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Aroostook County, Maine (ME)

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Aroostook County, ME mapCounty population in 2005: 73,240 (23% urban, 77% rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 22,179
Renter-occupied apartments: 8,177
% of renters here:  27%
State:  28%
Land area: 6672 sq. mi.
Water area: 157.2 sq. mi.
Population density: 11 people per square mile 
 
  (low).
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2005: 17.2%
Aroostook County:  17.2%
Maine:  12.6%
Median age of residents in 2005: 43 years old
(Males: 43 years old, Females: 43 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 44 years old, Black residents: 8 years old, American Indian residents: 32 years old, Asian residents: 28 years old, Other race residents: 12 years old)

Residents with income below the poverty level in 1999:
This county:  14.3%
Whole state:  10.9%

Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 1999:
This county:  5.0%
Whole state:  4.1%

2008 cost of living index in Aroostook County: 85.0 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 74%
  • Government: 18%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 8%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%

Aroostook County, Maine business data: stores, dealers, real estate agents, wholesalers, restaurants...

Races in Aroostook County, Maine:

  • White Non-Hispanic (96.4%)
  • American Indian (1.8%)
  • Two or more races (0.8%)
  • Hispanic (0.6%)

Median resident age:  40.7 years
Maine median age:  38.6 years

Males: 36,095  (48.8%)
Females: 37,843  (51.2%)
Average wage per job in 2003: $25,690
County population in 2003: 73,260
Jobs in 2003: 32,643

Aroostook County, ME forum
Recent posts about Aroostook County, Maine on our local forum with over 400,000 registered users. Aroostook County is mentioned 282 times on our forum:
Maine's Own Off-Topic Thread!  (2485 replies)
Maine's Own Off-Topic Thread -- Pt.2  (1379 replies)
Why can't local people generate local power?  (58 replies)
Thinking about moving to Maine  (348 replies)
Wind turbine noise problem in Mars Hill  (337 replies)
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Total labor force in 2004: 34,679
Unemployment rate in 2004: 6.2%

Average household size:
Aroostook County:  2.4 people
Maine:  2.4 people

Median household income in 2005: $32,148
2005 median house value: $73,300
Median contract rent in 2005: $362
Median monthly housing costs in 2005: $452
Estimated median household income in 2005: $33,143 ($28,837 in 2000)
This county  $33,143
Maine:  $42,801

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $99,142
Aroostook County  $99,142
Maine:  $155,300

Median monthly rent in 2000: $364
Institutionalized population: 908
Median monthly costs for houses with a mortgage in Aroostook County in 2000: $661


Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 2
  • Assaults: 3
  • Burglaries: 46
  • Thefts: 84
  • Auto thefts: 3

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 1
  • Burglaries: 46
  • Thefts: 42
  • Auto thefts: 5

Aroostook County races chart


Aroostook County, ME map from a distance



Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2005: $1,002 (1.3%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2005: $934 (1.3%)

Area name: Aroostook County, ME
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Aroostook County is $430 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $516 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $673 a month.

Cities in this county include: Presque Isle, Caribou, Houlton, Madawaska, Fort Kent, Fort Fairfield, Van Buren, Limestone, Mapleton, Washburn.

2005 air pollution in Aroostook County:

Particulate Matter (PM10) Annual: 19 µg/m3. Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM10) 24-hour (standard limit: 150 µg/m3): 58 µg/m3. Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual (standard limit: 15.0 µg/m3): 9.0 µg/m3. Below U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 24-hour (standard limit: 35 µg/m3): 23 µg/m3. Below U.S. average.


Neighboring counties: Penobscot County , Piscataquis County , Somerset County , Washington County .


Aroostook County close-up map

Click to draw/clear county borders

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Aroostook County: Dark Cove (A), Number Six Camp (B), Wheelock Siding (C), McManus Camp (D), Whipple Camp (E), Saint Luce Station (F), Swedes Camp (G), Michaud Camp (H), Hay Shed (I), Poulins Camp (J), Caswell Plantation (K), Castonia Farm (L), Soucier Camp (M), Soucys Camp (N), McKeen Camp (O), Park Siding (P), Mahan Camp (Q), Carter Brook Camp (R), Burntland Brook Campsite (S), Forks of Machias (T). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Aroostook County include: New Limerick Freewill Baptist Church (A), State Road Church (B), Haynesville United Baptist Church (C), Pine Tree Church (D), Calvary Baptist Church (E), Oakfield Seventh Day Adventist Church (F), New Life Church (G), Amity Baptist Church (H), Calvary Pentecostal Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Foster Cemetery (1), Caldwell Cemetery (2), Oakfield Cemetery (3), Dunn Cemetery (4), Silver Ridge Cemetery (5), Robinson Cemetery (6), Smith Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Hunter Pond (A), McClusky Lake (B), Huntley Mill Pond (C), Huntley Pond (D), McAvoy Pond (E), Little Presley Lake (F), Mattawamkeag Lake (G), Mattaseunk Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Croque Brook (A), Libby Brook (B), West Inlet (C), Oak Brook (D), Paulette Brook (E), Dyer Brook (F), Durrell Brook (G), Cranberry Brook (H), Durepo Brook (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Park in Aroostook County: Thomas Park (1). Display/hide its location on the map

