Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Who Belongs?

The average middle-aged or older American belongs to 3.7 organizations, according to a study of community involvement by AARP. The number is highest among Gen Xers (aged 31 to 47) at 4.9. It falls to 3.8 among Boomers (aged 48 to 66) and the Silent generation (aged 67 to 83), and bottoms out at 2.8 among Americans aged 84 or older.

Membership in a religious organization is most popular, at 59 percent, making it the only type of organization to which the majority of middle-aged or older Americans belong. Far behind in second place is a health club, of which 23 percent of middle-aged or older Americans are members. Professional/trade/business organizations rank third, followed by neighborhood/homeowners associations.

The majority of each generation belongs to a religious organization. Membership in health clubs is highest among Gen Xers (31 percent), is a lower 22 to 23 percent among Boomers and the Silent Generation, and falls to 9 percent among Americans aged 84 or older. Membership in a neighborhood/homeowners association does not vary much by age, ranging from 18 to 21 percent.

Source: AARP, Civic Engagement among Mid-Life and Older Adults: Findings from the 2012 Survey on Civic Engagement

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