Special Report

The Oldest and Youngest County in Each State

Grant Suneson

Published: January 18, 2018 2:29 pm

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 4:21 am

As baby boomers continue to age, the nation’s median age also continues to rise. The median age rose from 35.3 years in 2000 to 37.9 years in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In two-thirds of U.S. counties, the median age increased in 2016 from 2015.

The number of senior citizens across the United States continues to increase, but the increase is not evenly distributed across the country. Some counties tend to be much older or much younger than others. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Census Bureau data to find the oldest and youngest county in each state.

Florida has a reputation as a top retirement destination, so it might not be surprising that the oldest U.S. county is in the Sunshine State. Sumter County, located in the center of the state between Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, has a median age of 66 years. More than half of the county’s residents are over the age of 65.

The youngest county in the United States is Chattahoochee County, Georgia. It has a median age of just 23.1 years. The youngest state is Utah, with a median age of 30.3 years. Maine is the oldest state, with a median age of 44 years.

In order to determine the oldest and youngest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed age data from the census bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey for each U.S. county.

Click here to see the oldest and youngest county in each state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Source: AuburnPilot / Wikimedia Commons

Alabama
> Youngest: Lee County
> County seat: Opelika
> Median age: 30.5 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.8%
> Total population: 153,947
> Median household income: $45,056

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Source: Rudi Weikard / Wikimedia Commons

Alabama
> Oldest: Cherokee County
> County seat: Centre
> Median age: 45.7 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 20.3%
> Total population: 25,897
> Median household income: $38,925

Source: James Joel / Flickr

Alaska
> Youngest: Kusilvak Census Area
> County seat: Hooper Bay
> Median age: 23.3 (county), 33.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 40.2%
> Total population: 7,993
> Median household income: $38,160

Source: Hans-Jürgen Hübner / Wikimedia Commons

Alaska
> Oldest: Wrangell City and Borough
> County seat: Wrangell
> Median age: 48.8 (county), 33.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 19.7%
> Total population: 2,401
> Median household income: $52,986

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Source: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons

Arizona
> Youngest: Coconino County
> County seat: Flagstaff
> Median age: 30.7 (county), 37.1 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.8%
> Total population: 138,064
> Median household income: $51,106

Source: Kevin Dooley / Wikimedia Commons

Arizona
> Oldest: La Paz County
> County seat: Parker
> Median age: 55.1 (county), 37.1 (state)
> Population 65+: 36.1%
> Total population: 20,304
> Median household income: $36,321

Source: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons

Arkansas
> Youngest: Washington County
> County seat: Fayetteville
> Median age: 31.4 (county), 37.7 (state)
> Population under 18: 25.1%
> Total population: 219,930
> Median household income: $45,442

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Source: Sweetmoose6 / Wikimedia Commons

Arkansas
> Oldest: Baxter County
> County seat: Mountain Home
> Median age: 51.8 (county), 37.7 (state)
> Population 65+: 30.1%
> Total population: 40,992
> Median household income: $38,115

Source: tupungato / iStock

California
> Youngest: Tulare County
> County seat: Visalia
> Median age: 30.4 (county), 36.0 (state)
> Population under 18: 31.5%
> Total population: 455,769
> Median household income: $42,789

Source: Wikimedia Commons

California
> Oldest: Sierra County
> County seat: Downieville
> Median age: 55.2 (county), 36.0 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.1%
> Total population: 2,931
> Median household income: $43,984

Source: Thinkstock

Colorado
> Youngest: Alamosa County
> County seat: Alamosa
> Median age: 30.2 (county), 36.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 24.5%
> Total population: 16,353
> Median household income: $32,385

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Source: Tim Engleman from Saxonburg, PA / Wikimedia Commons

Colorado
> Oldest: Mineral County
> County seat: Creede
> Median age: 61.2 (county), 36.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 37.6%
> Total population: 793
> Median household income: $49,125

