More than half of all Americans are currently under 38 years of age. By 2060, however, the majority will be at least 43-years-old, according to Census Bureau projections. Though the United States as a whole is aging rapidly, there are parts of the country where the number of young people is a defining demographic characteristic.
The increasingly aging population is largely the product of a falling birth rate and long-term improvements in life expectancy. Despite this trend, almost every state has at least one county where the median age is far lower than typical. 24/7 Tempo reviewed median age by county using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey to identify the youngest county in every state. These counties are often urban and include independent cities in Maryland and Virginia that effectively function as counties.
Many of the counties on this list are home to large colleges and universities. As the vast majority of the 19.9 million college and university students in the United States are under 25 years old, the presence of a post-secondary institution can reduce the median age of any county. Several of the counties on this list are home to large public universities, and in some, more than one in every four residents are enrolled in college or graduate school.
Though school is not the only reason young people relocate. People in their 20s and 30s move for work, friends, family, and a desire to live somewhere they love. These are the 40 cities young people are moving to.
Some counties on this list skew younger due to a growing number of new families. In the youngest counties in Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah, more than one in every 10 residents are under age 5. New families can also drive population growth, and the vast majority of counties on this list are larger now than they were five years ago. Almost every state in the country has at least one county or county equivalent where the population grew at a faster rate than the nation as a whole since 2010. These are each state’s fastest growing county.
Just because a county has the youngest population in the state does not necessarily mean it is younger than the United States as a whole. In both Connecticut and Maine, the median age in the youngest county is higher than the 37.8-year national median. Both Connecticut and Maine rank among the oldest states in the country, with median ages of 40.8 years and 44.3 years respectively. Life expectancy in some states increased by just three years since 1980, and by as much as nine years in others — these are the states where people live the longest.
Click here to see the youngest county in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.
Source: hyku / Flickr
1. Alabama: Lee County
> Median age: 31.0 years (county), 38.7 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 21.6% (county), 22.7% (state)
> Population: 156,597
> Life expectancy: 76.5 years
> County seat: Opelika
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
2. Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area
> Median age: 24.0 years (borough), 33.9 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 39.7% (borough), 25.2% (state)
> Population: 8,129
> Life expectancy: 70.8 years
> Largest city: Hooper Bay
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Source: fdastudillo / Getty Images
3. Arizona: Coconino County
> Median age: 30.6 years (county), 37.2 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 21.5% (county), 23.8% (state)
> Population: 138,639
> Life expectancy: 79.4 years
> County seat: Flagstaff
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Source: arkansasoutside / Flickr
4. Arkansas: Washington County
> Median age: 31.5 years (county), 37.9 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 24.9% (county), 23.7% (state)
> Population: 223,683
> Life expectancy: 78.1 years
> County seat: Fayetteville
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Source: tupungato / Getty Images
5. California: Tulare County
> Median age: 30.6 years (county), 36.1 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 31.4% (county), 23.4% (state)
> Population: 458,809
> Life expectancy: 78.3 years
> County seat: Visalia
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Source: Jeffrey Beall / Wikimedia Commons
6. Colorado: Alamosa County
> Median age: 30.3 years (county), 36.5 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 24.3% (county), 23% (state)
> Population: 16,345
> Life expectancy: 77.4 years
> County seat: Alamosa
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Source: jjbers / Flickr
7. Connecticut: Tolland County
> Median age: 37.9 years (county), 40.8 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 18.1% (county), 21.2% (state)
> Population: 151,596
> Life expectancy: 81.6 years
> Largest city: Vernon
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Source: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons
8. Delaware: Kent County
> Median age: 37.3 years (county), 39.8 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 23.4% (county), 21.6% (state)
> Population: 173,145
> Life expectancy: 77.5 years
> County seat: Dover
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Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
9. Florida: Leon County
> Median age: 30.5 years (county), 41.8 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 18.8% (county), 20.3% (state)
> Population: 285,890
> Life expectancy: 79.4 years
> County seat: Tallahassee
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Source: ganatlguard / Flickr
10. Georgia: Chattahoochee County
> Median age: 23.7 years (county), 36.4 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 22.3% (county), 24.5% (state)
> Population: 11,096
> Life expectancy: 77.1 years
> County seat: Cusseta
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Source: Thinkstock
11. Hawaii: Honolulu County
> Median age: 37.6 years (county), 38.8 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 21.4% (county), 21.6% (state)
> Population: 990,060
> Life expectancy: 81.4 years
> County seat: Honolulu
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
12. Idaho: Madison County
