A woman in Polk County had her 111th birthday. She was celebrated by the county sheriff’s office and staff from a home care facility. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, her birthday wish was to meet Sheriff Grady Judd.
Gertrude Williams just turned 111 years old, PCSO said on social media, where they shared photos of the woman with staff and Sheriff Judd.
“It’s not every day you turn 111!” one of the photos says, where Judd is seen holding Williams’ hand. PCSO thanked Concierge Home Care in the post, too.
“When you turn 111, birthday wishes matter,” PCSO posted on social media along with a celebratory message for Williams. “Gertrude Williams asked to meet the Sheriff, and today, that wish came true.”
Turning 100 years old is uncommon, let alone 111. According to Census, only 5% of the population in Polk County is 80 years old or older, as the median age is roughly 39 years-old.
Census also shows that in the state of Florida, only 5% of people are 80 years or more, as the median age is roughly 42-years-old.
Pew Research published in 2024 that 78% of people aged 100 or more are women, while only 22% are men.
In terms of ethnicity and race, Pew Research published that 77% of people in 2024 who were over 100 years old are White, 8% Black, 7% Asian, and 6% Hispanic.
The research center stated that the U.S. centenarian population is projected to quadruple over the next 30 years.