Source: Thinkstock

Connecticut
> Youngest: Tolland County
> County seat: Vernon
> Median age: 37.8 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 18.6%
> Total population: 151,689
> Median household income: $80,129

Source: Thinkstock

Connecticut
> Oldest: Litchfield County
> County seat: N/A
> Median age: 46.4 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 18.4%
> Total population: 185,141
> Median household income: $73,519

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Source: JERRYE and ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware
> Youngest: Kent County
> County seat: Dover
> Median age: 37.2 (county), 39.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 23.6%
> Total population: 171,474
> Median household income: $55,184

Source: Eli Pousson / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware
> Oldest: Sussex County
> County seat: Georgetown
> Median age: 47.6 (county), 39.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.2%
> Total population: 211,224
> Median household income: $54,218

Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons

Florida
> Youngest: Leon County
> County seat: Tallahassee
> Median age: 30.3 (county), 41.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 18.8%
> Total population: 284,788
> Median household income: $48,248

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Source: Sumter BOCC / Wikimedia Commons

Florida
> Oldest: Sumter County
> County seat: Bushnell
> Median age: 66.0 (county), 41.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 53.1%
> Total population: 113,589
> Median household income: $52,594

Source: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers / Wikimedia Commons

Georgia
> Youngest: Chattahoochee County
> County seat: Cusseta
> Median age: 23.1 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 23.0%
> Total population: 11,882
> Median household income: $43,929

Source: Gwringle / Wikimedia Commons

Georgia
> Oldest: Union County
> County seat: Blairsville
> Median age: 53.6 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 31.2%
> Total population: 22,033
> Median household income: $41,686

Source: Thinkstock

Hawaii
> Youngest: Honolulu County
> County seat: Honolulu
> Median age: 37.4 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.6%
> Total population: 986,999
> Median household income: $77,161

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Source: Djzanni at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons

Hawaii
> Oldest: Kalawao County
> County seat: Kalaupapa
> Median age: 56.5 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.1%
> Total population: 91
> Median household income: $65,625

Source: Ken Lund / Flickr

Idaho
> Youngest: Madison County
> County seat: Rexburg
> Median age: 23.3 (county), 35.7 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.2%
> Total population: 38,114
> Median household income: $33,856

Source: Jitze Couperus / Wikimedia Commons

Idaho
> Oldest: Boise County
> County seat: Idaho City
> Median age: 53.1 (county), 35.7 (state)
> Population 65+: 22.1%
> Total population: 6,891
> Median household income: $44,591

Source: tzm23 / Shutterstock.com

Illinois
> Youngest: Champaign County
> County seat: Urbana
> Median age: 29.5 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.1%
> Total population: 206,420
> Median household income: $48,899

Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons

Illinois
> Oldest: Pope County
> County seat: Golconda
> Median age: 50.6 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.2%
> Total population: 4,255
> Median household income: $39,243

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Indiana
> Youngest: Tippecanoe County
> County seat: Lafayette
> Median age: 27.9 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.7%
> Total population: 183,397
> Median household income: $47,406

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Source: Cszmurlo / Wikimedia Commons

Indiana
> Oldest: Brown County
> County seat: Nashville
> Median age: 48.3 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 21.0%
> Total population: 14,965
> Median household income: $56,323

Source: Carl Wycoff / Wikimedia Commons

Iowa
> Youngest: Story County
> County seat: Nevada
> Median age: 25.8 (county), 38.0 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.2%
> Total population: 94,834
> Median household income: $51,201

Source: Scott Romine / Wikimedia Commons

Iowa
> Oldest: Dickinson County
> County seat: Spirit Lake
> Median age: 48.8 (county), 38.0 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.0%
> Total population: 17,046
> Median household income: $57,914

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/garettgabriel/

Kansas
> Youngest: Riley County
> County seat: Manhattan
> Median age: 24.9 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.7%
> Total population: 75,026
> Median household income: $46,609

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

Kansas
> Oldest: Decatur County
> County seat: Oberlin
> Median age: 52.1 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.6%
> Total population: 2,886
> Median household income: $41,362