> Median age: 23.5 years (county), 35.9 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 27.1% (county), 26.2% (state)
> Population: 38,241
> Life expectancy: 81.1 years
> County seat: Rexburg
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Source: eyfoto / Getty Images
13. Illinois: Champaign County
> Median age: 29.7 years (county), 37.7 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 19.0% (county), 23% (state)
> Population: 207,946
> Life expectancy: 80.3 years
> County seat: Urbana
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
14. Indiana: Tippecanoe County
> Median age: 28.1 years (county), 37.5 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 20.7% (county), 23.9% (state)
> Population: 186,081
> Life expectancy: 79.1 years
> County seat: Lafayette
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Source: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
15. Iowa: Story County
> Median age: 25.9 years (county), 38.1 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 16.9% (county), 23.4% (state)
> Population: 95,888
> Life expectancy: 82.1 years
> County seat: Nevada
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
16. Kansas: Riley County
> Median age: 24.9 years (county), 36.3 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 16.9% (county), 24.7% (state)
> Population: 75,696
> Life expectancy: 81.5 years
> County seat: Manhattan
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
17. Kentucky: Christian County
> Median age: 28.4 years (county), 38.6 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 27.6% (county), 22.9% (state)
> Population: 72,438
> Life expectancy: 75.6 years
> County seat: Hopkinsville
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Source: texasbackroads / Flickr
18. Louisiana: Lincoln Parish
> Median age: 27.6 years (parish), 36.4 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 20.2% (parish), 23.9% (state)
> Population: 47,536
> Life expectancy: 77.4 years
> Parish seat: Ruston
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Source: sociotechnika / Flickr
19. Maine: Androscoggin County
> Median age: 40.7 years (county), 44.3 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 21.9% (county), 19.3% (state)
> Population: 107,317
> Life expectancy: 78.3 years
> County seat: Auburn
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Source: JNix / Shutterstock.com
20. Maryland: Baltimore
> Median age: 35.0 years (county), 38.5 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 21.0% (county), 22.5% (state)
> Population: 619,796
> Life expectancy: 72.1 years
> County seat: N/A
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Source: danlogan / iStock
21. Massachusetts: Suffolk County
> Median age: 32.6 years (county), 39.4 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 17.0% (county), 20.4% (state)
> Population: 780,685
> Life expectancy: 79.9 years
> County seat: Boston
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Source: Rebecca / Wikimedia Commons
22. Michigan: Isabella County
> Median age: 27.4 years (county), 39.6 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 17.4% (county), 22.3% (state)
> Population: 70,572
> Life expectancy: 79.1 years
> County seat: Mount Pleasant
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Source: jferrer / Getty Images
23. Minnesota: Blue Earth County
> Median age: 30.6 years (county), 37.9 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 19.7% (county), 23.4% (state)
> Population: 65,767
> Life expectancy: 81.0 years
> County seat: Mankato
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Source: digitalcj / Flickr
24. Mississippi: Oktibbeha County
> Median age: 25.4 years (county), 36.9 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 17.5% (county), 24.3% (state)
> Population: 49,392
> Life expectancy: 77.9 years
> County seat: Starkville
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Source: 10189008@N05 / Flickr
25. Missouri: Adair County
> Median age: 27.3 years (county), 38.4 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 18.0% (county), 22.9% (state)
> Population: 25,437
> Life expectancy: 78.0 years
> County seat: Kirksville
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Source: afiler / Flickr
26. Montana: Big Horn County
> Median age: 29.9 years (county), 39.8 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 33.6% (county), 22% (state)
> Population: 13,290
> Life expectancy: 73.6 years
> County seat: Hardin
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. Nebraska: Thurston County
> Median age: 28.1 years (county), 36.3 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 35.6% (county), 24.8% (state)
> Population: 7,055
> Life expectancy: 73.9 years
> County seat: Pender
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Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images
28. Nevada: Elko County
> Median age: 34.1 years (county), 37.7 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 27.7% (county), 23.2% (state)
> Population: 52,377
> Life expectancy: 78.3 years
> County seat: Elko
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Source: mountinez / Getty Images
29. New Hampshire: Strafford County
> Median age: 37.0 years (county), 42.7 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 19.3% (county), 19.8% (state)
> Population: 126,552
> Life expectancy: 79.5 years
> County seat: Dover
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
30. New Jersey: Hudson County
> Median age: 34.9 years (county), 39.6 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 20.4% (county), 22.3% (state)
> Population: 679,756
> Life expectancy: 80.3 years
> County seat: Jersey City
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Source: Wordbuilder / Wikimedia Commons
31. New Mexico: Roosevelt County
> Median age: 29.7 years (county), 37.3 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 24.6% (county), 23.9% (state)
> Population: 19,313
> Life expectancy: 77.9 years
> County seat: Portales
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Source: benedek / Getty Images
32. New York: Tompkins County
> Median age: 30.4 years (county), 38.4 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 15.2% (county), 21.2% (state)
