Presented in this paper is a study undertaken to determine the level of social interaction and isolation in a randomly selected sample of 156 aged blacks in an urban area of New Jersey. The interaction patterns are analyzed in terms of availability, relations with, and reactions toward close and distant relatives and friends. The relation between subjective and objective states of loneliness is examined. Findings presented show no positive relation between living alone and feeling lonely. It is pointed out that, in spite of frequent contacts with children, elderly persons in the sample depend mostly on friends for companionship and for social pursuits such as visiting, shopping, and activities over the weekend and major holidays. Participation in club-type activities and church groups is described as minimal. In addition, it is stated that one third of the sample studied said they felt alone and about two thirds expressed a desire for more social interaction. An argument is made for the need for outreach programs in which social service workers act as kin or friend surrogates. (Author/EB)