In 2016, there were approximately 101,660 seniors—ages 65 years and older—living in Simcoe Muskoka, up from around 82,475 seniors from 2011. This population increased by 23.3% during the five year period, the fastest growing age group compared to youth aged 0-14 years (2.9%) and the working age population (15 to 64 years) (4.5%).
Simcoe Muskoka’s seniors made up 19% of Simcoe Muskoka’s total population (Simcoe at 18% and Muskoka at 25.5%, respectively) in 2016. This is higher than the percentage of seniors in the Ontario population, which was only 16.7%. Wasaga Beach had the highest proportion of seniors (33.4%) of all the municipalities in Simcoe Muskoka.
All municipalities in the District of Muskoka, except for Moose Point 79, had 20% or more of their population composed of seniors aged 65 years or more in 2016.
In 2016, the senior population ages 65 and over was made up of 54% females and 46% males. At ages 85 and over, the percentage of females increased to 64%, and males decreased to 36%.
The sex ratio gap has narrowed in Simcoe Muskoka since 2011, with the percentage of females age 85 and older decreasing in Simcoe from 67% in 2011 to 64% in 2016; likewise in Muskoka, decreasing from 69% in 2011 to 62% in 2016.
Seniors 65 – 84 years old compared to 85 years and older
When we break up the senior age category into two age groups: 65 to 84 and 85 years and older, we can see significant differences between the two age groups by sex. The percentage of females to males is higher for seniors ages 85 years, indicating females are living longer than males.
By 2041, the population of seniors 65 years and older in Simcoe Muskoka is projected to surpass 218,800, which is more than double the number of seniors from 2011.
The chart below indicates that all senior age groups will increase in population. The largest increase will occur among the 90+ age group, which will increase by 346% from 4,345 in 2015 to 19,380 in 2041. The 65 to 69 year age group population is projected to decline starting around the year 2030 and by 2033, the population of the 70 to 74 year age group will surpass the 65 to 69 year age group population.
