Table of Contents
Executive Summary
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- Baby Boomers’ demographics and characteristics
- Boomers account for nearly one quarter of the population
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- Figure 1: U.S. population, by generation, 2012
- Most Boomers are married—but nearly one third are on their own
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- Figure 2: Marital status, by age/generation, 2012
- Boomers’ median household income among the highest
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- Figure 3: Real median household income, by age group, 2011
- Boomers’ annual entertainment expenditures are higher than average
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- Figure 4: Average annual expenditures for selected entertainment categories, by age of CU reference person, 2010-11
- Factors driving Baby Boomer leisure trends
- Leisure time remains a premium for Younger Boomers
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- Figure 5: Average hours per day spent in primary activities, by age indexed total, 2011
- Boomers noted for being youthful, but health statistics tell a different story
- The consumer
- Majority of Baby Boomers live with a spouse; one in five live alone
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- Figure 6: Baby Boomers’ current living situation for potential leisure companions, by gender and age, October 2012
- One third of Boomers do not feel that they have enough leisure time
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- Figure 7: Perception of amount of leisure time, by generation, October 2012
- Boomers’ leisure preferences
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- Figure 8: Baby Boomers’ leisure-time preferences, October 2012
- Most Boomers don’t anticipate changes to leisure spending
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- Figure 9: How Baby Boomers anticipate spending on leisure activities to change, by gender and age, October 2012
- Solo leisure activities are the most common
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- Figure 10: Baby Boomers’ current participation in leisure activities, October 2012
- Slightly less than half of 45-64s exercise regularly
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- Figure 11: Participation in regular exercise in the last 12 months, April 2011-June 2012
- Boomers rely on a wide variety of sources for leisure information
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- Figure 12: Information sources used by Baby Boomers for leisure-time activities, October 2012
- Boomer women are more concerned than men with financing leisure
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- Figure 13: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward finances for leisure, by gender, October 2012
- Technology and internet has a growing impact on Boomers’ leisure time
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- Figure 14: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by age, October 2012
- About eight in 10 Boomers are white; nearly nine in 10 are non-Hispanic
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- Figure 15: Baby Boomers’ race/Hispanic origin, 2012
- What we think
Issues in the Market
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- Will leisure get a boost from Baby Boomers reaching retirement age?
- Do current leisure offerings answer the needs of aging Baby Boomers?
- Are finances an issue for Baby Boomers to fund leisure activities?
- How has technology impacted Baby Boomers’ leisure time?
Insights and Opportunities
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- Modify leisure activities to accommodate aging Baby Boomers
- Golf: Innovative formats and programs may attract lapsed Boomers back to the game
- Camping: a “lite” alternative
- Movies: give Boomers a break
- Exercising: classes and programs fit for a Boomer
- Consider the companions part I: kids and grandkids
- Theme parks and vacations: Boomers funding family vacations
- Dining out: Boomers enjoying the grandkids
- Consider the companions part II: spouses and going solo
- Six in 10 Boomers spend most of their leisure time with a spouse
- More than half of Boomers say they prefer to spend their leisure time alone
Trend Application
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- Inspire Trend: The Power of One
- Inspire Trend: Om Heads West
- Inspire 2015 Trend
- Old Gold
Demographics and Characteristics of Baby Boomers
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- Key points
- Baby Boomers account for nearly one quarter of the population
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- Figure 16: U.S. population, by generation, 2012
- The vast majority of Baby Boomers are white and non-Hispanic
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- Figure 17: Share of U.S. population by generation, by race/Hispanic origin, 2012
- Baby Boomers are most married—and divorced—generation
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- Figure 18: Marital status, by age/generation, 2012
- Household size and presence of children in household
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- Figure 19: Household size, by generation of householder, 2012
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- Figure 20: Households with own children, by generation of householder, 2012
- Boomers have highest household income—suffered greatest losses
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- Figure 21: Income distribution of households, by generation, 2011
- Figure 22: Real median household income, by age group, peak income year vs. 2011 income
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- Figure 23: Percent change in real median income, by age of householder, June 2009-June 2012
- Baby Boomers value education
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- Figure 24: Educational attainment, by age/generation, 2011
- Baby Boomers not as fit as expected; obesity is prevalent
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- Figure 25: Healthy weight/overweight/obesity rates of Baby Boomers, 2007-10
Baby Boomers’ Entertainment Spending
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- Key points
- Baby Boomers spend the most on entertainment
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- Figure 26: Average annual expenditures for selected entertainment categories, by age of CU reference person, 2010-11
- Boomers are spending on out-of-home entertainment
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- Figure 27: Average annual expenditures for fees and admissions, by age of CU reference person, 2010-11
- Boomers shift spending priorities in face of rising costs
- Boomers are spending more on education
- Boomers are spending more on adult children
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- Figure 28: Change in share of expenditures across major categories by 45-54s and 55-64s, 1991 vs. 2011
Factors Driving Baby Boomer Leisure Trends
