National Center on Women & Aging
2002 National Poll on Women 50+
Issue Brief Series Issue No. 2Women of Color
Page 1
General Demographics
Mirroring the general population, 13 percent of the women in the NCWA 2002 poll identified themselves as a member of a racial or ethnic group other than “white” or “Caucasian.” Compared to the “Caucasian” group, this group is, on average, three years younger, with the largest subgroup (45 percent) concentrated in the 50-59 age range.
While there was no difference in mean income by race, minority women were significantly more likely to have the lowest incomes. Nearly 28 percent of minority women had incomes less than $12,500 vs. 14 percent of Caucasian women. However, minority and non-minority women were almost equally likely to have incomes ranging from $12,500 to $24,999 (18% vs. 21%).
Significant racial ethnic differences by race and marital status existed for these age 50+ women. The minority women in the poll were considerably less likely to be married (43% vs. 59%). They were almost twice as likely to be divorced (24% vs. 13%) and three times as likely to never have married (9% vs. 3%).
On average, educational attainment levels appear to be similar for minority and non-minority groups. However, there were significant differences at either end of the spectrum. A greater percentage of minority women than non-minority women did not have high school diplomas (15% vs. 8%). Interestingly, this difference reversed itself at the highest educational attainment level. Here, minority women were significantly more likely to have had graduated from college or earned advanced degrees (30% vs. 20%).
Health
When asked to rate their health , minority women were significantly less likely (60% vs. 71%) to report “good” or better health. However, when queried about their mental health, no differences appeared between the groups. Further, women of color were no more likely than Caucasian women to claim they had a health condition that limited their ability to carry out important daily activities.
More aches and pains. Every time there's a test done, they find something. I have to wear a brace for my ankles, don't have much energy. — Iowa, 57
…I had a diabetic stroke in my left foot. — Louisiana, 69
Because of the illness, and my eyesight is not very good. — Michigan, 84
More aches and pains. — Virginia, 54
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