Aging Population: Older Adults Outnumber Children in‌ Many U.S. Counties

The graying of America continues, with new Census Bureau data‍ revealing a notable shift in ‍the nation’s demographics. In 2024, approximately 45% of U.S. counties reported a higher number⁤ of residents aged 65 and older‍ compared ⁢to those under ​18. This represents a notable increase from just ​31.3% four years prior.

This trend toward an aging population ‌ is ⁤especially pronounced outside of major metropolitan⁤ areas.⁢ The Census Bureau found that the ⁤population of americans 65 and older grew by 3.1% between 2023 and⁤ 2024,reaching 61.2 million.Meanwhile, the population of those under 18 declined by 0.2% to approximately 73.1 million.

Since 2004, the ⁢proportion ⁢of older adults in the U.S. has risen steadily, from⁢ 12.4% to⁣ 18% last year. Concurrently, the⁤ percentage of children has decreased from 25% to 21.5%.

The nation’s median age also reflects this‌ shift, reaching ‍a ⁣high of 38.9 in 2022. this figure has been climbing ⁢for decades, jumping from 30 in 1980 to 35 in 2000.

These demographic changes​ coincide with a‍ decline in the U.S. birth ‌rate.‍ Data from the Centers for Disease Control‍ and Prevention (CDC) ⁢indicates a nearly 23% drop in the birth rate‍ between 2007 and 2022, contributing to⁤ the decline in births.

Lauren Bowers,‍ chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch, addressed the changing landscape.

‍”Children still outnumber older ‌adults in the United⁤ States, despite a‍ decline in births ​this decade,”⁢ Bowers said.​ “Though, the gap is narrowing ​as baby boomers‍ continue to age⁤ into their retirement years. In fact, the number of states and counties ​where older adults outnumber‍ children is on the rise,⁢ especially‌ in sparsely‍ populated ‍areas.”
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The Census‍ Bureau ⁣projects that the U.S. population will ‍peak around 2080 before beginning to ‍decline,further emphasizing the⁢ importance of understanding ‌the implications of an⁣ aging population in the U.S.

What’s⁤ next

As the U.S. population continues to⁣ age, understanding the economic and‌ social impacts will become increasingly ‌vital for policymakers and⁣ communities alike.Further research and analysis will be needed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by this demographic shift.