> Population: 104,415
> Life expectancy: 81.2 years
> County seat: Ithaca
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Source: jacksonvillenc.gov
33. North Carolina: Onslow County
> Median age: 26.0 years (county), 38.4 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 24.5% (county), 22.8% (state)
> Population: 192,685
> Life expectancy: 77.6 years
> County seat: Jacksonville
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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/afiler/
34. North Dakota: Sioux County
> Median age: 26.9 years (county), 35.1 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 37.5% (county), 22.9% (state)
> Population: 4,420
> Life expectancy: 68.6 years
> County seat: Fort Yates
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Source: OhioOat / Wikimedia Commons
35. Ohio: Athens County
> Median age: 28.6 years (county), 39.3 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 15.0% (county), 22.6% (state)
> Population: 65,563
> Life expectancy: 76.9 years
> County seat: Athens
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
36. Oklahoma: Payne County
> Median age: 27.2 years (county), 36.3 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 19.4% (county), 24.5% (state)
> Population: 80,634
> Life expectancy: 78.4 years
> County seat: Stillwater
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Source: Thinkstock
37. Oregon: Benton County
> Median age: 32.8 years (county), 39.2 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 16.7% (county), 21.5% (state)
> Population: 88,249
> Life expectancy: 82.1 years
> County seat: Corvallis
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Source: aimintang / Getty Images
38. Pennsylvania: Centre County
> Median age: 31.3 years (county), 40.7 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 15.3% (county), 21% (state)
> Population: 160,646
> Life expectancy: 81.9 years
> County seat: Bellefonte
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
39. Rhode Island: Providence County
> Median age: 37.3 years (county), 39.9 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 20.9% (county), 19.9% (state)
> Population: 633,704
> Life expectancy: 79.3 years
> Largest city: Providence
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
40. South Carolina: Richland County
> Median age: 33.0 years (county), 39.0 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 21.8% (county), 22.3% (state)
> Population: 404,869
> Life expectancy: 77.4 years
> County seat: Columbia
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Source: Courtesy of Túlio Assis via Flickr
41. South Dakota: Todd County
> Median age: 24.4 years (county), 36.8 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 40.1% (county), 24.7% (state)
> Population: 10,016
> Life expectancy: 68.5 years
> County seat: Winner
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
42. Tennessee: Montgomery County
> Median age: 30.5 years (county), 38.6 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 27.0% (county), 22.7% (state)
> Population: 192,120
> Life expectancy: 76.7 years
> County seat: Clarksville
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Source: phototram / Wikimedia Commons
43. Texas: Brazos County
> Median age: 25.8 years (county), 34.3 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 20.6% (county), 26.3% (state)
> Population: 214,231
> Life expectancy: 79.9 years
> County seat: Bryan
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Source: kenlh / Getty Images
44. Utah: Utah County
> Median age: 24.5 years (county), 30.5 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 34.5% (county), 30.4% (state)
> Population: 576,496
> Life expectancy: 80.8 years
> County seat: Provo
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Source: Thinkstock
45. Vermont: Chittenden County
> Median age: 36.6 years (county), 42.8 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 18.4% (county), 19.2% (state)
> Population: 160,985
> Life expectancy: 81.4 years
> County seat: Burlington
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Source: Joel Carillet / Getty Images
46. Virginia: Lexington
> Median age: 21.6 years (county), 38.0 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 7.6% (county), 22.3% (state)
> Population: 7,113
> Life expectancy: 80.3 years
> County seat: N/A
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Source: redfishweb / Getty Images
47. Washington: Whitman County
> Median age: 24.5 years (county), 37.6 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 15.1% (county), 22.5% (state)
> Population: 47,794
> Life expectancy: 81.4 years
> County seat: Colfax
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Source: BackyardProduction / Getty Images
48. West Virginia: Monongalia County
> Median age: 30.9 years (county), 42.2 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 16.3% (county), 20.5% (state)
> Population: 103,715
> Life expectancy: 79.2 years
> County seat: Morgantown
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Source: Royalbroil / Wikimedia Commons
49. Wisconsin: Menominee County
> Median age: 31.4 years (county), 39.2 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 32.4% (county), 22.5% (state)
> Population: 4,506
> Life expectancy: 72.8 years
> County seat: Keshena
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Source: RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images
50. Wyoming: Albany County
> Median age: 27.1 years (county), 37.0 years (state)
> Pop. under 18: 16.4% (county), 23.7% (state)
> Population: 37,944
> Life expectancy: 80.5 years
> County seat: Laramie
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Methodology:
To identify the youngest 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 under 18 years, the share under 5 years, and population changes 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. In our analysis, we included independent cities, which the Census categorizes alongside counties. In counties without a county seat, the most populous city is listed. We did not list a county seat of most populous city for independent cities.
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