LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Cobb woman sustained major injuries on Sunday in a wreck on Highway 175.
Angelina Guillen, 31, was flown to a regional trauma center following the crash, which occurred at approximately 3:13 p.m. Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.
The CHP said Guillen was driving her 2009 Jeep Liberty eastbound on Highway 175 in Cobb, just west of Highway 29 when, for reasons still under investigation, she allowed her vehicle to run off the roadway.
Guillen’s Jeep hit a power pole and two trees, with her Jeep sustaining extensive damage, the CHP said.
After being removed from the vehicle by medical personnel, Guillen was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to the CHP report.
Guillen was wearing her seat belt when the crash occurred, the CHP said.
The CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected of being factors in this crash.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors will start off the new year by considering participation in a good faith negotiating process with the city of Lakeport relating to the city’s proposed annexation of the South Main Street corridor.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
The meeting will include the election of the board chair and vice chair for the new year.
On the agenda is the board’s consideration of approving the county’s good faith participation in the Lake Local Agency Formation Commission’s proposed process outlined in its letter dated Dec. 4, 2019, with respect to the city of Lakeport’s application for the South Main Annexation Project.
On the consent agenda, the board is due to consider and approve the Code Enforcement officer safety personnel protective equipment policies and procedures for body armor and pepper spray.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT ITEMS
5.1: Approve additional leave of absence request for Probation Department, Deputy Probation Officer III Claudia Acosta from Jan. 11, 2020, to March 9, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.2: Approve additional leave of absence request for Department of Social Services, Eligibility Specialist III Gary Pepper from Dec. 18, 2019, to Jan. 5, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.3: Approve first amendment to second amended second agreement with Golden State Finance Authority for Residence Emergency Disaster Assistance and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.4: Approve Code Enforcement officer safety personnel protective equipment policies and procedures for body armor and pepper spray.
5.5: Approve acceptance of $10,000 donation for the Middletown Branch of the Lake County Library.
5.6: Approve agreement between Lake County Probation Department and the California Franchise Tax Board from the date of approval through Nov. 30, 2022. The state will receive a maximum of 15 percent of collected fines and fees referred to them by Lake County Probation; and authorize the chief probation officer to sign.
5.7: Approve Amendment One between the County of Lake and Lake County Community Radio, Inc. for the Facility Space License Agreement located at 9289 Konocti Road, Kelseyville, CA (Buckingham Peak) in the reduced amount of $500 per month and authorize the Chair to sign.
5.8: Approve amendment one between the county of Lake and Bennet Omalu Pathology for a five-year cost plan and fee schedule for pathology services at an estimated cost increase of $68,400 and authorize the chairman to sign.
5.9: Approve memorandum of agreement between the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office for mutual aid provided during the Kincade fire and authorize the sheriff/coroner to sign.
5.10: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Brain Learning Psychological Corp. for learning disability testing and evaluation services in the amount of $67,500 from Jan. 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:01 a.m.: Election of chair of the Board of Supervisors and vice chair of the Board of Supervisors for 2020 (outgoing Chair conducts election).
6.2, 9:02 a.m.: Sitting as the Lake County Board of Equalization, election of chair and vice chair of the Lake County Local Board of Equalization for 2020.
6.3, 9:03 a.m.: Sitting as the Lake County In-Home Supportive Services, election of chair and vice chair of the Lake County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Board of Directors for 2020.
6.4, 9:05 a.m.: Public input.
6.5, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation by First 5 - State of Our Children Project.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of chair's recommended 2020 committee assignments for members of the Board of Supervisors.
7.3: Consideration of motion to approve the county’s good faith participation in the Lake Local Agency Formation Commission’s proposed process outlined in its letter dated Dec. 4, 2019, with respect to the city of Lakeport’s application for the South Main Annexation Project.
7.4: Consideration of the addition of special meeting to the board’s annual meeting calendar for 2020.
7.5: Consideration of the following appointments: Cobb Municipal Advisory Council, Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors, Lower Lake Waterworks District One Board of Directors, Mental Health Board, Upper Lake Cemetery District and Western Region Town Hall.
7.6: a) Consideration of amendment one to tower space license agreement between the county of Lake and Lake County Sanitation District; and b) (Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors) consideration of amendment one to tower space license agreement between the county of Lake and Lake County Sanitation District.