Beach: Gilman Beach (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Post offices: Upper Frenchville Post Office (A), Frenchville Post Office (B), Masardis Post Office (C), Clayton Lake Post Office (D), Grand Isle Post Office (E), Stockholm Post Office (F), Island Falls Post Office (G), Plaisted Post Office (H), Saint Agatha Post Office (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

 
Unemployment in September 2007:
Here:  5.6%
Maine:  4.2%


Unemployment by year (%)

County total employment by year

County average yearly wages by year ($)

Current college students: 3,541
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 76.9%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.6%

Number of foreign born residents: 4,304 (59% naturalized citizens)

Aroostook County:  5.8%
Whole state:  2.9%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • 1995 to March 2000: 578
  • 1990 to 1994: 382
  • 1985 to 1989: 226
  • 1980 to 1984: 229
  • 1975 to 1979: 226
  • 1970 to 1974: 274
  • 1970 to 1974: 466
  • 1965 to 1969: 1,923


Mean travel time to work: 18.3 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 96.1%

Aroostook County marital status for males
Aroostook County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 27,038
  • One, attached: 403
  • Two: 1,611
  • 3 or 4: 2,393
  • 5 to 9: 1,540
  • 10 to 19: 635
  • 20 or more: 887
  • Mobile homes: 4,120
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 92

Housing units in Aroostook County with a mortgage: 8,263 (583 second mortgage, 1,252 home equity loan, 23 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 6,790


Agriculture in Aroostook County
Average size of farms: 361 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $111770
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $798.49
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.56%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 3.16%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $90885
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 37.52%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 3.97%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $86980
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 87.92%
Average age of principal farm operators: 53 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 2.19
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 8.48%
Soybeans for beans: 535 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 37 acres

Aroostook County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is slightly below Maine state average. It is 5.8 times below overall U.S. average.
Tornadoes in this county have caused one fatality and 4 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004.
On 8/11/1954, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado killed one person and injured one person and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.



Class of Workers


Most common industries for males:
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (10%)
  • Construction (9%)
  • Wood products (7%)
  • Educational services (6%)
  • Paper (6%)
  • Truck transportation (6%)
  • Public administration (5%)


Most common industries for females:
  • Health care (25%)
  • Educational services (15%)
  • Accommodation and food services (6%)
  • Administrative and support and waste management services (6%)
  • Social assistance (5%)
  • Public administration (5%)
  • Food and beverage stores (4%)


Most common occupations for males
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (8%)
  • Other production occupations including supervisors (8%)
  • Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (5%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (4%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (4%)
  • Agricultural workers including supervisors (4%)


Most common occupations for females
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (6%)
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (6%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (6%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (6%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)
  • Registered nurses (4%)
  • Information and record clerks except customer service representatives (4%)


Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents:
  • Canada (84%)
  • United Kingdom (2%)
  • Germany (2%)
  • Philippines (1%)
  • Japan (1%)
  • Pakistan (1%)
  • China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (1%)


Most common first ancestries reported in Aroostook County:
  • French (except Basque) (23%)
  • United States or American (15%)
  • English (15%)
  • French Canadian (14%)
  • Irish (10%)
  • German (3%)
  • Scotch-Irish (3%)

Aroostook County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work

  • Drove a car alone: 25,460 (80%)
  • Carpooled: 3,643 (11%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 56 (0%)
  • Taxi: 103 (0%)
  • Bicycle: 28 (0%)
  • Walked: 1,263 (4%)
  • Other means: 249 (1%)
  • Worked at home: 1,155 (4%)

People in group quarters in Aroostook County, Maine
  • 799 people in nursing homes
  • 702 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
  • 332 people in job corps and vocational training facilities
  • 147 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 72 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 66 people in homes for the mentally ill
  • 65 people in other group homes
  • 46 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 24 people in other nonhousehold living situations
  • 20 people in religious group quarters
  • 18 people in schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded
  • 9 people in homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children
  • 5 people in training schools for juvenile delinquents
  • 5 people in unknown juvenile institutions
  • 2 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms

Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $40,178.

