In 2022, the state with the highest median age of its population was Maine at 45.1 years. Utah had the lowest median age at 32.1 years. View the distribution of the U.S. population by ethnicity here.

Additional information on the aging population in the United States

High birth rates during the so-called baby boom years that followed World War II followed by lower fertility and morality rates have left the United States with a serious challenge in the 21st Century. However, the issue of an aging population is certainly not an issue unique to the United States. The age distribution of the global population shows that other parts of the world face a similar issue.

Within the United States, the uneven distribution of populations aged 65 years and over among states offers both major challenges and potential solutions. On the one hand, federal action over the issue may be contentious as other states are set to harbor the costs of elderly care in states such as California and Florida. That said, domestic migration from comparably younger states may help to fill gaps in the workforce left by retirees in others.

Nonetheless, aging population issues are set to gain further prominence in the political and economic decisions made by policymakers regardless of the eventual distribution of America’s elderly. Analysis of the financial concerns of Americans by age shows many young people still decades from retirement hold strong concern over their eventual financial position.

The estimated median age gives an idea of the age distribution of the population in a given area. A greater median age would suggest that the area of interest has a relatively large number of older residents, while a lower median age suggests that the area has a relatively large number of younger residents.

Champaign County’s estimated median age has risen for over a decade, but has always stayed between 28 and 31. Year-to-year changes from 2017 to 2019 were statistically significant, but not from 2019 to 2023. The Champaign County estimated median age has been consistently younger than the estimated median ages of the United States and State of Illinois. Champaign County’s figure is likely impacted to some degree by the large student population associated with the University of Illinois.

The estimated median age does not provide a significant amount of detail, and it does not provide any information on why the estimated median age is what it is. However, when placed in the context of other pieces of data and other indicators, it is a valuable starting point in understanding county demographics.

Estimated median age data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates, which are released annually.

As with any datasets that are estimates rather than exact counts, it is important to take into account the margins of error (listed in the column beside each figure) when drawing conclusions from the data.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data in 2020. This includes a limited number of data tables for the nation, states, and the District of Columbia. The Census Bureau states that the 2020 ACS 1-year experimental tables use an experimental estimation methodology and should not be compared with other ACS data. For these reasons, and because data is not available for Champaign County, no data for 2020 is included in this Indicator.

For interested data users, the 2020 ACS 1-Year Experimental data release includes a dataset on Median Age by Sex.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (8 October 2024).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (6 October 2023).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (13 October 2022).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (7 April 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (7 April 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (13 September 2018).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (14 September 2017).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (19 September 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2012 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2009 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2008 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2007 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2006 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2005 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).

In 2023, the median age of the population of the United States was 39.2 years. While this may seem quite young, the median age in 1960 was even younger, at 29.5 years. The aging population in the United States means that society is going to have to find a way to adapt to the larger numbers of older people. Everything from Social Security to employment to the age of retirement will have to change if the population is expected to age more while having fewer children. The world is getting older It’s not only the United States that is facing this particular demographic dilemma. In 1950, the global median age was 23.6 years. This number is projected to increase to 41.9 years by the year 2100. This means that not only the U.S., but the rest of the world will also have to find ways to adapt to the aging population.

Important Note: This item is in mature support as of June 2023 and will be retired in December 2025. This map shows the median age of the U.S. population in 2022 in a multiscale map by country, state, county, ZIP Code, tract, and block group. In 2022, the median age of the population in the U.S. is 38 years of age.The popup is configured to include the following information for each geography level:Median age of total populationTotal population counts (by 5 year increments)Median age of male populationMale population counts (by 5 year increments)Median age of female populationFemale population counts (by 5 year increments)Permitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Effingham County, GA (B01002001E013103) from 2009 to 2023 about Effingham County, GA; Savannah; age; GA; median; 5-year; and USA.

Measure reports the median age of the State of Iowa's population based data collected over a 60 month period. Data is from the American Community Survey, Five Year Estimates, Table B01002.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in New York County, NY (B01002001E036061) from 2009 to 2023 about New York County, NY; age; New York; NY; median; 5-year; and USA.