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On the last evening of 2019, a steady stream of loyal customers arrived at a cherished local eatery.
They came not only to share a holiday celebration but to give flowers, raise a bubbling glass and express heartfelt cheers to the original proprietor, Marie Beery, who opened the beloved establishment in 2001.
The Saw Shop Gallery Bistro closed at midnight 2019 and become the Saw Shop Public House restaurant at the entrance of 2020, with the new owner and county resident Weston Seifert at the helm of the Saw Shop legacy.
As the reservations were arriving and the staff was preparing for a very busy New Year’s Eve service, there weren’t many people in the building who were not aware of the significance of the moment.
That spoke to the loyalty Beery has inspired through creating and maintaining the quality of the Saw Shop as a fine dining restaurant, and through her steady philanthropy in so many areas of the Lake County community.
Beery was named Lake County Woman of the Year in 2019. Congressman Mike Thompson said, “Marie’s hard work and dedication has touched every part of the Lake County community; from business to agriculture to charitable work to mentorship, her work boosts the entire area. As a business leader, she has helped to put Lake County food and wine on the map. As a community leader, she’s helped support many important charitable causes.”
Beery’s staff is known to be as loyal as her customers. Brad Brin, one of the earliest servers and longest employed staff member of the Saw Shop, recalled that from day one Beery emphasized that the guests “should feel at home the moment they walk in the door.”
Brin also noted Beery’s steadfast generosity in supporting charitable causes, local schools and artists. Honing her business career in the wine industry during a time when women in the workplace were consistently undervalued, Beery is known by her refreshing and, at times, startling directness.
At a time when the county continues to struggle with the impacts of cyclical fire disasters, Main Street in Kelseyville is revitalized through the efforts of the Kelseyville Business Association.
“Marie Beery and the Saw Shop have been an anchor of Main Street,” said incoming KBA President Sabrina Andrus, owner of the A&H General Store and Maker, a handmade specialty boutique.
Although Beery will remain active in the community, most notably through the annual Lake County Wine Auction – which has raised nearly $2 million for charitable causes since 1998 – her departure from the Saw Shop is big news for the town of Kelseyville and the entire Lake County community.
Melissa Chapman of Chapman Real Estate, who brokered the selling process, emphasized how important it was to find a good match for the Saw Shop. Weston Seifert is not only a local but a former employee and customer of the Saw Shop.
Originally from Minnesota, Seifert and his wife Terra have lived in Lake County since 2008. Their daughter Quinn and son Fletcher were born in Lake County.
The entire family will be involved with the enterprise of running the Saw Shop Public House. Weston Seifert’s extensive background in many facets of the restaurant industry is similarly aligned with a passion for community.
He described his definition of success as being measured by customer satisfaction and “going the extra mile.”
“This is a very special place,” said Seifert recently, as he sat at the Saw Shop’s hand-carved black walnut bar, where he once tended.
His vision for the restaurant, which is now named the Saw Shop Public House, includes continued philanthropy and an emphasis on staff development and education.
The Saw Shop Public House will continue to operate during the transition process, with Executive Chef Sergio Ramos and Sous Chef Essie Negrete keeping the culinary standards intact.
Seifert said it’s important to him to keep staff employment continuous during the transition, which includes installing a new computer system. He asked for the public to be patient during this process.
There will be questions that only the new owner can answer and only in real-time, as he guides the restaurant forward with his vision.
But one thing is certain; the Saw Shop has been at the heart of the community with Marie Beery at its very center. That heart is acknowledged as the Saw Shop legacy continues, in good hands.
Casey Carney was the 2014-2016 Poet Laureate of Lake County and first started working at the Saw Shop Bistro in 2011.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two young Lake County men started the police academy this week as they work to become Lakeport Police officers.
The Lakeport Police Department said Juan Altamirano and Aaron Hodges are the newest recruits in the agency’s police recruits program.
Altamirano and Hodges started work at the police department on Dec. 30 and began their studies at the police academy on Monday, the agency reported.
The two young men were selected during the city’s most recent police trainee recruitment process in the fall.