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky
> Youngest: Christian County
> County seat: Hopkinsville
> Median age: 28.3 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.9%
> Total population: 73,936
> Median household income: $40,253

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky
> Oldest: Lyon County
> County seat: Eddyville
> Median age: 49.0 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.1%
> Total population: 8,325
> Median household income: $47,861

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Source: Dylan Dewenter / Wikimedia Commons

Louisiana
> Youngest: Lincoln Parish
> County seat: Ruston
> Median age: 27.4 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.2%
> Total population: 47,480
> Median household income: $34,527

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Louisiana
> Oldest: Pointe Coupee Parish
> County seat: New Roads
> Median age: 42.7 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 18.2%
> Total population: 22,366
> Median household income: $44,275

Source: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons

Maine
> Youngest: Androscoggin County
> County seat: Auburn
> Median age: 40.7 (county), 44.0 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.0%
> Total population: 107,376
> Median household income: $48,728

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Source: Smuconlaw / Wikimedia Commons

Maine
> Oldest: Lincoln County
> County seat: Wiscasset
> Median age: 50.1 (county), 44.0 (state)
> Population 65+: 25.1%
> Total population: 34,165
> Median household income: $53,515

Source: sgoodwin4813 / Wikimedia Commons

Maryland
> Youngest: Wicomico County
> County seat: Salisbury
> Median age: 35.7 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.0%
> Total population: 101,527
> Median household income: $53,508

Source: Talbot County Government

Maryland
> Oldest: Talbot County
> County seat: Easton
> Median age: 49.4 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.4%
> Total population: 37,668
> Median household income: $61,395

Source: Thinkstock

Massachusetts
> Youngest: Suffolk County
> County seat: Boston
> Median age: 32.4 (county), 39.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.2%
> Total population: 767,719
> Median household income: $57,439

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Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts
> Oldest: Barnstable County
> County seat: Barnstable
> Median age: 51.8 (county), 39.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.8%
> Total population: 214,703
> Median household income: $65,382

Source: Rebecca / Wikimedia Commons

Michigan
> Youngest: Isabella County
> County seat: Mount Pleasant
> Median age: 27.0 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.4%
> Total population: 70,574
> Median household income: $40,706

Source: MoodyGroove / Wikimedia Commons

Michigan
> Oldest: Alcona County
> County seat: Harrisville
> Median age: 57.4 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 34.5%
> Total population: 10,461
> Median household income: $38,160

Source: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons

Minnesota
> Youngest: Blue Earth County
> County seat: Mankato
> Median age: 30.5 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.7%
> Total population: 65,524
> Median household income: $52,119

Source: McGhiever / Wikimedia Commons

Minnesota
> Oldest: Aitkin County
> County seat: Aitkin
> Median age: 53.6 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 30.0%
> Total population: 15,722
> Median household income: $44,524

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/redagain/

Mississippi
> Youngest: Oktibbeha County
> County seat: Starkville
> Median age: 25.2 (county), 36.7 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.6%
> Total population: 49,424
> Median household income: $33,431

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Source: Jerrye and Roy Klotz, MD / Wikimedia Commons

Mississippi
> Oldest: Amite County
> County seat: Liberty
> Median age: 46.1 (county), 36.7 (state)
> Population 65+: 20.9%
> Total population: 12,692
> Median household income: $27,334

Source: JERRYE and ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

Missouri
> Youngest: Pulaski County
> County seat: Waynesville
> Median age: 26.9 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.8%
> Total population: 53,302
> Median household income: $49,216

Source: Eric Stuve / Flickr

Missouri
> Oldest: Hickory County
> County seat: Hermitage
> Median age: 54.2 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 32.1%
> Total population: 9,267
> Median household income: $33,113

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Montana
> Youngest: Big Horn County
> County seat: Hardin
> Median age: 30.0 (county), 39.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 33.6%
> Total population: 13,214
> Median household income: $44,136

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Source: Robstutz / Wikimedia Commons

