How many widows are there currently in the US, by age group.  OR, how
many women because widows last year?  By age group would be a help but
not necessary.

Cherbear,

The U.S. Census Bureau, 2004-2005 Statistical Abstract of the United
States provides the following statistics:

-------------------------------------------------------
No. 53 Marital Status of the Population by Sex and Age
-------------------------------------------------------
Sex and age               Number of persons (1,000) 
                          In thousands (202 represents 202,000)
-------------------------------------------------------
Male 
-------------------------------------------------------
18 to 19 years old             2
20 to 24 years old             -
25 to 29 years old            14
30 to 34 years old            21
35 to 39 years old            21
40 to 44 years old            67
45 to 54 years old           202
55 to 64 years old           292
65 to 74 years old           726
75 years old and over       1347
-------------------------------------------------------
Female 
-------------------------------------------------------
18 to 19 years old             - 
20 to 24 years old            16
25 to 29 years old            36
30 to 34 years old            58
35 to 39 years old           134
40 to 44 years old           185
45 to 54 years old           640
55 to 64 years old          1487
65 to 74 years old          2888
75 years old and over       5844
-------------------------------------------------------

Source: 
U.S. Census Bureau, 
Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005
page 49
http://www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/04statab/pop.pdf


Widow Statistics

"800,000 new widows/widowers in the U.S. in 2002"
-National Mental Health Association


"Nearly 700,000 women lose their husbands each year and will be widows
for an average of 14 years"
-U.S. Bureau of the Census (1999) 
http://www.widowsbridge.com/stats.asp


Search criteria: 
Widow statistics 
Census Bureau
Marital Status by Age group 


I hope the information provided is helpful!

Best regards,
Bobbie7

This was extremely helpful and worth every penny.  Thanks.