The United States Is an Aging Nation
These population statistics and projections are why AARP has a Livable Communities initiative
Charts from the U.S. Census Bureau
The data and graphics on this page are current as of May 2023.
Scroll down to see these charts and more. Click on the images below for more information about each.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau
We're Old but Not the Oldest
Japan has the largest share (28.5 percent) of older residents. In 2020, the United States ranked 34th among its peer nations with 16.8 percent of residents being age 65 or older. Learn More
Florida Is Not the Oldest State
In 2020, Maine had the highest share (21.8 percent) of people age 65 or older, followed by Florida (21.2 percent) and Vermont (20.6 percent). Learn More
- In 2020, the United States population was older and had fewer children under age 5 than in 2010 or 2000. Learn More
- In fact, the nation's population age 65-plus grew nearly five times faster than the total population between 1920 and 2020. Learn More
- In 2020, 1 in 6 people in the U.S. were 65 or older. (In 1920, the ratio was 1 in 20 people.) Learn More
- In 2020, the 65 to 74 age group represented more than half of the 65-plus population. The population of people age 95 or older increased from about 425,000 in 2010 to 631,000 in 2020. Learn More
- By 2030, 1 in 5 people in the United States — or 20 percent of the nation's population — will be age 65 or older. Learn More
- By 2034, people age 65 or over will outnumber children age 17 or younger. Learn More
1. The National Median Age Is 38.8 Years Old
Census.gov
2021 Population Estimates, released June 30, 2022
2. Older Adults Will Soon Outnumber Children
Census.gov
2017 National Population Projections, updated October 8, 2019
3. Data About the 65+ Population Shows ...
census.gov
The Population 65 Years and Older: 2021, released December 20, 2022
4. Data About the 55+ Population Shows ...
census.gov
2018 Survey of Income and Program Participation. Childless adults are those who reported having zero biological children. "Child present" includes step or adopted children of childless adults, and biological, step or adopted children of biological parents. The children may be of any age. Categories are not mutually exclusive.
5. The 65+ Population Significantly Increased Between 2010 and 2019
census.gov
"Percentage Change 65+ Population from 2010 to 2019," 2019 Population Estimates, Released June 25, 2020
6. The 65+ Population Consists of Many Very Old Adults
Census.gov
2019 Population Estimates, released June 25, 2020
Census.gov
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File
7. The Older Adult Population Has Grown Significantly
census.gov
US. Census Bureau, Decennial Census of Populatio, 1900 to 2000: 2010 Census Summary File 1 and 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File, published May 2023
8. The Population of Older Adults Will Continue to Grow
census.gov
2017 National Population Projections, updated October 8, 2019
Related Link: "America Needs More 'Aging-Ready' Homes" »
Research assistance by Stephanie Kuo
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