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- Key points
- Leisure time still a premium among Younger Boomers
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- Figure 29: Average hours per day spent in primary activities, by age indexed to total, 2011
- Four in 10 householders aged 45-49 have children
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- Figure 30: Households with own children, by age of householder, 2012
- Baby Boomers remain active in the workforce
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- Figure 31: Civilian labor force participation rates by age, 1990, 2000, 2010, and projected 2020
- “Aging in place” is a common theme among Baby Boomers
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- Figure 32: Change in numbers of Baby Boomers’ and senior population, by states and selected metro areas, 2000-10
- Health and well-being: associated with Boomers…but statistics don’t lie
Innovations and Innovators
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- Watching TV: TV Ears helps the hard of hearing
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- Figure 33: TV Ears, 2012
- Casinos: have a seat
- Golf: modifying the course to help golfers have more fun
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- Figure 34: Tee It Forward
- Exercise: Silver Sneakers, innovative classes and gyms
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- Figure 35: Silver Sneakers, 2012
- Gardening: GoGo Gardens
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- Figure 36: GoGo Garden units, April 2012
- Going to the movies: upgrading the experience
Marketing Strategies
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- Casinos
- Current participation
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- Figure 37: Past 12 month U.S. casino visitation, by generation, August 2012
- Marketing strategies: offering age-related incentives; promoting the whole experience
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- Figure 38: Pechanga Resort & Casino “Experience It All” TV ad, 2012
- Golf
- Current participation
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- Figure 39: Golf playing incidence, by generation, July 2012
- Marketing strategies: offering incentives, providing instruction
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- Figure 40: Gilt city Chicago Masters Golf Package daily deal, September 2012
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- Figure 41: Get golf ready website, October 2012
- Figure 42: Get golf ready YouTube video, July 2009
- Exercise and fitness
- Current participation
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- Figure 43: Currently participate in exercise during leisure time, by generation, October 2012, and past seven day exercise incidence and exertion level, by generation, May 2012
- Marketing strategies: no pressure incentives, making fitness fun
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- Figure 44: Curves “Women’s Health” TV ad, May 2012
- Cooking for fun
- Current participation
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- Figure 45: Cooking segments, by generation, July 2012
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- Figure 46: Cooking and baking for fun in the past 12 months, by Baby Boomers’ gender and age groups, April 2011-June 2012
- Marketing strategies: Boomer celebrity chefs share expertise and experiences
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- Figure 47: Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show print ad, September 2012
- Gardening
- Current participation
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- Figure 48: Household outdoor spaces, by generation, January 2012
- Figure 49: Gardening in the past 12 months, by Baby Boomers’ gender and age groups, April 2011-June 2012
- Marketing strategies: Focus on the results—provide a sense of accomplishment
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- Figure 50: Home Depot, “Colorize” TV ad, June 2012
- Going to the movies
- Current participation
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- Figure 51: Incidence of going to the movies during leisure time, by generation, October 2012
- Marketing strategies: print advertising rules, upscale amenities may draw Boomers
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- Figure 52: iPic Theaters web commercial, April 2012
Living Situation and Typical Leisure Companions
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- Key points
- Living situation influences leisure companions—and activities
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- Figure 53: Baby Boomers’ current living situation for potential leisure companions, by gender and age, October 2012
- Boomers’ affluence and living situation are highly correlated
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- Figure 54: Incidence of Baby Boomers living with a spouse or significant other vs. living alone, by household income, October 2012
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- Figure 55: Baby Boomers’ current living situation for potential leisure companions, by household income, October 2012
- Baby Boomers spend nearly half their personal leisure time alone
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- Figure 56: Share of Baby Boomers’ leisure time spent alone and with others, October 2012
- Boomers spend most time with spouse/partner, have a wide social circle
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- Figure 57: Baby Boomers’ typical leisure-time companions, October 2012
Perception of Amount of Leisure Time
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- Key points
- More than one third of Boomers don’t have enough leisure time
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- Figure 58: Perception of amount of leisure time, by generation, October 2012
- Nearly half of Younger Boomer men don’t have enough leisure time
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- Figure 59: Baby Boomers’ perception of amount of leisure time, by gender and age, October 2012
- Working full-time deters leisure
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- Figure 60: Baby Boomers’ perception of amount of leisure time, by employment, October 2012
- Less affluent Boomers are more likely to have too much leisure time
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- Figure 61: Baby Boomers’ perception of amount of leisure time, by household income, October 2012
Leisure Preferences
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- Key points
- Generational (age-related) leisure preference trends are evident
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- Figure 62: Leisure time preferences, by generation, October 2012
- Among Boomers, age impacts preferences of men more so than women
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- Figure 63: Baby Boomers’ leisure-time preferences, by gender and age, October 2012
- Affluence correlates with desire for company, activity, offline interaction
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- Figure 64: Baby Boomers’ leisure-time preferences, by household income, October 2012
Spending on Leisure Activities
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- Key points
- Leisure spending didn’t/won’t change for about half of Baby Boomers
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- Figure 65: Past and anticipated change in spend on leisure activities by Baby Boomers, October 2012
- Boomer women more likely than men to plan on cutting back
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- Figure 66: Past and anticipated change in spend on leisure activities by Baby Boomers, by gender and age, October 2012
- Household income greatest determinant on future leisure spending
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- Figure 67: Past and anticipated change in spend on leisure activities by Baby Boomers, by household income, October 2012
Leisure Activities
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- Key points
- Baby Boomers’ current participation and interest in leisure activities
- Insight: Boomers want to go to the movies…but relatively few currently go
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- Figure 68: Baby Boomers’ current participation and interest in leisure activities, October 2012
- Older Boomer women—doing it all?
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- Figure 69: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by gender and age, October 2012
- Affluent Boomers participate in greater range of leisure activities
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- Figure 70: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by household income, October 2012
- Boomer women have interest in a wider range of out-of-home activities
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- Figure 71: Baby Boomers’ interest in leisure activities, by gender and age, October 2012
- Boomers’ desired leisure activities in community
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- Figure 72: Baby Boomers’ desired leisure activities in community, by gender and age, October 2012
- Participation in out-of-home leisure activities lags compared to in-home
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- Figure 73: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure activities, by age, and by gender and age, April 2011-June 2012
Leisure Hobbies
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- Key points
- Adults aged 45-64 participate in a variety of leisure hobbies
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- Figure 74: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure hobbies, April 2007-June 2012
- Similar to leisure activities, affluence drives participation in hobbies
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- Figure 75: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure hobbies, by household income, April 2011-June 2012
Exercise Participation
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- Key points
- Slightly less than half of 45-64s exercise regularly
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- Figure 76: Participation in regular exercise in the last 12 months, by age, April 2011-June 2012
- Regular exercise participation among 45-64s consistent over five years
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- Figure 77: Baby Boomers’ participation in regular exercise in the last 12 months, April 2007-June 2012
- Women aged 45-64 are more likely than men to exercise regularly
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- Figure 78: Baby Boomers’ incidence of having a regular exercise program, by gender and age groups, April 2011-June 2012
Clubs and Organizations
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- Key points
- Membership in clubs and organizations increases with age
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- Figure 79: Baby Boomers’ membership in clubs and organizations, by Baby Boomers vs. pre-Boomers and post-Boomers, April 2011-June 2012
- Among 45-64s, membership in clubs overall has declined slightly
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- Figure 80: Baby Boomers’ membership in clubs and organizations, April 2007-June 2012
- Affluent 45-64s are slightly more likely to belong to clubs, organizations
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- Figure 81: Baby Boomers’ membership in clubs and organizations, by household income, April 2011-June 2012
Information Sources Used for Leisure-Time Activities
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- Key points
- Boomers rely on a wide variety of sources for leisure information
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- Figure 82: Information sources used for leisure-time activities, by generation, October 2012
- Older Boomer women drawing inspiration from the most sources
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- Figure 83: Baby Boomers’ information sources used for leisure-time activities, by gender and age, October 2012
- Overall, household income has little effect on resources uses
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- Figure 84: Baby Boomers’ information sources used for leisure-time activities, by household income, October 2012
Attitudes Toward Leisure Time
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- Key points
- Financial concerns about leisure diminish with age; control increases
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- Figure 85: Attitudes toward leisure time, by generation, October 2012
- Boomer women more concerned with finances
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- Figure 86: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward leisure time, by gender, October 2012
- Least affluent most have the most control, stay close to home
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- Figure 87: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward leisure time, by household income, October 2012
Attitudes Toward Technology and Leisure Time
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- Key points
- Technology use for leisure less prevalent with older generations
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- Figure 88: Attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by generation, October 2012
- Younger Boomer men and women use technology differently
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- Figure 89: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by gender and age, October 2012
- Half of Boomers say time spent using social networking is unchanged
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- Figure 90: Baby Boomers’ change in time spent on social networking sites for leisure, by gender, October 2012
Impact of Race/Hispanic Origin
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- Overview
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- Figure 91: Baby Boomers’ by race/Hispanic origin, 2012
- Key points
- Less than half of black Boomers live with a spouse