Police Chief Brad Rasmussen introduced the officer trainee program in 2015 in an attempt to retain officers and solve his department’s ongoing short staffing challenges.
Under the auspices of the program, the department pays for the trainees’ academy training, expected to last about 20 weeks.
Lakeport Police Officer Andrew Welter completed the program in 2016 and has remained with the department.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – In its first meeting of the year, the Lakeport City Council will consider approving an assistant city manager classification and update the city’s master pay schedule accordingly.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Administrative Services Director Kelly Buendia is asking the council to approve the assistant city manager classification – already included in the 2019-20 fiscal year budget – and update the master pay schedule as part of a city leadership succession plan the council authorized at its June 18 meeting.
“The purpose of the Assistant City Manager assignment was to provide training opportunities for executive staff that were interested in the City Manager position in the future,” Buendia wrote in her report to the council.
She said the successful applicant, or applicants, would be expected to attend trainings, meetings and receive assignments that are outside of their area of expertise.
Buendia said that during discussion of the 2019-20 budget, the city council was asked to approve funds for a full-time assistant city manager position, to be filled at mid-year.
“The funds for half of a year were approved in the budget and the position listed in the position allocation worksheet. At that time, staff indicated the item would be returned so that the classification could be approved,” Buendia wrote.
The proposed salary range is $8,466 to $10,290 per month and is comparable for the area, Buendia wrote. Her report noted that the total fiscal impact is $85,000.
If the city council approves the new classification, Buendia said staff is requesting that the council also adopt a resolution revising the city’s master pay schedule for all represented employee classifications and all unrepresented employees covered by a compensation plan. That is required so that the city is in compliance with the requirements of the California Code of Regulations section 570.5 and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System relating to publicly available pay schedules.
The meeting will include the presentation of the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Finance Director Nick Walker on behalf of the city of Lakeport.
Under council business, Buendia also will ask the council to receive and file a compliance and implementation plan for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the council will consider approving a resolution rescinding Resolution 2715 (2019) and revising the master pay schedule in conformance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5.
In other business, Mayor George Spurr will appoint council members as liaisons to various boards, committees and commissions; the council will consider adopting a resolution appointing representatives to represent and vote on behalf of the City at the League of California Cities, Redwood Empire Division business meetings and represent the city and vote at Division Legislative Committee meetings.
Finance Director Nick Walker will present a resolution approving the revised administrative policy for utilities billing effective Feb. 1 and ask the council to adopt a resolution approving the revised service deposits for new water accounts effective Feb. 1.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Dec. 17; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; approve the Recognized Obligation Schedule for the period of July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, for presentation and adoption by the Lakeport Redevelopment Oversight Board; and authorization for out-of-state travel as requested by the city manager for Councilmember Mireya Turner to attend the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference to be held in Washington, DC, March 7 to 11.
A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed the authorship of the report on the assistant city manager job to City Manager Margaret Silveira, rather than Administrative Services Director Kelly Buendia.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters spent several hours working on the scene of a structure fire in Upper Lake on Saturday evening.
Northshore Fire firefighters along with Cal Fire and Lakeport Fire were dispatched to the incident in the 1800 block of Clover Valley Road shortly before 7:30 p.m. Saturday, according to radio reports.
Firefighters responding to the scene reported that they could see the fire up on a ridge from as far away as Robinson Rancheria.
They also were unsure of how to access the fire initially until the homeowner called to give them the address on Clover Valley Road, which was accessed off of Bambi Lane, according to radio reports.
Units arriving on scene reported that a two-story wood structure was fully involved. Pacific Gas and Electric also was asked to respond to the property.
The firefighting effort continued late into the night, with the Northshore Fire Support Team requested to respond.
The support team returned to quarters shortly after 11:30 p.m. and fire units continued to clear the scene after 12 a.m. Sunday.
Additional information on the fire was not immediately available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall will elect two new board members for 2020 when it meets this week.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.
Meetings are open to the community, and offer the opportunity for additional public input on items not included on the agenda.
One of the main items on the agenda is the MATH board election.
Three candidates are running for two seats on the MATH Board – Claude Brown, David Thurber and Rosemary Cordova.
All three are set to address the group before the board election.
The meeting also will include a report from District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, a presentation on the homeless in the community park, committee updates and reports, and public input.