3.86% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($31,356 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  3.86%
Maine average:  6.39%

0.17% of residents moved from foreign countries ($994 average AGI)
Aroostook County:  0.17%
Maine average:  0.12%

1.55% relocated from other counties in Maine ($11,224 average AGI)
2.13% relocated from other states ($19,136 average AGI)
Aroostook County:  2.13%
Maine average:  2.95%



Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
from Penobscot County, ME  0.52% ($28,453 average AGI)
from Cumberland County, ME  0.24% ($31,516)
from York County, ME  0.14% ($25,514)
from Kennebec County, ME  0.11% ($25,069)
from Hartford County, CT  0.09% ($28,120)
from Washington County, ME  0.09% ($23,920)
from Sagadahoc County, ME  0.08% ($31,190)


4.01% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($32,517 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  4.01%
Maine average:  6.44%

0.12% of residents moved to foreign countries ($774 average AGI)
Aroostook County:  0.12%
Maine average:  0.07%

1.94% relocated to other counties in Maine ($14,944 average AGI)
1.95% relocated to other states ($16,799 average AGI)
Aroostook County:  1.95%
Maine average:  3.05%



Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
to Penobscot County, ME  0.74% ($26,056 average AGI)
to Cumberland County, ME  0.43% ($34,982)
to York County, ME  0.14% ($26,158)
to Kennebec County, ME  0.12% ($34,939)
to Androscoggin County, ME  0.08% ($26,455)
to Hancock County, ME  0.08% ($29,818)
to Knox County, ME  0.06% ($22,588)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.4
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 9.5



Births per 1000 population in Aroostook County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.9
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 11.6



Deaths per 1000 population in Aroostook County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 6.6
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2003: 4.7



Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Aroostook County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 16,002 (12,594 aged, 3,408 disabled)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 11%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 9%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 5.45
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 11978.47
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 446.930
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 75169.64

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 927.090
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1080.010
Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 4.1

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 30.23
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 60.08

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 5.46


Household type by relationship


Households: 71,618
  • In family households: 60,160 (16,428 male householders, 4,080 female householders)
    17,036 spouses, 19,708 children (18,193 natural, 491 adopted, 1,024 stepchildren), 638 grandchildren, 279 brothers or sisters, 343 parents, 417 other relatives, 1,231 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 11,458 (4,310 male householders (3,427 living alone)), 5,499 female householders (4,967 living alone)), 1,649 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 2,320 (900 institutionalized population)

Size of family households: 10,085 2-persons, 4,619 3-persons, 3,739 4-persons, 1,422 5-persons, 464 6-persons, 179 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 8,394 1-person, 1,261 2-persons, 107 3-persons, 36 4-persons, 9 5-persons, 2 6-persons.

75.9% of residents of Aroostook County speak English at home.
0.6% of residents speak Spanish at home (84% speak English very well, 12% speak English well, 4% speak English not well).
22.9% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (74% speak English very well, 20% speak English well, 6% speak English not well).
0.4% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (43% speak English very well, 43% speak English well, 11% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
0.2% of residents speak other language at home (71% speak English very well, 29% speak English well).

In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $651,468,000 ($8877 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $35,548,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $239,250,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $110,118,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $10,405,000
Federal grants: $214,343,000
Federal procurement contracts: $27,990,000 ($8,115,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $49,361,000 ($14,010,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $10,919,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $11,319,000
Federal Government insurance: $51,746,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 3,534
Here:  48 per 1000 residents
State:  54 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 4,539
Here:  62 per 1000 residents
State:  49 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +401
Here:  +5 per 1000 residents
State:  +4 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -24
Here:  -0 per 1000 residents
State:  +28 per 1000 residents



Population growth in Aroostook County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 6.09 millions of gallons per day (46% from ground, 54% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:  5.7
State:  5.9

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:  4.0
State:  4.1



Year house built:
  • 1999 to March 2000: 514
  • 1995 to 1998: 1,818
  • 1990 to 1994: 1,934
  • 1980 to 1989: 4,400
  • 1970 to 1979: 6,454
  • 1960 to 1969: 3,930
  • 1950 to 1959: 4,425
  • 1940 to 1949: 3,650
  • 1939 or earlier: 11,594

Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Aroostook County, Maine:
  • 1 room: 40
  • 2 rooms: 211
  • 3 rooms: 782
  • 4 rooms: 3,055
  • 5 rooms: 6,104
  • 6 rooms: 4,906
  • 7 rooms: 3,361
  • 8 rooms: 1,906
  • 9+ rooms: 1,814


Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Aroostook County, Maine:
  • 1 room: 155
  • 2 rooms: 670
  • 3 rooms: 2,105
  • 4 rooms: 2,239
  • 5 rooms: 1,518
  • 6 rooms: 794
  • 7 rooms: 359
  • 8 rooms: 197
  • 9+ rooms: 140


Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses and condos in Aroostook County:
  • no bedroom: 76
  • 1 bedroom: 892
  • 2 bedrooms: 5,545
  • 3 bedrooms: 10,609
  • 4 bedrooms: 3,905
  • 5+ bedrooms: 1,152


Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Aroostook County:
  • no bedroom: 197
  • 1 bedroom: 2,732
  • 2 bedrooms: 3,013
  • 3 bedrooms: 1,669
  • 4 bedrooms: 465
  • 5+ bedrooms: 101


Cars and other vehicles available in Aroostook County in owner-occupied houses/condos:
  • no vehicle: 787
  • 1 vehicle: 6,316
  • 2 vehicles: 10,824
  • 3 vehicles: 3,196
  • 4 vehicles: 789
  • 5+ vehicles: 267


Cars and other vehicles available in Aroostook County in renter-occupied apartments
  • no vehicle: 1,802
  • 1 vehicle: 4,517
  • 2 vehicles: 1,554
  • 3 vehicles: 222
  • 4 vehicles: 68
  • 5+ vehicles: 14


69% of Aroostook County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 71% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 37% lived in Maine.

Aroostook County:  68.5%
State average:  60.1%


Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 57005
  • Northeast: 6678
  • Midwest: 1419
  • South: 1623
  • West: 1109

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $39,400


Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 7%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 6%


Year Householders Moved Into Unit:

  

Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos:
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (86%)
  • Wood (12%)
  • Electricity (1%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (1%)

Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments:
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (80%)
  • Electricity (15%)
  • Wood (2%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (1%)
  • No fuel used (1%)
  • Other fuel (1%)



Private vs. public school enrollment:
Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 267
Here:  3.4%
Maine:  6.9%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 127
Here:  2.7%
Maine:  8.9%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 262
Here:  8.3%
Maine:  28.3%


Educational Attainment

School Enrollment by Level of School


Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninst.)

Aroostook County government finances in 2004:
  • Charges - All Other: $637,000
  • Construction - Regular Highways: $177,000
    Sewerage: $16,000
    Parks & Recreation: $7,000
  • Current Operations - Corrections - Other: $1,523,000
    General - Other: $1,254,000
    Police Protection: $846,000
    General Public Buildings: $421,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $389,000
    Central Staff Services: $311,000
    Welfare - Other: $257,000
    Regular Highways: $235,000
    Solid Waste Management: $53,000
    Parks & Recreation: $21,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $18,000
    Health Services - Other: $17,000
    Fire Protection: $10,000
    Libraries: $1,000
    Sewerage: $1,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - All Other: $25,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $47,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local NEC - Regular Highways: $83,000
    Fire Protection: $54,000
    Solid Waste Management: $34,000
    Health: $19,000
  • Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, NEC: $650,000
  • Long Term Debt Outstanding - Full Faith & Credit - Other, NEC: $500,000
  • Long Term Debt Retired Unspecified - Other, NEC: $150,000
  • Miscellaneous - Interest Earnings: $71,000
    General Revenue, NEC: $71,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General Public Building: $92,000
    Police Protection: $50,000
    Corrections - Other: $44,000
    Central Staff: $43,000
    Regular Highways: $23,000
    Natural Resource - Other: $9,000
    Fire Protection: $1,000
  • Other Funds - Cash & Deposits: $2,226,000
  • State Intergovernmental - All Other: $757,000
    Highways: $72,000
    Housing & Community Development: $16,000
  • Tax - Property: $4,627,000
    Motor Vehicle License: $186,000
    NEC: $2,000
  • Total Salaries & Wages: $2,700,000


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Total Number Of Recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of aged recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of blind and disabled recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients under 18

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients between 18 and 64

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients older than 64

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients also receiving OASDI