On average, the number of people 65 and over who live alone in the U.S. range between 12 and 51 percent, depending on the city. The graying of America forecasts the aggregate to double. Factors that create the trend of aging people, boomers, in particular, to live alone are high divorce rates and childless marriages, according to AARP. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 17.5 percent of individuals age 50 and up were either divorced or separated as of 2011. So, the numbers of people without a spouse or child continue to rise.