Oldest County in Every State
According to U.S. Census Bureau projections, retirement-age adults will outnumber Americans under age 18 by 2035 for the first time in history. The aging of the U.S. population is driven by a falling birth rate and long-term improvements in life…
According to U.S. Census Bureau projections, retirement-age adults will outnumber Americans under age 18 by 2035 for the first time in history. The aging of the U.S. population is driven by a falling birth rate and long-term improvements in life expectancy. While these demographic shifts are novel on a national scale, in many parts of the country, they are nothing new.
The median age in the United States is 38 years and is projected to hit 43 years as early as 2060. Age demographics vary considerably by region, and in every state, there are counties where the median age already exceeds Census Bureau’s 2060 projection. 24/7 Tempo reviewed median age by county using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey to identify the oldest county in every state.
As the population ages, the United States will face new economic and public policy challenges. These challenges include increased health care, social security, and pension expenditures, with fewer workers to foot the bill. Not all states will be able to deal with those challenges well. As social and environmental factors vary by region, so too does the quality of life of elderly Americans — these are the worst states to grow old in.
There are currently about 24 retirement-age adults for every 100 working-age adults nationwide. In half of the counties on this list, the old age dependency ratio is at least double the national ratio. In Sumter County, Florida, the oldest county on this list, there are 141 residents age 65 or older for every 100 adults between the ages of 18 and 64.
These counties with a higher median age tend to have relatively small populations that are only getting smaller. Only four counties on this list have populations of over 100,000, and the vast majority of them are home to fewer people now than they were five years ago. Some regions are losing people at an unprecedented rate — these are the fastest shrinking counties in America.
Click here to see the oldest county in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.
1. Alabama: Cherokee County
> Median age: 46.1 years (county), 38.7 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 21.0% (county), 15.7% (state)
> Population: 25,855
> Life expectancy: 75.1 years
> County seat: Centre
[entry-topics ids=”8017″]
2. Alaska: Wrangell City and Borough
> Median age: 49.1 years (borough), 33.9 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 22.4% (borough), 10.1% (state)
> Population: 2,475
> Life expectancy: 78.2 years
> Borough seat: Wrangell
[entry-topics ids=”176″]
3. Arizona: La Paz County
> Median age: 56.0 years (county), 37.2 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 37.3% (county), 16.2% (state)
> Population: 20,477
> Life expectancy: 80.7 years
> County seat: Parker
[entry-topics ids=”24592″]
4. Arkansas: Baxter County
> Median age: 51.8 years (county), 37.9 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 30.5% (county), 16% (state)
> Population: 41,093
> Life expectancy: 76.9 years
> County seat: Mountain Home
[entry-topics ids=”50255″]
5. California: Sierra County
> Median age: 55.0 years (county), 36.1 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 26.4% (county), 13.2% (state)
> Population: 2,885
> Life expectancy: 79.0 years
> County seat: Downieville
[entry-topics ids=”1337″]
6. Colorado: Mineral County
> Median age: 58.5 years (county), 36.5 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 32.4% (county), 13% (state)
> Population: 834
> Life expectancy: 81.3 years
> County seat: Creede
[entry-topics ids=”180″]
7. Connecticut: Litchfield County
> Median age: 46.9 years (county), 40.8 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 19.2% (county), 16% (state)
> Population: 184,454
> Life expectancy: 80.7 years
> Largest city: Torrington
[entry-topics ids=”22247″]
8. Delaware: Sussex County
> Median age: 48.3 years (county), 39.8 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 25.2% (county), 17% (state)
> Population: 215,551
> Life expectancy: 78.8 years
> County seat: Georgetown
[entry-topics ids=”3426″]
9. Florida: Sumter County
> Median age: 66.4 years (county), 41.8 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 54.2% (county), 19.4% (state)
> Population: 116,754
> Life expectancy: 81.7 years
> County seat: Bushnell
[entry-topics ids=”1657″]
10. Georgia: Union County
> Median age: 53.8 years (county), 36.4 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 31.6% (county), 12.7% (state)
> Population: 22,262
> Life expectancy: 78.4 years
> County seat: Blairsville
[entry-topics ids=”22721″]
11. Hawaii: Kalawao County
> Median age: 57.6 years (county), 38.8 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 14.0% (county), 16.7% (state)
> Population: 86
> Life expectancy: 81.0 years
> Largest city: Kalaupapa
[entry-topics ids=”14042″]
12. Idaho: Custer County
> Median age: 53.4 years (county), 35.9 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 29.4% (county), 14.6% (state)
> Population: 4,141
> Life expectancy: 80.4 years
> County seat: Challis
[entry-topics ids=”59347″]