Montana
> Oldest: Golden Valley County
> County seat: Ryegate
> Median age: 54.6 (county), 39.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.5%
> Total population: 730
> Median household income: $44,000

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Nebraska
> Youngest: Thurston County
> County seat: Pender
> Median age: 28.4 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 35.6%
> Total population: 6,989
> Median household income: $42,979

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Nebraska
> Oldest: Hooker County
> County seat: Mullen
> Median age: 59.5 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 37.4%
> Total population: 669
> Median household income: $38,616

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Source: Visitor7 / Wikimedia Commons

Nevada
> Youngest: Elko County
> County seat: Elko
> Median age: 33.5 (county), 37.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.9%
> Total population: 52,029
> Median household income: $74,672

Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

Nevada
> Oldest: Storey County
> County seat: Virginia City
> Median age: 54.4 (county), 37.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 28.7%
> Total population: 3,941
> Median household income: $65,508

Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons

New Hampshire
> Youngest: Strafford County
> County seat: Dover
> Median age: 37.1 (county), 42.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.5%
> Total population: 125,913
> Median household income: $63,533

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

New Hampshire
> Oldest: Carroll County
> County seat: Ossipee
> Median age: 50.9 (county), 42.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.2%
> Total population: 47,416
> Median household income: $56,289

Source: Don Ramey Logan / Wikimedia Commons

New Jersey
> Youngest: Hudson County
> County seat: Jersey City
> Median age: 34.7 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.5%
> Total population: 668,526
> Median household income: $60,894

Source: Paul Lowry / Wikimedia Commons

New Jersey
> Oldest: Cape May County
> County seat: Cape May Court House
> Median age: 48.4 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.9%
> Total population: 95,404
> Median household income: $59,338

Source: Wordbuilder / Wikimedia Commons

New Mexico
> Youngest: Roosevelt County
> County seat: Portales
> Median age: 29.7 (county), 37.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 25.1%
> Total population: 19,618
> Median household income: $34,933

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Source: Thinkstock

New Mexico
> Oldest: Catron County
> County seat: Reserve
> Median age: 58.1 (county), 37.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 34.3%
> Total population: 3,547
> Median household income: $38,142

Source: Hank Erdmann / Shutterstock.com

New York
> Youngest: Tompkins County
> County seat: Ithaca
> Median age: 30.3 (county), 38.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.3%
> Total population: 104,268
> Median household income: $54,133

Source: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / Wikimedia Commons

New York
> Oldest: Hamilton County
> County seat: Lake Pleasant
> Median age: 53.5 (county), 38.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.7%
> Total population: 4,697
> Median household income: $52,708

Source: Tradewinds / Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina
> Youngest: Onslow County
> County seat: Jacksonville
> Median age: 26.4 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 25.4%
> Total population: 185,755
> Median household income: $46,786

Source: Bigskybill / Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina
> Oldest: Polk County
> County seat: Columbus
> Median age: 51.3 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.5%
> Total population: 20,324
> Median household income: $47,396

Source: Andrew Filer / Wikimedia Commons

North Dakota
> Youngest: Sioux County
> County seat: Fort Yates
> Median age: 26.9 (county), 35.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 37.5%
> Total population: 4,431
> Median household income: $39,539

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Source: Andrew Filer / Wikimedia Commons

North Dakota
> Oldest: Grant County
> County seat: Carson
> Median age: 53.6 (county), 35.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.1%
> Total population: 2,369
> Median household income: $45,978

Source: Bill Eichelberger / Flickr

Ohio
> Youngest: Athens County
> County seat: Athens
> Median age: 28.2 (county), 39.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.3%
> Total population: 65,103
> Median household income: $34,221

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Ohio
> Oldest: Noble County
> County seat: Caldwell
> Median age: 47.9 (county), 39.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.5%
> Total population: 14,429
> Median household income: $41,398

Source: Catlady95 / Wikimedia Commons

Oklahoma
> Youngest: Payne County
> County seat: Stillwater
> Median age: 27.1 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.3%
> Total population: 79,953
> Median household income: $38,085

