Older adults outnumber children in almost half of US counties: Census data
Share this @internewscast.com

(The Hill) — Older adults now outnumber children in almost half of the counties in the U.S., new data released Thursday from the Census Bureau shows.

According to a press release, in 2024, about 45 percent of the nation’s more than 3,100 counties reported a greater number of residents aged 65 or older than those under 18. This is a notable rise from four years earlier when only 31.3 percent of the counties had more older adults than children.

Most of the counties with an older population were located outside of the metro or micro areas, the release states.

In general, the population of individuals over 65 years old increased by 3.1 percent from 2023 to 2024, reaching approximately 61.2 million. Conversely, the population of those under 18 years decreased by 0.2 percent over the past year, now around 73.1 million, according to bureau findings.

Since 2004, the proportion of older adults in the U.S. has been gradually increasing, going from 12.4 percent in 2004 to 18 percent last year. Meanwhile, the population of children has been decreasing, falling from 25 percent to 21.5 percent over the same period, as the data indicates.

In 2022, the nation’s median age hit 38.9 — the highest it had been at that point. The median age has also been rising for decades, spiking from 30 in 1980 to 35 in 2000.

The latest numbers come as statistics show women in the U.S. having fewer children. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report showing between 2007 and 2022, the nation’s birth rate fell by nearly 23 percent.

“Children still outnumber older adults in the United States, despite a decline in births this decade,” Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch, said in Thursday’s release. 

“However, the gap is narrowing as baby boomers continue to age into their retirement years,” Bowers added. “In fact, the number of states and counties where older adults outnumber children is on the rise, especially in sparsely populated areas.”

A Census Bureau estimate released in 2023 found that the U.S. population was expected to peak in 2080 and then fall by the end of the century.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

SPD Detains Suspect Linked to May Assault

The Savannah Police Department (SPD) detained an individual on Wednesday regarding a…

Who is Sean Duffy? Trump Selects Acting Transportation Secretary to Temporarily Lead NASA

A member of President Trump’s Cabinet is picking up an additional job…

Rubio Set to Meet with Russian Foreign Minister in Malaysia Amid Heightened Ukraine Tensions

KUALA LUMPUR – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to…

“Champaign Residents Rally to End Community Gun Violence”

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign-Urbana, community members are seeking solutions to…

Aiken Resident Charged with Child Exploitation

AIKEN, S.C. () – A man has been taken into custody by…

Tragic Loss: Hiker Succumbs to Extreme Heat After Leaving Grand Canyon Trail

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 67-year-old Texas man died Tuesday at the Grand…

Passenger Faces Abduction Charge Following Alleged Bristol, Va. Chase

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — Authorities arrested a North Carolina man on Tuesday…

Tragic Accident Involving Toombs County Deputy Claims Teen’s Life

TOOMBS COUNTY, Ga. () — A Toombs County deputy was involved in…

Asian markets mostly rise following strong performance from major tech stocks on Wall Street

Asian markets mostly advanced on Thursday, driven by a surge in U.S.…

Truck Driver Surrenders After Watching News Story on Dog Dragged Behind Vehicle

SPRING VALLEY, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) – The owner of a dog that was…

Twin sisters in Texas Generate $10,000 for Camp Mystic by Selling Lemonade

() Nine-year-old twins who attended summer camps devastated by recent flooding have…

State and Federal Officials Seek Solutions After Devastating Floods

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the aftermath of the Kerr County flooding, there…