Generation X Might Not Be a Bust After All Population Comparison Among Generations
December 30,
2016 by Jane Chero in General 
This is the first factoid in a series of four factoids focusing on Generation X. Historically named the “Baby Bust Generation,” babies born between 1966 and 1981 are now 35 to 50 years old. Sandwiched between the Baby Boomers and Millennials, Generation X is often overlooked by media and marketers as a worthy target – instead focusing on upcoming Millennials and their future economic influence. Once considered too small in size to make an impact, Generation X is now almost 70 million strong and is the largest generation of consumers alive ages 21 to 65.
At 69.8 million, GenXers trail behind both Millennials and Baby Boomers in size, but the current adult population of Generation X is higher than the Millennial’s 66 million as many are still under the age of 18. While GenXers are still smaller than the living Baby Boomers (74.9 million), they now have more buying power.
The population of the “Baby Bust Generation” is now much larger than originally projected due to immigration. With 58.5 million births between 1966 to 1981, Generation X has grown by almost 20 percent (19.3) in numbers. Although smaller in total population, GenXers are the largest adult consumer population at 37.5 percent of adults ages 21 to 65. The next factoid will focus on the income of Generation X as they enter their prime earning years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau