The incidence of fracture of the upper end of the humerus by age group and sex was studied for a 32-year period from 1950 to 1982. The following numbers of humeral fractures occurred: 1950–1954, 411 fractures; 1961–1964, 552 fractures; 1971–1973, 639 fractures; and 1981–1982, 523 fractures. There was a progressive increase in the age-related incidence in older persons, especially in women. There was a higher incidence of fractures classified as severe in the 1980s compared with the 1950s.