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The United States is an Aging Nation

These population projections are why AARP has a livable communities initiative

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1 of every 5 people in the United States — or 20 percent of the nation's population — will be age 65 or older by 2030. 

By 2034, people age 65 or over will outnumber children age 17 or younger. 

  • Click on the images below for more information about each.
  • The data and graphics on this page are current as of May 2023
  • 1. The National Median Age is 38.8 Years Old

    A graphic showing the median age by county in the U.S. as of July 2021

    Census.gov

    2021 Population Estimates, released June 30, 2022

    2. The Number of Older Adults Will Soon Outnumber Children

    U.S. Census Bureau Chart

    Census.gov

    2017 National Population Projections, updated October 8, 2019

    3. Data About the 65+ Population Shows ...

    Five color-coded images of the United States map with information about the age 65 or older population of the United States

    census.gov

    The Population 65 Years and Older: 2021, released December 20, 2022

    4. Data About the 55+ Population Shows ...

     

    Graphic showing the household composition of childless adults and biological parents age 55 and older

    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

    Older and Growing

    census.gov

    "Percentage Change 65+ Population from 2010 to 2019," 2019 Population Estimates, Released June 25, 2020

    6. The 65+ Population Has an Increasing Number of Very Old Adults

    Charge showing the age of U.S. resident population by sex 2010 v. 2019

    Census.gov

    2019 Population Estimates, released June 25, 2020

    7. The Population of Older Adults Will Continue to Grow

    U.S. Census Bureau Chart

    census.gov

    2017 National Population Projections, updated October 8, 2019

    Research assistance by Stephanie Kuo 

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