13. Illinois: Pope County
> Median age: 52.2 years (county), 37.7 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 27.9% (county), 14.4% (state)
> Population: 4,360
> Life expectancy: 78.0 years
> County seat: Golconda
[entry-topics ids=”11106″]
14. Indiana: Brown County
> Median age: 49.3 years (county), 37.5 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 23.0% (county), 14.6% (state)
> Population: 15,007
> Life expectancy: 79.4 years
> County seat: Nashville
[entry-topics ids=”35717″]
15. Iowa: Dickinson County
> Median age: 48.7 years (county), 38.1 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 24.3% (county), 16.1% (state)
> Population: 17,000
> Life expectancy: 81.3 years
> County seat: Spirit Lake
[entry-topics ids=”59348″]
16. Kansas: Jewell County
> Median age: 51.9 years (county), 36.3 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 28.4% (county), 14.7% (state)
> Population: 2,963
> Life expectancy: 80.0 years
> County seat: Mankato
[entry-topics ids=”14041″]
17. Kentucky: Lyon County
> Median age: 49.2 years (county), 38.6 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 24.1% (county), 15.2% (state)
> Population: 8,268
> Life expectancy: 76.6 years
> County seat: Eddyville
[entry-topics ids=”59349″]
18. Louisiana: Tensas Parish
> Median age: 44.0 years (parish), 36.4 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 21.9% (parish), 14.1% (state)
> Population: 4,771
> Life expectancy: 74.4 years
> Parish seat: Saint Joseph
[entry-topics ids=”59350″]
19. Maine: Piscataquis County
> Median age: 50.7 years (county), 44.3 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 24.6% (county), 18.8% (state)
> Population: 16,960
> Life expectancy: 78.0 years
> County seat: Dover-Foxcroft
[entry-topics ids=”36448″]
20. Maryland: Talbot County
> Median age: 49.7 years (county), 38.5 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 26.9% (county), 14.2% (state)
> Population: 37,461
> Life expectancy: 80.5 years
> County seat: Easton
[entry-topics ids=”28049″]
21. Massachusetts: Barnstable County
> Median age: 52.4 years (county), 39.4 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 28.5% (county), 15.5% (state)
> Population: 213,900
> Life expectancy: 80.8 years
> County seat: Barnstable
[entry-topics ids=”22627″]
22. Michigan: Alcona County
> Median age: 57.9 years (county), 39.6 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 35.1% (county), 15.9% (state)
> Population: 10,413
> Life expectancy: 78.3 years
> County seat: Harrisville
[entry-topics ids=”11110″]
23. Minnesota: Aitkin County
> Median age: 54.5 years (county), 37.9 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 31.4% (county), 14.6% (state)
> Population: 15,841
> Life expectancy: 80.4 years
> County seat: Aitkin
[entry-topics ids=”19886″]
24. Mississippi: Amite County
> Median age: 46.4 years (county), 36.9 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 21.5% (county), 14.6% (state)
> Population: 12,574
> Life expectancy: 76.2 years
> County seat: Liberty
[entry-topics ids=”59351″]
25. Missouri: Hickory County
> Median age: 54.8 years (county), 38.4 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 33.1% (county), 15.7% (state)
> Population: 9,352
> Life expectancy: 77.3 years
> County seat: Hermitage
[entry-topics ids=”28577″]
26. Montana: Golden Valley County
> Median age: 54.0 years (county), 39.8 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 22.5% (county), 17.1% (state)
> Population: 747
> Life expectancy: 79.7 years
> County seat: Ryegate
[entry-topics ids=”3837″]
27. Nebraska: Hooker County
> Median age: 58.0 years (county), 36.3 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 35.8% (county), 14.7% (state)
> Population: 684
> Life expectancy: 80.4 years
> County seat: Mullen
[entry-topics ids=”11091″]
28. Nevada: Storey County
> Median age: 54.7 years (county), 37.7 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 31.8% (county), 14.6% (state)
> Population: 3,891
> Life expectancy: 82.1 years
> County seat: Virginia City
[entry-topics ids=”59354″]
29. New Hampshire: Carroll County
> Median age: 51.4 years (county), 42.7 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 25.3% (county), 16.5% (state)
> Population: 47,524
> Life expectancy: 80.8 years
> County seat: Ossipee
[entry-topics ids=”22615″]
30. New Jersey: Cape May County
> Median age: 48.7 years (county), 39.6 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 24.5% (county), 15.1% (state)
> Population: 94,549
> Life expectancy: 78.1 years
> County seat: Cape May Court House
[entry-topics ids=”22720″]
31. New Mexico: Catron County
> Median age: 60.2 years (county), 37.3 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 39.2% (county), 15.8% (state)
> Population: 3,547
> Life expectancy: 80.1 years
> County seat: Reserve
[entry-topics ids=”59355″]
32. New York: Hamilton County
> Median age: 53.7 years (county), 38.4 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 27.6% (county), 15.2% (state)
> Population: 4,646
> Life expectancy: 79.3 years
> County seat: Lake Pleasant
[entry-topics ids=”4614″]
33. North Carolina: Polk County
> Median age: 52.1 years (county), 38.4 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 28.3% (county), 15.1% (state)
> Population: 20,434
> Life expectancy: 78.9 years
> County seat: Columbus
