The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — The news came early Thursday morning. Steve and Ginny Specker learned that their first grandchild, Matthew Robert Greenberg, was born at 6:44 a.m. in a Nassau County, N.Y., hospital.

The birth signaled not only a milestone for the Villagers’ immediate family but also helps illustrate a compelling demographic trend occurring in The Villages.

New census data suggest that the Village of Hadley couple are representative of a dramatic change in the community’s age demographics.

It suggests that The Villages is getting younger.

The trend is apparent

to John Rohan, assistant

district manager for the

Villages Community Development District.

“Absolutely,” Rohan said. “We’re seeing it in all respects, from volunteerism to participation in the master sports events like softball, pickleball and swimming.”

It’s even apparent to the CDD work force.

“You see them in the recreation centers,” Rohan added. “They’re starting new clubs. Motorcycle clubs are being formed. Hot rod clubs are being formed. You’re seeing a trend in this type of club being formed. You still get traditional types of social clubs, but now you’re seeing a mix of the baby boomer-type of clubs.”

Taking a breather

Villagers like the Speckers in the 60 to 64 age group, for example, were among the fastest-growing segment of all Sumter County residents age 55 and older, the census data showed. That’s the age required for residency in The Villages.

The data are compelling because The Villages accounts for the predominant majority of Sumter’s population — based on local property and building permit data.

The Speckers’ active lifestyle seems to provide strong anecdotal evidence for the theory that The Villages is becoming younger.

Since purchasing their home in December, the couple have joined almost a dozen clubs in the community — in addition to regularly frequenting local entertainment and recreation activities.

“We’re using the amenities for what they’re used for,” Steve said.

Pointing to July in their Citizens First Bank calendar, Steve noted that the couple — he’s 63 and she’s 60 — spent 25 of the 30 days involved in some type of daily activity.

“It was good we had the other six days open so we could take a breather from the other 25 days,” said Steve, who retired several years ago after almost 39 years with the federal Social Security Administration. “We’re not putting on airs. It’s wonderful here.”

When not engaged in an activity, the couple is traversing about 60 miles of golf-cart transportation trails in the community.

“That was a big plus,” Ginny, a retired New York School District employee, said of the couple’s decision to move here. “You can get all around on the golf cart.”

Ranking 114th

It’s apparent from the federal Census Bureau data that Sumter ranks far behind the U.S. counties with the largest population of residents age 65-plus.

Sumter ranked 114th out of all U.S. counties, Census spokesman Robert Bernstein said. The neighboring county of Lake ranked 11th, while Marion ranked 31st.

Nine counties in Florida besides Lake ranked on the list of 24 U.S. counties with at least a quarter of their population at least 65-plus. Those included Highlands County, ranked second nationally; Charlotte, fourth; Citrus, fifth; Sarasota, sixth; Martin, 16th; Hernando 17th; Indian River, 21st; and Collier, 23rd.

“This data is very important for planning purposes,” Bernstein said. “One aspect of the demographic condition, just the age distribution of the population, if you see a rapidly growing older population, planners may need more services for older persons.”

Census data is culled from birth and death records, IRS tax returns and Social Security data, among other sources, Bernstein added.

The data also is an estimate extrapolated from the 2000 census.

Relaxing at Starbucks

To Villagers like Cheryl De Jonge, however, the age of the typical Villager is very apparent.

De Jonge and her husband, Ron, Village of Lynnhaven residents, are younger retirees. She’s 56 and he’s 55.

Their age bracket — 55 to 59 — is the third-largest segment in the Sumter population of residents age 55-plus. The 65-69 age bracket ranks second.

Just as the Speckers, Cheryl and Ron are active Villagers.

Ron is an instructor at The Villages Wellness Center, while Cheryl teaches piano and voice lessons for The Villages Charter Schools’ after-school program.

Each has put considerable focus on wellness as a lifestyle. Cheryl, for instance, participates in bicycle-spinning classes and the Wellness Center’s boot camp, an intensive exercise program.

“Other than relaxing at Starbucks in Buffalo Ridge, we’re spending our time at home reading on the lanai, or driving our golf cart, exploring The Villages,” Cheryl added.

David R. Corder is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9066, or at david.corder@thevillagesmedia.com.