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Source: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons

Oklahoma
> Oldest: McIntosh County
> County seat: Eufaula
> Median age: 47.4 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.7%
> Total population: 20,161
> Median household income: $36,878

Source: Thinkstock

Oregon
> Youngest: Benton County
> County seat: Corvallis
> Median age: 32.6 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.9%
> Total population: 87,455
> Median household income: $52,015

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Oregon
> Oldest: Wheeler County
> County seat: Fossil
> Median age: 59.2 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population 65+: 35.8%
> Total population: 1,369
> Median household income: $33,400

Source: Nicholas / Wikimedia Commons

Pennsylvania
> Youngest: Centre County
> County seat: Bellefonte
> Median age: 30.8 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.3%
> Total population: 159,178
> Median household income: $54,407

Source: Ruhrfisch / Wikimedia Commons

Pennsylvania
> Oldest: Sullivan County
> County seat: Laporte
> Median age: 52.4 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.9%
> Total population: 6,302
> Median household income: $44,926

Source: cmh2315fl / Flickr

Rhode Island
> Youngest: Providence County
> County seat: Providence
> Median age: 37.3 (county), 39.9 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.1%
> Total population: 631,344
> Median household income: $50,637

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Source: Swampyank / Wikimedia Commons

Rhode Island
> Oldest: Newport County
> County seat: N/A
> Median age: 44.2 (county), 39.9 (state)
> Population 65+: 19.2%
> Total population: 82,714
> Median household income: $71,347

Source: KudzuVine / Wikimedia Commons

South Carolina
> Youngest: Richland County
> County seat: Columbia
> Median age: 32.9 (county), 38.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.0%
> Total population: 401,743
> Median household income: $50,899

Source: Bill Fitzpatrick / Wikimedia Commons

South Carolina
> Oldest: McCormick County
> County seat: McCormick
> Median age: 52.4 (county), 38.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 30.4%
> Total population: 9,806
> Median household income: $41,029

Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons

South Dakota
> Youngest: Todd County
> County seat: None
> Median age: 24.3 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 40.3%
> Total population: 10,019
> Median household income: $30,800

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Source: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

South Dakota
> Oldest: Potter County
> County seat: Gettysburg
> Median age: 53.5 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 28.2%
> Total population: 2,306
> Median household income: $47,991

Source: Jugarum / Wikimedia Commons

Tennessee
> Youngest: Montgomery County
> County seat: Clarksville
> Median age: 30.3 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.1%
> Total population: 189,709
> Median household income: $51,528

Source: Brian Stansberry / Wikimedia Commons

Tennessee
> Oldest: Cumberland County
> County seat: Crossville
> Median age: 50.1 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 29.0%
> Total population: 57,895
> Median household income: $40,123

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Source: phototram / Wikimedia Commons

Texas
> Youngest: Brazos County
> County seat: Bryan
> Median age: 25.5 (county), 34.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.6%
> Total population: 209,896
> Median household income: $41,654

Source: Matthew Rutledge / Wikimedia Commons

Texas
> Oldest: Loving County
> County seat: Mentone
> Median age: 58.2 (county), 34.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 25.0%
> Total population: 76
> Median household income: $56,875

Source: TheFatManWhoNeverCameBack / Wikimedia Commons

Utah
> Youngest: Utah County
> County seat: Provo
> Median age: 24.4 (county), 30.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 34.7%
> Total population: 564,177
> Median household income: $64,321

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Source: JERRYE AND KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

Utah
> Oldest: Daggett County
> County seat: Manila
> Median age: 48.7 (county), 30.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 20.2%
> Total population: 751
> Median household income: $75,938

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Vermont
> Youngest: Chittenden County
> County seat: Burlington
> Median age: 36.4 (county), 42.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 18.7%
> Total population: 160,510
> Median household income: $66,414

