

11,938
Number of cosmetics, beauty supply and perfume stores in 2003. These stores carry numerous antiaging skin care products aimed at people in this age group.

Love 'em or hate 'em, the post-WWII era children have had an indelible effect on social, labor and cultural trends and will continue to do so. Strictly speaking--from a political point of view--what policies do you predict will be the hot button issues over the next 25 years as 58 million Boomers--approximately 20% of the US population--settle into the waning years of their generation?

crossposted at Unbossed