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- Figure 92: Baby Boomers’ current living situation for potential leisure companions, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- Black Boomers spend the most time solo
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- Figure 93: Baby Boomers’ share of leisure time spent alone and with others, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
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- Figure 94: Baby Boomers’ typical leisure-time companions, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- One quarter of Black Boomers have “too much” leisure time
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- Figure 95: Baby Boomers’ perception of amount of leisure time, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- About six in 10 black Boomers prefer to spend time alone; online
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- Figure 96: Baby Boomers’ leisure-time preferences, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- Black Boomers spending more on leisure activities—plan to keep spending
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- Figure 97: Past and anticipated change in spend on leisure activities by Baby Boomers, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- Top leisure activities relatively similar across race/Hispanic origin
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- Figure 98: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- Black Boomers most positive toward proposed local leisure activities
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- Figure 99: Baby Boomers’ desired leisure activities in community, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- Black Boomers’ out-of-home leisure participation lags compared with white Boomers’
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- Figure 100: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure activities, by race/Hispanic origin, April 2011-June 2012
- Compared with white Boomers, black Boomers’ leisure hobby participation also lags
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- Figure 101: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure hobbies, by race/Hispanic origin, April 2011-June 2012
- Information sources used for leisure-time activities trend similarly
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- Figure 102: Baby Boomers’ information sources used for leisure-time activities, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- Attitudes toward leisure time, in general, are similar
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- Figure 103: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward leisure time, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
- Attitudes toward technology and leisure time are also similar, overall
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- Figure 104: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by race/Hispanic origin, October 2012
Appendix: Category Definitions
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- American Time Use Survey category definitions
- Cooking segment category definitions
Appendix: Spending Habits and Additional Demographics
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- Baby Boomers’ spending habits
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- Figure 105: Change in share of expenditures across major categories by 45-54s and 55-64s, 1991 vs. 2011
- Source: Mintel/Consumer Expenditure Survey, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Figure 107: Distribution of average annual expenditures for selected entertainment categories, by age of CU reference person, 2010-11
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- Figure 108: Average annual expenditures for audiovisual and electronic gaming, by age of CU reference person, 2010-11
- Figure 109: Indexed average annual expenditures for audiovisual and electronic gaming, by age of CU reference person, 2010-11
- Figure 110: Indexed average annual expenditures for fees and admissions, by age of CU reference person, 2010-11
- Hours per day spent in primary activities
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- Figure 111: Average hours per day spent in primary activities, by age, 2011
- Figure 112: Average hours per day spent in primary activities, by men’s age, 2011
- Figure 113: Average hours per day spent in primary activities, by women’s age, 2011
- Additional demographic tables
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- Figure 114: U.S. population, by age, 2007-17
- Figure 115: Marital status of Boomers age 50-64, by gender, 2012
- Figure 116: Educational attainment of Boomers age 50-64, by gender, 2011
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- Figure 117: Homeownership rate, by age of householder, 2001-11
- Figure 118: Prevalence of two or more of nine selected chronic conditions among adults aged 45 and older, by age and gender, 1999-2000 and 2009-2010
Appendix: Other Useful Consumer Tables
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- Living situation and typical leisure companions
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- Figure 119: Current living situation for potential leisure companions, by generation, October 2012
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- Figure 120: Baby Boomers’ current living situation for potential leisure companions, by age, October 2012
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- Figure 121: Baby Boomers’ current living situation for potential leisure companions, by perception of amount of leisure time, October 2012
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- Figure 122: Share of leisure time spent alone and with others, by generation, October 2012
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- Figure 123: Share of Baby Boomers’ leisure time spent alone and with others, by gender and age, October 2012
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- Figure 124: Share of Baby Boomers’ leisure time spent alone and with others, by household income, October 2012
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- Figure 125: Share of Baby Boomers’ leisure time spent alone and with others, by perception of amount of leisure time, October 2012
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- Figure 126: Share of Baby Boomers’ leisure time spent alone and with others, by leisure-time preferences, October 2012
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- Figure 127: Typical leisure-time companions, by generation, October 2012
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- Figure 128: Baby Boomers’ typical leisure-time companions, by gender and age, October 2012
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- Figure 129: Baby Boomers’ typical leisure-time companions, by household income, October 2012
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- Figure 130: Baby Boomers’ typical leisure-time companions, by marital status, October 2012
- Perception of amount of leisure time
