Maine: The Nation’s Age Leader
Maine holds the distinction of being the oldest state in the nation, with a median age of 44.8 years and 23% of its population over 65. Between 2020 and 2023, Maine experienced substantial growth in older age groups, with a 22.8% increase in the 75-79 age cohort and a 16.5% rise in those aged 80-84. Meanwhile, younger age groups under 60 have seen population decline, reinforcing the demographic shift.
Contrary to common perceptions that attribute this shift solely to migration, much of the change is driven by Maine’s existing population aging into older cohorts. Maine’s population is 1,402,110 with slow growth at 0.03%, ranking 48th nationally, and has an old-age dependency ratio of 33.8 per 100 working-age residents.
New Hampshire: Racing Into Retirement
As of July 2023, New Hampshire had a median age of 43.4 years old, making it tied with Vermont as the second oldest state in the United States by median age. Approximately 20.8% of the state’s population was over age 65 in 2023, an increase of about 2.0 percentage points from 18.8% in 2020. In contrast, those under 18 made up about 18.0% of the population in 2023, decreasing 0.8 percentage points since 2020.
New Hampshire experienced the largest percentage reduction in people under age 18 (about 10.5%) of any state from 2010 to 2020. While the state’s aging population follows trends seen across the country, New Hampshire’s population is aging faster in comparison.
Vermont: Small State, Big Demographic Change
Vermont is aging rapidly, with its median age jumping from 37 to 43 in just two decades, making it the third-oldest state behind Maine and New Hampshire. The number of Vermonters 65 and older has nearly doubled over that same period. Vermont has 22.15% of its population over 65, making it the second-most represented state for seniors after Maine.
Vermont was one of only three states that lost residents in 2024, with a negligible decline of 0.03%. Deaths exceeded births in Vermont in 2024, along with Maine, New Hampshire, and West Virginia.
Florida: The Retirement Magnet
Florida has 21.75% of its population over 65, ranking third among all states. Florida was one of only three states where older adults outnumbered children as recently as 2020. Florida, along with Arizona, New Mexico, and South Carolina, has attracted older retirees, resulting in larger proportions of older residents.
The number of people 65 and up increased in all states between 2020 and 2024, while that of people under 18 increased in only a handful, including Texas and Florida. Despite the overall aging trend, 47 metro areas experienced a decline in median age between 2020 and 2024, many of which were in the South, including some in Florida.
Delaware: The First State Gets Older
Delaware joined the ranks of states where older adults outnumber children by 2024. Delaware’s older population grew at similar rates to Vermont and New Hampshire. Delaware is now among the 11 states with more older adults than children.
The demographic shift in Delaware reflects broader regional patterns in the Northeast, where young adults have moved elsewhere for opportunities, leaving older populations to age in place. Delaware’s transformation into an aging state represents a significant change from just four years ago.
West Virginia: Mountain State Population Decline
West Virginia joined the list of states where older adults outnumber children by 2024. West Virginia was one of only three states that lost residents in 2024, with a negligible decline of 0.03%. Deaths exceeded births in West Virginia in 2024, along with Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
West Virginia had one of the lowest increases in elderly population over the past decade at 21%. West Virginia had a median age of 42.8 in 2022, with no change from 2021 to 2022.
Montana: Big Sky, Aging Population
Montana joined the ranks of states where older adults outnumber children by 2024. Montana is now among the 11 states with more older adults than children. Montana has the smallest percentage of Black or African American senior population at 0.1%.
Montana was one of only eight states that grew slower than their long-term trends in 2024. The state’s aging represents a significant demographic shift for a traditionally younger western state.
Pennsylvania: Keystone State’s Silver Shift
Pennsylvania joined the list of states where older adults outnumber children by 2024. Pennsylvania is now among the 11 states with more older adults than children. Pennsylvania accounts for roughly a quarter of the 65+ population among the top ten most populous states.
Pennsylvania’s demographic shift reflects the broader pattern across the Northeast and Midwest, where young adults have migrated to other regions for educational and job opportunities. The state’s aging population represents both challenges and opportunities for its future economic development.
New Hampshire: Live Free or Die… Older
New Hampshire was tied with Vermont as the second-oldest state in the United States, with a median age of 43.4 years as of July 2023. Approximately 20.8% of Granite Staters were over age 65 in 2023, an increase from about 18.8% in 2020. About 15.3% of the state’s population was between traditional retirement ages.
New Hampshire’s child population overall has been declining, which suggests potential challenges for the state’s economic future, though the number of children of color grew, suggesting the state’s workforce and economy will become more diverse. Net migration to New Hampshire was responsible for the entirety of estimated population growth between 2020 and 2023.
Hawaii: Paradise Ages
Hawaii joined the ranks of states where older adults outnumber children by 2024. In Hawaii, Asians make up 49.7% of the elderly population, which is a stark contrast to states like West Virginia, where only 0.3% of the senior population is Asian. Hawaii had some of the slowest population growth at 0.33% in 2024.
Hawaii had the largest increase in median age among states, up 0.4 years to 40.7 between 2021 and 2022. The state’s unique demographic composition and geographic isolation contribute to its aging population patterns.
Oregon: Pacific Northwest’s Graying Future
Oregon joined the list of states where older adults outnumber children by 2024. Oregon is now among the 11 states with more older adults than children. Oregon was one of only eight states that grew slower than their long-term trends in 2024.
Oregon’s demographic shift represents a significant change for a state traditionally associated with younger populations drawn to its cities and outdoor lifestyle. The state’s aging population reflects broader regional trends across the Pacific Northwest.
Rhode Island: Ocean State’s Silver Tsunami
Rhode Island joined the ranks of states where older adults outnumber children by 2024. Rhode Island is now among the 11 states with more older adults than children. As the smallest state by area, Rhode Island’s demographic changes are particularly concentrated and visible.
Rhode Island’s aging population reflects the broader New England pattern of young adults migrating to other regions while older residents age in place. The state faces unique challenges due to its small size and limited economic diversification options.
National Implications: The Broader Picture
The U.S. population aged 65 and up grew by 13% between 2020 and 2024, while the number of those under 18 fell by 1.7%, and the U.S. median age hit a new record high of 39.1 in 2024. The share of the U.S. population 65 and up increased from 12.4% in 2004 to 18% in 2024, while the share of children fell from 25% to 21.5%.
By 2030, one in five people, or more than 20% of the population will be over 65 years of age, and in Maine, Florida, New Hampshire, and Vermont, nearly a quarter of the population within each state is expected to be over age 65. The number of workers sharing the cost of supporting Social Security beneficiaries will soon plummet unless future employment patterns change dramatically, with projections indicating there will be 2.1 workers per Social Security beneficiary in 2040, down from 3.7 in 1970.
The demographic transformation across these 11 states represents more than just numbers – it signals a fundamental shift in American society. These states are pioneering what the entire nation will likely experience in the coming decades, making their experiences crucial for understanding America’s aging future.