This map shows the median age in the United States based on the 2010 Census. The map shows this pattern for states, counties, tracts, and block groups. There is increasing geographic detail as you zoom in, and only one geography is configured to show at any time. The data source is the US Census Bureau, and the vintage is 2010. The original service and data metadata can be found here.

This dataset was utilized a join from enriched tables from ESRI which was curated from the 2020 Census from the United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) and for county boundaries created by Office of Information Technology Services Next Generation 9-1-1 team in collaboration with all 44 counties of Idaho. This layer has information for all cities within Idaho regarding the county population common behaviors for 2024.For more information on how the data is curated for the Enrich tool please go the link below. 2024/2029 Esri Updated Demographics

The projected median age of population in India, at national level, was expected to go up to more than 34 years by 2036 versus almost 25 years in 2011. At state level, Tamil Nadu reflected the highest projected median age with over 40 years in 2036 versus nearly 30 years in 2011.

The projected median age of population of a country is contingent upon several health metrics such as the fertility rate, birth rate, and mortality rate. For instance, if a country or state sees a lower fertility and mortality rate, the geriatric population is expected to increase proportionally.

Median Age: The middle value of age for a total population, males, and females in an area.(B01002). County and State values are from the ACS 1 Year Survey.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in St. Louis city, MO (B01002001E029510) from 2009 to 2023 about St. Louis City, MO; St. Louis; age; MO; median; 5-year; and USA.

The female median age in Mexico State was approximately ** years in 2020. In a steady upward trend, the median age rose by about **** years from 1995.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in DeKalb County, GA (B01002001E013089) from 2009 to 2023 about De Kalb County, GA; age; Atlanta; GA; median; 5-year; and USA.

Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Warren County, NY was 46.80000 Years of Age in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Warren County, NY reached a record high of 46.90000 in January of 2020 and a record low of 42.50000 in January of 2009. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Warren County, NY - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Middlesex County, NJ (B01002001E034023) from 2009 to 2023 about Middlesex County, NJ; age; NJ; New York; median; 5-year; and USA.

Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Los Angeles County, CA was 37.90000 Years of Age in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Los Angeles County, CA reached a record high of 37.90000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 33.80000 in January of 2009. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimate, Median Age by Sex, Total Population (5-year estimate) in Los Angeles County, CA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

The 2006 Second Edition TIGER/Line files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database. The geographic coverage for a single TIGER/Line file is a county or statistical equivalent entity, with the coverage area based on the latest available governmental unit boundaries. The Census TIGER database represents a seamless national file with no overlaps or gaps between parts. However, each county-based TIGER/Line file is designed to stand alone as an independent data set or the files can be combined to cover the whole Nation. The 2006 Second Edition TIGER/Line files consist of line segments representing physical features and governmental and statistical boundaries.

This shapefile represents the current State House Districts for New Mexico as posted on the Census Bureau website for 2006.

This filtered view contains most current Iowa median age by sex and race for State of Iowa, individual Iowa counties, and Iowa places. Data is from the American Community Survey, Five Year Estimates, Tables B01002A, B01002B, B01002C, B01002D, B01002E, B01002F, and B01002.

The once-a-decade decennial census was conducted in April 2010 by the U.S. Census Bureau. This count of every resident in the United States was mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and all households in the U.S. and individuals living in group quarters were required by law to respond to the 2010 Census questionnaire. The data collected by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. The questionnaire consisted of a limited number of questions but allowed for the collection of information on the number of people in the household and their relationship to the householder, an individual's age, sex, race and Hispanic ethnicity, the number of housing units and whether those units are owner- or renter-occupied, or vacant. Results for sub-state geographic areas in New Mexico were released in a series of data products. These data come from Summary File 1 (SF-1). The geographic coverage for SF-1 includes the state, counties, places (both incorporated and unincorporated communities), tribal lands, school districts, census tracts, block groups and blocks, among others. The data in this particular RGIS Clearinghouse table is for Colfax County and all census blocks in the county. Table DC10_00897 shows median age for all persons (both sexes), for males and for females. This file, along with file-specific descriptions (in Word and text formats) are available in a single zip file.