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- Figure 131: Baby Boomers’ perception of amount of leisure time, by marital status, October 2012
- Leisure preferences
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- Figure 132: Baby Boomers’ leisure-time preferences, by marital status, October 2012
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- Figure 133: Baby Boomers’ leisure-time preferences, by gender and household income, October 2012
- Spending on leisure activities
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- Figure 134: Past and anticipated change in spend on leisure activities by Baby Boomers, by gender and household income, October 2012
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- Figure 135: Past and anticipated change in spend on leisure activities by Baby Boomers, by perception of amount of leisure time, October 2012
- Leisure activities and hobbies
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- Figure 136: Leisure activities currently participate in, by generation, October 2012
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- Figure 137: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by gender, October 2012
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- Figure 138: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by marital status, October 2012
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- Figure 139: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by gender and household income, October 2012
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- Figure 140: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by perception of amount of leisure time, October 2012
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- Figure 141: Leisure activities Baby Boomers currently participate in, by leisure-time preferences, October 2012
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- Figure 142: Leisure activities Baby Boomers are not interested in participating in, by gender, October 2012
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- Figure 143: Leisure activities Baby Boomers are not interested in participating in, by household income, October 2012
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- Figure 144: Desired leisure activities in community, by generation, October 2012
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- Figure 145: Baby Boomers’ desired leisure activities in community, by gender, October 2012
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- Figure 146: Baby Boomers’ desired leisure activities in community, by household income, October 2012
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- Figure 147: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure activities, April 2007-June 2012
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- Figure 148: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure activities, by gender, April 2011-June 2012
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- Figure 149: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month leisure activities, household income, April 2011-June 2012
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- Figure 150: Past 12 month leisure hobbies, by Baby Boomers’ gender and age groups, April 2011-June 2012
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- Figure 151: Cooking frequency, attitudes, and skill level, by generation, July 2012
- Out of home and live entertainment
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- Figure 152: Baby Boomers’ past 12 month live theater/concerts/dance attendance, April 2007-June 2012
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- Figure 153: Past 12 month live theater/concerts/dance attendance, by Baby Boomers vs. pre-Boomers and post-Boomers, April 2011-June 2012
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- Figure 154: Average number of Baby Boomers’ visits to live theater/concerts/dance in the past 12 months, April 2007-June 2012
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- Figure 155: Baby Boomers’ casino visits in the last 12 months and number of visits, April 2007-June 2012
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- Figure 156: Baby Boomers’ casino visits in the last 12 months and number of visits, by gender and age groups, April 2011-June 2012
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- Figure 157: Baby Boomers’ average number of visits to live theater/concerts/dance in the past 12 months, April 2007-June 2012
- Exercise participation
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- Figure 158: Exercise venues used by Baby Boomers, by gender and age groups, April 2011-June 2012
- Information sources used for leisure-time activities
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- Figure 159: Baby Boomers’ information sources used for leisure-time activities, October 2012
- Attitudes toward leisure time
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- Figure 160: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward leisure time, by perception of amount of leisure time, October 2012
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- Figure 161: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward leisure time, by gender and age, October 2012
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- Figure 162: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward leisure time, by leisure preferences, October 2012
- Attitudes toward technology and leisure time
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- Figure 163: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by age, October 2012
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- Figure 164: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by household income, October 2012
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- Figure 165: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by presence of children in household, October 2012
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- Figure 166: Baby Boomers’ attitudes toward using technology and the internet during leisure time, by Leisure-time preferences, October 2012
- Change in time spent on social networking sites for leisure
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- Figure 167: Baby Boomers’ change in time spent on social networking sites for leisure, by gender, October 2012
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- Figure 168: Baby Boomers’ change in time spent on social networking sites for leisure, by gender and income, October 2012
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- Figure 169: Change in time spent on social networking sites for leisure, by leisure-time preferences, October 2012
- Collecting and collectables
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- Figure 170: Items Baby Boomers collect, April 2007-June 2012
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- Figure 171: Items Baby Boomers collect, by gender and age groups, April 2011-June 2012
Appendix: Organizations and Associations
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