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mar_ibert/

Vermont
> Oldest: Essex County
> County seat: Guildhall
> Median age: 49.2 (county), 42.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 22.8%
> Total population: 6,173
> Median household income: $39,467

Source: Smash the Iron Cage / Wikimedia Commons

Virginia
> Youngest: Montgomery County
> County seat: Christianburg
> Median age: 27.9 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.0%
> Total population: 97,227
> Median household income: $49,712

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Source: Eric Schena / Wikimedia Commons

Virginia
> Oldest: Highland County
> County seat: Monterey
> Median age: 59.8 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 36.1%
> Total population: 2,230
> Median household income: $44,877

Source: Ilyaunfois / Wikimedia Commons

Washington
> Youngest: Whitman County
> County seat: Colfax
> Median age: 24.2 (county), 37.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.1%
> Total population: 47,494
> Median household income: $38,636

Source: Steven Pavlov / Wikimedia Commons

Washington
> Oldest: Jefferson County
> County seat: Port Townsend
> Median age: 56.2 (county), 37.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 31.6%
> Total population: 30,333
> Median household income: $50,928

Source: Taber Andrew Bain / Wikimedia Commons

West Virginia
> Youngest: Monongalia County
> County seat: Morgantown
> Median age: 30.6 (county), 41.9 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.1%
> Total population: 102,827
> Median household income: $47,060

Source: Skye Marthaler / Wikimedia Commons

West Virginia
> Oldest: Pendleton County
> County seat: Franklin
> Median age: 49.6 (county), 41.9 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.8%
> Total population: 7,291
> Median household income: $37,035

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Wisconsin
> Youngest: Menominee County
> County seat: Keshena
> Median age: 30.8 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population under 18: 32.9%
> Total population: 4,457
> Median household income: $37,147

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Wisconsin
> Oldest: Iron County
> County seat: Hurley
> Median age: 53.2 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population 65+: 28.5%
> Total population: 5,850
> Median household income: $41,270

Source: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

Wyoming
> Youngest: Albany County
> County seat: Laramie
> Median age: 26.6 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.6%
> Total population: 37,836
> Median household income: $43,043

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Wyoming
> Oldest: Hot Springs County
> County seat: Thermopolis
> Median age: 51.4 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.6%
> Total population: 4,781
> Median household income: $46,087

Detailed Findings & Methodology

The oldest counties in each state tend to have much smaller populations than the youngest counties by a wide margin. There are only four states — Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, and Georgia — in which the oldest county is more populous than the youngest. In fact, the oldest counties in Hawaii and Texas have fewer than 100 people.

As people age, they generally need more health care, but since older counties are also less populous, providing proper health care can pose some difficulties. Places with low population density often struggle to get access to medical care, according to the Rural Health Information Hub. People with chronic ailments may be unable to drive themselves to doctors appointments, and with little or no public transit system, many seniors in less populated places may not be able to get to a physician as frequently as they need.

The population disparity between old and young counties likely stems from the tendency of young adults to move more than any other population group. When young people migrate they tend to prefer areas with higher populations. NPR reported millennials may be moving to large urban and suburban areas more than any previous generation.

Utah County, the youngest in Utah, has a population of 564,177. The state’s oldest county, Daggett, has just 751 people. California’s youngest county, Tulare County, has 455,769 residents; its oldest county, Sierra, has only 2,931 residents.

One possible explanation for the clustering of young people in certain counties is the presence of colleges. Several states have large public universities drawing tens of thousands of young people to them year after year.

Texas A&M University, located in Brazos County, Texas, has an enrollment of more than 68,000 students. Those students make up a large chunk of the county’s 209,896 residents. In many other states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, the youngest counties are home to colleges that help draw young people.

In order to determine the oldest and youngest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the median age of each U.S. county from the 2016 American Community Survey. Data on the share of residents 65 and older, the share of residents under 18, total population, and median household income also came from the ACS. Alaska and Louisiana do not refer to their geographic areas as counties. Alaska refers to them as boroughs or census areas and Louisiana refers to them as parishes.