Heterogeneity of the Elderly in Large Metropolitan Areas

Abstract

This paper analyzes the degree of homogeneity of the elderly populations in large metro politan areas. For the 33 SMSAs with populations of one million or more in 1970, 18 social, economic, and demographic variables (derived from census materials) which describe the elderly in these SMSA's are examined. These data are subject to factor analysis. Factors are generated for the SMSAs (Q-analysis) and for the variables (R- analysis). Seven significant SMSA factors and five significant variable factors are produced. The conceptual meaning of the factors and their interrelationships are dis cussed. It is concluded that the elderly in large urban areas are by no means uniform in their characteristics. It is suggested, however, that the characteristics of urban elderly populations may be related to geographic location, age of city, climate, history of in- migration, and the industrial and occupational distribution of elderly citizens in cities in which these populations reside. Researchers interested in the elderly are urged to pursue the development of multidimensional taxonomies of the urban elderly.

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