[entry-topics ids=”20037″]
34. North Dakota: McIntosh County
> Median age: 53.5 years (county), 35.1 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 32.1% (county), 14.4% (state)
> Population: 2,680
> Life expectancy: 80.6 years
> County seat: Ashley
[entry-topics ids=”15103″]
35. Ohio: Noble County
> Median age: 48.7 years (county), 39.3 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 25.1% (county), 15.9% (state)
> Population: 14,498
> Life expectancy: 81.1 years
> County seat: Caldwell
[entry-topics ids=”4458″]
36. Oklahoma: McIntosh County
> Median age: 47.0 years (county), 36.3 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 24.2% (county), 14.7% (state)
> Population: 19,874
> Life expectancy: 74.7 years
> County seat: Eufaula
[entry-topics ids=”6084″]
37. Oregon: Wheeler County
> Median age: 57.9 years (county), 39.2 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 33.5% (county), 16.3% (state)
> Population: 1,415
> Life expectancy: 79.5 years
> County seat: Fossil
[entry-topics ids=”59358″]
38. Pennsylvania: Sullivan County
> Median age: 53.1 years (county), 40.7 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 26.9% (county), 17.1% (state)
> Population: 6,192
> Life expectancy: 77.0 years
> County seat: Laporte
[entry-topics ids=”11113″]
39. Rhode Island: Newport County
> Median age: 44.6 years (county), 39.9 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 20.1% (county), 16.1% (state)
> Population: 83,204
> Life expectancy: 81.2 years
> Largest city: Newport
[entry-topics ids=”9799″]
40. South Carolina: McCormick County
> Median age: 52.8 years (county), 39.0 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 31.0% (county), 16.3% (state)
> Population: 9,694
> Life expectancy: 77.0 years
> County seat: McCormick
[entry-topics ids=”11112″]
41. South Dakota: Custer County
> Median age: 53.8 years (county), 36.8 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 26.9% (county), 15.4% (state)
> Population: 8,519
> Life expectancy: 80.0 years
> County seat: Custer
[entry-topics ids=”14040″]
42. Tennessee: Cumberland County
> Median age: 50.5 years (county), 38.6 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 29.5% (county), 15.4% (state)
> Population: 58,178
> Life expectancy: 77.6 years
> County seat: Crossville
[entry-topics ids=”59360″]
43. Texas: Loving County
> Median age: 57.5 years (county), 34.3 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 24.3% (county), 11.7% (state)
> Population: 74
> Life expectancy: 73.9 years
> County seat: Mentone
[entry-topics ids=”1575″]
44. Utah: Daggett County
> Median age: 47.3 years (county), 30.5 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 17.0% (county), 10.3% (state)
> Population: 702
> Life expectancy: 81.3 years
> County seat: Manila
[entry-topics ids=”59361″]
45. Vermont: Essex County
> Median age: 50.0 years (county), 42.8 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 23.9% (county), 17.5% (state)
> Population: 6,203
> Life expectancy: 79.7 years
> County seat: Guildhall
[entry-topics ids=”1866″]
46. Virginia: Highland County
> Median age: 60.5 years (county), 38.0 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 38.8% (county), 14.2% (state)
> Population: 2,213
> Life expectancy: 79.8 years
> County seat: Monterey
[entry-topics ids=”1834″]
47. Washington: Jefferson County
> Median age: 57.1 years (county), 37.6 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 33.0% (county), 14.4% (state)
> Population: 30,524
> Life expectancy: 81.3 years
> County seat: Port Townsend
[entry-topics ids=”8439″]
48. West Virginia: Pendleton County
> Median age: 49.9 years (county), 42.2 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 25.1% (county), 18.3% (state)
> Population: 7,138
> Life expectancy: 79.3 years
> County seat: Franklin
[entry-topics ids=”38858″]
49. Wisconsin: Iron County
> Median age: 53.8 years (county), 39.2 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 28.6% (county), 15.6% (state)
> Population: 5,748
> Life expectancy: 79.3 years
> County seat: Hurley
[entry-topics ids=”11108″]
50. Wyoming: Hot Springs County
> Median age: 49.7 years (county), 37.0 years (state)
> Pop. 65 and older: 25.0% (county), 14.4% (state)
> Population: 4,741
> Life expectancy: 77.1 years
> County seat: Thermopolis
[entry-topics ids=”19422″]
Methodology:
To identify the oldest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the median age of each U.S. county from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey. Data on the share of residents 65 and older, population change, and old age dependency ratio also came from the ACS. In Alaska, county equivalents are referred to as boroughs or census areas, and in Louisiana, parishes are county equivalents. In counties without a county seat, the most populous city is listed.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Sam Stebbins is a writer at 247WallSt.com where his primary focus is on government policy, politics, companies, and broad social and economic trends. Sam has been writing in the money and news verticals for over 8 years and holds a bachelor's degree from Hobart College, which he earned in 2010. Sam resides in upstate New York and enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, and skiing in the Adirondack Mountains and across the Northeast.
