Census ACS 2023 · 51 states
Oldest States by Median Age
An aging population is one of the defining demographic challenges facing the United States. States with the highest median ages tend to be in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest, where outmigration of younger workers combines with longer life expectancy among established communities. Maine and New Hampshire consistently rank among the oldest states, a trend driven by limited job opportunities for younger residents and a large Baby Boomer population that has aged in place. An older population creates unique pressures on healthcare systems, Social Security, housing markets, and the labor force. States with higher median ages often face workforce shortages in industries like healthcare, education, and construction. Understanding age distribution helps planners, employers, and policymakers anticipate future demand for services.
Key Findings
- 1Maine leads with a median age of 44.8, followed by New Hampshire (43.2) and Vermont (43.0).
- 2Utah ranks last at 31.7, while Maine leads at 44.8.
- 3The national median across all states is 38.9 (Tennessee at the midpoint).
- 4The top 10 states are: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, Florida, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Rhode Island.
Full Ranking: Oldest States by Median Age
Source: Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
| # | State | Median Age | Population | Over 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 38.8 | 579,761 | 18.0% |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 40.1 | 5,892,023 | 18.0% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 42.7 | 1,784,462 | 20.7% |
| 4 | Washington | 38.2 | 7,740,984 | 16.3% |
| 5 | Virginia | 38.8 | 8,657,499 | 16.2% |
| 6 | Vermont | 43 | 645,254 | 20.8% |
| 7 | Utah | 31.7 | 3,331,187 | 11.5% |
| 8 | Texas | 35.5 | 29,640,343 | 13.2% |
| 9 | Tennessee | 38.9 | 6,986,082 | 16.8% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 37.7 | 899,194 | 17.5% |
| 11 | South Carolina | 40.1 | 5,212,774 | 18.4% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 40.5 | 1,095,371 | 18.2% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 40.9 | 12,986,518 | 19.1% |
| 14 | Oregon | 40.1 | 4,238,714 | 18.6% |
| 15 | Oklahoma | 36.9 | 3,995,260 | 16.1% |
| 16 | Ohio | 39.6 | 11,780,046 | 17.9% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 35.7 | 779,361 | 16.2% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 39.1 | 10,584,340 | 16.8% |
| 19 | New York | 39.6 | 19,872,319 | 17.4% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 39.2 | 2,114,768 | 18.7% |
| 21 | New Jersey | 40.1 | 9,267,014 | 16.8% |
| 22 | New Hampshire | 43.2 | 1,387,834 | 19.4% |
| 23 | Nevada | 38.9 | 3,141,000 | 16.6% |
| 24 | Nebraska | 37.1 | 1,965,926 | 16.3% |
| 25 | Montana | 40.2 | 1,105,072 | 19.7% |
| 26 | Missouri | 38.9 | 6,168,181 | 17.5% |
| 27 | Mississippi | 38.4 | 2,951,438 | 16.8% |
| 28 | Minnesota | 38.6 | 5,713,716 | 16.8% |
| 29 | Michigan | 40.1 | 10,051,595 | 18.2% |
| 30 | Massachusetts | 40 | 6,992,395 | 17.4% |
| 31 | Maryland | 39.3 | 6,170,738 | 16.3% |
| 32 | Maine | 44.8 | 1,377,400 | 21.9% |
| 33 | Louisiana | 37.8 | 4,621,025 | 16.3% |
| 34 | Kentucky | 39.1 | 4,510,725 | 17.1% |
| 35 | Kansas | 37.2 | 2,937,569 | 16.5% |
| 36 | Iowa | 38.6 | 3,195,937 | 17.8% |
| 37 | Indiana | 38 | 6,811,752 | 16.5% |
| 38 | Illinois | 38.9 | 12,692,653 | 16.5% |
| 39 | Idaho | 37.1 | 1,893,296 | 16.6% |
| 40 | Hawaii | 40.6 | 1,445,635 | 19.9% |
| 41 | Georgia | 37.4 | 10,822,590 | 14.6% |
| 42 | Florida | 42.6 | 21,928,881 | 21.1% |
| 43 | District of Columbia | 34.9 | 672,079 | 12.7% |
| 44 | Delaware | 41.5 | 1,005,872 | 20.0% |
| 45 | Connecticut | 41.2 | 3,598,348 | 18.0% |
| 46 | Colorado | 37.5 | 5,810,774 | 15.2% |
| 47 | California | 37.6 | 39,242,785 | 15.3% |
| 48 | Arkansas | 38.4 | 3,032,651 | 17.4% |
| 49 | Arizona | 38.8 | 7,268,175 | 18.5% |
| 50 | Alaska | 35.6 | 733,971 | 13.4% |
| 51 | Alabama | 39.3 | 5,054,253 | 17.5% |
Methodology
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Maine has the highest median age at 44.8, according to Census ACS 2023 data. New Hampshire and Vermont round out the top three.
Utah has the lowest median age at 31.7. District of Columbia is second-lowest at 34.9.
The median across all 51 states is 38.9. Note that the national median and the state-level median are calculated differently — the state median represents the midpoint when all states are ranked.
This data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates published by the US Census Bureau. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides the most comprehensive demographic data available between decennial censuses.
Rankings are based on the latest available Census ACS data (currently 2023 5-Year estimates). The Census Bureau releases new ACS data annually, typically in September. Our data was last updated on April 12, 2026.
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.