The Latest Data Reveals that the US Population is Reaching Unprecedented Levels of Age
Recent statistics released by the US Census Bureau show that the median age of Americans has reached a record high of 38.9 years in 2022, surpassing previous figures of 30 in 1980 and 28 in 1970. The aging population in the US is primarily attributed to people living longer and having fewer children. This trend, according to experts, has the potential to cause economic turmoil in the country.
Kristie Wilder, a demographer at the Census Bureau, explains that the aging population is a result of the aging baby boomer generation and their children. The eldest of the baby boomers’ children, known as echo boomers, have now reached or exceeded the nation’s median age of 38.9. The US is currently experiencing its oldest population ever, with approximately one-third of counties having a median age above 60 years.
While the natural change in population has remained positive, with more births than deaths, birth rates have gradually declined over the past two decades. Without a rapidly growing young population, the median age of the US will continue to rise steadily. The US Census Bureau’s report for 2022, based on data from the previous year, reveals a 0.2-year increase in median age compared to the previous 12-month period. Since 2000, the median age has risen by 3.6 years.
Maine and New Hampshire have the highest median ages among states, at 44.8 and 43.3 years respectively. The US was at its youngest in the 1970s, with a median age below 30 due to the post-World War II baby boom. However, societal changes, including advancements in contraception, shifting norms regarding starting a family, and increased opportunities for women in education and the workplace, have contributed to the steady increase in median age. Improved life expectancy resulting from advancements in healthcare has also played a significant role.
Although life expectancy experienced a slight decline due to the Covid pandemic, it had seen a record gain of 0.3 years in 2021. This increase was attributed to a decrease in births during the pandemic, as many chose to delay starting a family. The US Census Bureau’s report reveals that no states saw a decrease in median age over the past year, with four states remaining static. The youngest states in terms of median age are Utah, Washington D.C., and Texas.
Among the more than 3,100 counties in the US, Sumter County in Texas has the highest median age at 68.1 years, likely due to its large retirement village. Catron County in New Mexico and Jeff Davis County in Texas follow closely behind with median ages of 62.1 and 61.7 years respectively. Jasper County in South Carolina and Blaine County in Idaho had the highest increase in median age over the past year, each rising by one year alone.
However, there are still seven counties with median ages below 30 years, primarily due to the presence of large universities in those areas. In another recent report, it was revealed that a record number of women now choose to have children in their 40s. This phenomenon is made possible by advancements in invitro-fertilization technologies, which allow women to freeze their eggs in their 20s for future use. This shift provides women with the opportunity to prioritize their careers, travel, and social lives before starting a family.
In conclusion, the US population is reaching unprecedented levels of age, with the median age at its highest ever. Factors such as increased life expectancy, declining birth rates, and societal changes have contributed to this trend. While the aging population presents economic challenges, advancements in fertility technologies offer new choices for individuals to plan their families according to their own timelines.
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