The MATH Board includes Chair Sally Peterson, Vice Chair Claude Brown, Secretary Paul Baker, and at-large members Tom Darms and Marlene Elder.
MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
Meetings are subject to videotaping.
For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters and paramedics from several counties, including Lake, responded to a semi wreck on Highway 20 in Colusa County on Sunday night.
The crash, involving a semi and another vehicle, occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Highway 20 near the junction with Highway 16, according to radio reports.
Williams Fire led the incident command, with Lake County Fire and Northshore Fire sending ambulances and more units coming from the Capay Valley in Yolo County.
Radio reports indicated there was one person with moderate to major injuries in the overturned big rig and four other “walking wounded” from the second vehicle.
An air ambulance was requested to respond to the scene, with Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta acting as the ground contact at the landing zone, based on radio reports.
As firefighters were working at the scene, incident command reported over the air that the highway had been shut down.
The REACH 6 air ambulance responded to transport the one crash victim with major injuries to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center, while most of the other patients denied medical care and one was transported.
Reports over the radio also stated that the crash resulted in a large amount of diesel being spilled.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has another varied selection of dogs needing homes this week.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of bluetick coonhound, bull terrier, pit bull, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Shiba Inu, shepherd, spaniel and treeing walker coonhound.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
Bull terrier-shepherd
This young male bull terrier-shepherd has a short black and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 2, ID No. 13417.
Female pit bull terrier
This female pit bull terrier has a short black and white coat.
She has been spayed.
She is in kennel No. 4, ID No. 13406.
Female Shiba Inu
This female Shiba Inu has a medium-length black and tan coat.
She is in kennel No. 12a, ID No. 13362.
‘Max’
“Max” is a male bluetick coonhound-treeing walker coonhound with a short tricolor coat.
He is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 13289.
‘Daisey’
“Daisey” is a female treeing walker coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix with a short tricolor coat.
She is in kennel No. 29, ID No. 13291.
‘Betty Boo’
“Betty Boo” is a female spaniel with a short black and white coat.
She has been spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 30, ID No. 13227.
Male shepherd mix
This male shepherd mix has a short black and brown coat.
He is in kennel No. 32, ID No. 13386.
‘Goofy’
“Goofy” is a young male Rhodesian Ridgeback with a short tan and black coat.
Shelter staff said this boy is great with other dogs, although he is high energy and would benefit from obedience training. He would love to go jogging every day, he is very food motivated and willing to learn new things.
Goofy has been at the shelter since Nov. 5. He was originally taken from someone in Upper Lake and found on the highway in Clearlake. If anyone has any information on his owner please contact the shelter.
He’s in kennel No. 33, ID No. 13210.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – More than 130 people visited Anderson Marsh State Historic Park on New Year’s Day to participate in the “First Day Hike” held at the park.
For the third consecutive year, this was the largest number of hikers for any Jan. 1 hike in the entire California State Parks system.
Every year, state parks in all 50 states offer First Day Hikes as a way to promote healthy lifestyles and year-round recreation at America’s State Parks.
“We’ve been doing these Jan. 1 hikes at Anderson Marsh for seven years and have had over 100 hikers join us each year,” said Henry Bornstein, California State Parks volunteer hike leader and a board member of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association. “This is the third consecutive year that the Anderson Marsh hike has had the largest number of New Year’s Day hikers in the state.”
Hikers covered a 3-mile loop over the Cache Creek Nature Trail and Ridge Trail, traveling over a boardwalk to the creek and through oak woodlands.
“The large number of Lake County residents who decided to start the year off right with this family-friendly event is a credit to our county and to the connection its residents have with the nature that surrounds them,” added Bornstein.
Monthly guided nature walks are held on the second Saturday of each month at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, located off of Highway 53 between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association is a nonprofit association cooperating with the California Department of Parks and Recreation to promote educational and interpretive activities at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
For more information about guided walks and other events at the park, contact the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 707-995-2658 or visit the association online at www.andersonmarsh.org.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care has a new group of cats of various ages ready for homes.
The following cats and kittens at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Female domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair has a calico coat with gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 4, ID No. 13387.
‘Isabella’
“Isabella” is a female domestic short hair cat with a chocolate point coat and blue eyes.
