The average age of residents in the United States varies significantly from state to state, reflecting a range of factors such as migration patterns, economic opportunities, and local industries.
The population of the country is aging, in what has been described as a “silver tsunami” by experts. Findings from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that by 2035, older adults will outnumber children in what will be a first in U.S. history.
“An aging population with a declining birthrate will have effects on the labor market, social security, and health and social care demands and costs,” Maureen Henry, assistant professor of health policy and management at the Columbia Aging Center, told Newsweek.
“The direction of those effects will be driven by policy, business practices, social conditions, and other factors. If we continue on our current path, costs will likely rise while health and well-being decline. But there are many ways to change that direction.”
According to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the U.S. population is older than ever and the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million in 2050, an increase of 47 percent.
Sports fans line up for food inside Fenway Park during a Red Sox baseball match in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 29, 2022. The population of the U.S. is aging, in what has been described as a “silver tsunami” by experts.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/Getty Images
According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the national median age in 2022 was 39 years old. Factors like local conditions, demographics and industry influence the average age in each state. So, how do the averages vary on a state-to-state basis?
The Oldest State by Median Age:
- Maine: 45 years
The Youngest State by Median Age:
- Utah: 32 years
In 2022, Maine had the highest median age at 45 years old, making it the oldest state in the U.S. This puts Maine’s median age in line with some European countries.
Neighboring states in the Northeast, including New Hampshire and Vermont, also rank high with median ages of 43. West Virginia and Florida, both known for attracting retirees, round out the top five with a median age of 43.
Henry told Newsweek that “it is important to recognize that older people have strengths to bring to society, but ageism, inattention to health promotion, and other factors diminish their ability to thrive and contribute to their families and communities.”
Factors like ageism, disability and government policy can affect older workers, according to Henry.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Utah stands out as the youngest state in the country with a median age of 32 years, a number more in line with global trends.
This is largely due to its higher birth rates and a younger, family-oriented population.
Regional trends play a significant role in shaping difference between states. The Northeast, with its slower population growth and higher number of retirees, tends to have older populations.
States with strong energy sectors like North Dakota, Texas, and Alaska attract younger workers, particularly in counties with thriving industries.
Even within states, there’s considerable variation at the county level.
Florida‘s Sumter County, home to a large retirement community, holds the title for the highest median age in the country at 68 years old, reflecting the influx of retirees.
In contrast, areas with universities or large job markets tend to have lower median ages as younger people cluster in those regions.
The aging population trend comes as birthrates are falling. In 2023, fewer babies—around 3.6 million—were born to parents in the U.S. than in any year since 1979.
The overall fertility rate fell to 1.62 births per woman in 2023. This is a 2 percent decline from 2022’s 3.66 million, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in April.
Henry emphasized the critical nature of the healthcare system. “Our healthcare delivery system was built on providing acute care to cure infections and address the aftermath of injury, but now the vast majority of medicine is focused on managing chronic conditions.”
“The healthcare system has not made the changes needed to promote health, prevent chronic conditions when possible, and effectively manage chronic conditions by treating the whole person.”
She noted that “if good health were promoted at all ages, the demand for medical care and associated financial burdens on individuals, families, and society would decrease. This does not happen by telling people to exercise and eat well. It happens by building physical and social infrastructure that promote health at all ages.”
She highlighted the following infrastructures recommended as part of the multisector plan for ageing: access to affordable and nutritious foods, access to affordable housing, safe streets and spaces where people can engage in physical activity, green spaces, places to gather, volunteer programs and programs to ensure people who want to stay in the workforce can do so.
She also noted health systems that can focus on prevention to reduce the prevalence of chronic conditions that can lead to disability and work to reduce disparities in care outcomes across ethnic and racial groups.
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