Roy Everett Butler began publishing poetry in his nineties. His work is a personal creative record, not a research study. These figures give useful context for the larger audience of older readers and makers in the United States.
Every statistic below links directly to the organization that published it. The figures come from different surveys and years, so they should be read as individual reference points rather than combined into a single measure.
61.2 million
Americans were age 65 or older in 2024
That was a 13% increase from 54.2 million in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, June 202511 states
Had more adults 65+ than children under 18 in 2024
The Census Bureau also reported this pattern in nearly half of all U.S. counties.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, June 202536 minutes
Was the average daily reading time for adults 65+
This figure is for reading on an average day in 2023, measured as part of leisure time.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey, May 202546 minutes
Was the average daily reading time for adults 75+
The 2024 American Time Use Survey found that adults 75 and older read for personal interest for 46 minutes on an average day.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey, June 202548.5%
Of U.S. adults read at least one book in 2022
The percentage was down from 52.7% in 2017 and 54.6% in 2012.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, October 202437.6%
Of U.S. adults read a novel or short story in 2022
The National Endowment for the Arts reported a decline from 41.8% in 2017 and 45.2% in 2012.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, October 202423%
Of adults 65+ created art in 2022
The National Endowment for the Arts category includes activities such as creative writing, music, visual or digital art, film, and photography.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, General Social Survey arts data, 2025Method and Sources
How to read this page
These statistics were selected from U.S. public agencies and nationally recognized research sources: the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Source dates are shown with each figure because the most recent available data vary by survey.
“Reading” is measured differently across sources. Time-use figures describe the average minutes people reported reading on an average day. The arts survey figures describe the share of adults who reported reading a book, novel, or short story during the prior year.
This page is reviewed regularly. When a source releases newer comparable data, the existing statistic and its source date will be updated while these section links remain stable.
Cite This Page
Roy Everett Butler Books. “Older Adults and Reading Statistics: 7 Facts to Know.” Updated August 14, 2026. https://royebutlerbooks.club/older-adult-reading-statistics
Explore Roy's Work
A creative life can keep opening.
Roy’s books gather poems and reflections written from a life in aviation, art, memory, companionship, and later-life curiosity.