According to recent data, around 20-26% of the population in Broome County, NY is considered “older” (ages 60 or above), signifying a substantial older population within the county; this percentage has been steadily increasing over the past decade.

As the older population grows, so does the demand for self-storage, primarily due to the trend of downsizing homes as people retire, meaning they need a place to store excess belongings from their larger houses when to smaller living spaces like apartments or assisted living facilities. 

Key points about older people and self storage:

1. Accumulation of possessions: As people live longer, they tend to accumulate more possessions over time, whether it’s due to family heirlooms, sentimental items, or simply the natural course of life. More possessions might lead people to seek additional storage options, like self-storage.
2. Downsizing and life stages: Longer life expectancy means people may go through several stages of living arrangements—downsizing, moving into smaller homes, or transitioning to assisted living. Self-storage can offer a convenient solution for keeping items that no longer fit in a new living space but are still valued.
3. Retirement and more time to declutter: People with longer life expectancies might have more time in retirement to engage in decluttering or organizing. Self-storage can help manage this process, offering a space to store items they might not want to part with but don’t need on a daily basis.
4. Changes in family structure: Longer life expectancy also often leads to multi-generational households, or families moving across countries. This could lead to a greater need for self-storage as people need a place to keep belongings during transitions or when downsizing.

However, this trend is not necessarily uniform across all populations or regions. The relationship between life expectancy and self-storage use can also be influenced by factors such as disposable income, urbanization, and cultural attitudes toward possessions and minimalism.

If you’re a senior citizen resident of Broome County and looking for support, please contact Broome County Office for Aging by visiting their facebook page.

For temperature controlled storage or non temperature controlled storage call 607-775-9776 or visit www.laingselfstorage.com. We have locations in Endwell, Endicott, Binghamton, & Conklin.