Staying active is about more than exercise. It is about keeping the strength, balance and confidence to move through daily life on your own terms.
This collection brings together the most useful national data points for conversations about healthy aging, fall prevention and older adult fitness. Every statistic links to its original source and includes the date behind the number.
Key numbers
The facts behind confident movement
No. 1
Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older.
CDC, Older Adult Falls Data, September 4, 202614M+
More than 14 million older adults report falling each year, about 1 in 4 adults 65 and older.
CDC, Older Adult Falls Data, September 4, 202621%
The age-adjusted fall death rate for adults 65 and older increased from 2018 to 2024.
CDC, Older Adult Falls Data, September 4, 202695%+
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls among older adults.
CDC STEADI patient resources, May 21, 2024290,130
Older adults were hospitalized for hip fractures in 2019.
CDC, Hip Fracture-Related Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations, 2019 data55.8M
People in the United States were 65 or older in the 2020 Census, representing 16.8% of the population.
U.S. Census Bureau, May 25, 2023, reporting 2020 Census data38.6%
The U.S. population age 65 and older grew from 2010 to 2020, its fastest growth rate for any decade since 1880 to 1890.
U.S. Census Bureau, May 25, 2023, reporting 2020 Census data150 min
The federal guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity each week for adults.
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, 20182 days
Adults should include muscle-strengthening activity on 2 or more days each week.
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, 2018What the numbers mean
Movement is a practical form of independence.
Falls are common, but they are not an inevitable part of aging. The same skills that make everyday life feel easier, getting up from a chair, stepping onto a curb, carrying a bag, turning quickly, are the skills that support a more capable, confident life.
The federal physical activity guidelines add an important point for older adults: weekly movement should include more than one kind of activity. Aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening work and multicomponent activity that includes balance training all have a place. The right starting point depends on the person, their health and what they want to keep doing.
Read Fit-Rx guidance on balance exercises for seniorsMethodology and sources
How to use this page
This page uses public U.S. government sources and source publications. Figures are shown as reported by the original source, with the underlying data year or reporting date stated next to each statistic. It is a general reference, not individualized medical advice.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Older Adult Falls Data, updated September 4, 2026
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STEADI patient resources, hip fracture materials dated May 21, 2024
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hip Fracture-Related Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations, 2019 data
- U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Older Population Grew From 2010 to 2020, published May 25, 2023
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, 2018
Cite this page
Fit-Rx Fort Collins. “Older Adult Fitness and Fall Prevention Statistics (2026).” Updated September 15, 2026. https://fit-rx.net/older-adult-fitness-statistics