According to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age in the United States is approaching 40 years, reaching a record high last year. In 2022, the nation’s median age reached 38.9 years, marking a consistent increase over the past few decades. Back in 2000, the median age was 35.3 years, while in 1980, it was 30 years.
The rise in median age can largely be attributed to the aging of baby boomers and their children, as well as declining birth rates. Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Census Bureau’s Population Division, noted how the aging of baby boomers and the subsequent generation, known as echo boomers, are influencing the median age. As Wilder stated, “As the nation’s median age creeps closer to 40, you can really see how the aging of baby boomers, and now their children, is impacting the median age.”
While the natural change in population has been positive, with more births than deaths, birth rates have gradually decreased over the past two decades. This trend, combined with a lack of significant growth in the young population, suggests that the U.S. median age will continue to slowly rise.
On a state level, Maine has the highest median age at 44.8 years, while Utah has the lowest at 31.9 years, according to the Census data. While no state saw a decrease in median age in 2022, four states and the District of Columbia maintained the same median age as the previous year. Furthermore, approximately one-third of all states have a median age over 40 years, and seven counties have a median age over 60 years, based on the Census data.
In conclusion, the data indicates a significant increase in the U.S. median age, primarily due to the aging population and declining birth rates. This trend is expected to continue, resulting in a gradual rise in the median age.
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