She has been spayed.
She is in cat room kennel No. 15a, ID No. 13413.
‘Delilah’
“Delilah” is a female brown tabby with a short coat and blue eyes.
She has been spayed.
She’s in cat room kennel No. 15b, ID No. 13414.
Male domestic short hair
This male domestic short hair has a brown tabby coat and gold eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. V70, ID No. 13398.
‘Ishta’
“Ishta” is a female domestic medium hair cat with a seal point coat and blue eyes.
She has been spayed.
She’s in cat room kennel No. V105, ID No. 13411.
Male domestic short hair
This young male domestic short hair has a gray tabby and white coat with gold eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 117, ID No. 13405.
‘Oreo’
“Oreo” is a female domestic short hair with an all-black coat and green eyes.
She has been spayed.
She is in cat room kennel No. 121, ID No. 13312.
‘Mama’
“Mama” is a female domestic medium hair with a dilute tortoiseshell coat and green eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 134, ID No. 13388.
Female domestic longhair
This female domestic longhair cat has a tortie coat and gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 142, ID No. 13347.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The U.S. has just entered the new decade of the 2020s.
What does our country look like today, and what will it look like 10 years from now, on Jan. 1, 2030? Which demographic groups in the U.S. will grow the most, and which groups will not grow as much, or maybe even decline in the next 10 years?
I am a demographer and I have examined population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and from the Population Division of the United Nations.
Projections show that whites will decline; the number of old people will increase; and racial minorities, mainly Hispanics, will grow the most, making them the main engine of demographic change in the U.S. for the next 10 years and beyond.
The U.S. is the third largest country in the world, outnumbered only by the two demographic billionaires, China and India, at just over 1.4 billion and just under 1.4 billion, respectively.
Ten years from now, the U.S. population will have almost 350 million people. China and India will still be bigger, but India with 1.5 billion people will now be larger than China, with 1.46 billion.
Today, there are over 74.1 million people under age 18 in the U.S. country. There are 56.4 million people age 65 and older.
Ten years from now, there will almost be as many old folks as there are young ones. The numbers of young people will have grown just a little to 76.3 million, but the numbers of old people will have increased a lot – to 74.1 million. A lot of these new elderly will be baby boomers.
For example, take the really old folks – people over the age of 100. How many centenarians are in the U.S. population today and how many are there likely to be 10 years from now?
According to demographers at the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of centenarians in the U.S. grew from over 53,000 in 2010 to over 90,000 in 2020. By 2030, there will most likely be over 130,000 centenarians in the U.S.
But this increase of centenarians by 2030 is only a small indication of their growth in later decades. In the year of 2046, the first group of surviving baby boomers will reach 100 years, and that’s when U.S. centenarians will really start to grow. By 2060 there will be over 603,000. That’s a lot of really old people.
I sometimes ask my undergraduate students how many of them have ever actually seen a person 100 years old or older. In my classes of 140 or more students, no more than maybe six raise their hands. Lots more college students will be raising their hands when they are asked that question in 2060.
3. Racial proportions will shift.
In 2020, non-Hispanic white people, hereafter called whites, are still the majority race in the U.S., representing 59.7% of the U.S. population.
Today, after whites, the Hispanic population is the next biggest group at 18.7% of the U.S., followed by blacks and Asians.
What will the country look like racially in 2030? Whites will have dropped to 55.8% of the population, and Hispanics will have grown to 21.1%. The percentage of black and Asian Americans will also grow significantly.
So between now and 2030, whites as a proportion of the population will get smaller, and the minority race groups will all keep getting bigger.
However, on the first day of 2020, whites under age 18 were already in the minority. Among all the young people now in the U.S., there are more minority young people than there are white young people.
Among old people age 65 and over, whites are still in the majority. Indeed white old people, compared to minority old people, will continue to be in the majority until some years after 2060.
Hispanics and the other racial minorities will be the country’s main demographic engine of population change in future years; this is the most significant demographic change Americans will see.
I’ve shown above how much older the U.S. population has become and will become in the years ahead. Were it not for the racial minorities countering this aging of the U.S. population, the U.S. by 2030 and later would have become even older than it is today and will be in 2030.