America is an aging nation: Baby boomers are reaching retirement (the oldest turned 65 in 2011), and due to declining birth rates and limits on immigration, the population of the U.S. in 2021 grew by just 0.1% – the lowest rate since the nation’s founding. (These, though, are the states with the highest birth rates.)
The number of Americans older than 55 has increased by 27% over the last decade, 20 times faster than the growth rate of those under 55, according to Census data. The median age in the US is about 38. By 2060, it is forecast to be 43.
Every state has at least one county or county equivalent where the median age is more than five years above the national median. To determine the county in every state with the oldest population, 24/7 Tempo reviewed five-year data on median age in each county from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. Counties and their equivalents were ranked based on the median age of all residents.
Supplemental data on total population is also based on five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS. Data on life expectancy by county came from the 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a joint program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The identity of county seats comes from the National Association of Counties County Explorer.
The median age is over 50 in 37 counties on this list, and in three counties – Custer (Colorado), Sumter (Florida), and Loving (Texas) – it’s over 60. (These are the worst states in which to grow old.)
Click here to see the county with the oldest population in every state
Most of the counties with an older population are small. Thirty-six of them have a population of fewer than 20,000 people, and four have a population under 1,000. The smallest one on the list is Loving County in Texas, with just 117 residents.
A county can have a higher-than-average median age for a variety of reasons. It can be a retirement destination, for instance, or be lacking in such institutions as colleges, large corporations, or military bases that would attract a younger demographic.
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Alabama: Coosa County
> Median Age: 49.0 years (state: 39.2 years)
> Population 65 and over: 23.3% (state: 16.9%)
> Total population: 10,696
> Life expectancy: 74.9 years
> County seat: Rockford
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Alaska: Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
> Median Age: 52.1 years (state: 34.6 years)
> Population 65 and over: 22.6% (state: 11.9%)
> Total population: 2,135
> Life expectancy: 84.2 years
> County seat: None
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Arizona: La Paz County
> Median Age: 57.4 years (state: 37.9 years)
> Population 65 and over: 39.8% (state: 17.6%)
> Total population: 21,035
> Life expectancy: 77.2 years
> County seat: Parker
Arkansas: Baxter County
> Median Age: 52.3 years (state: 38.3 years)
> Population 65 and over: 31.2% (state: 16.9%)
> Total population: 41,673
> Life expectancy: 77.0 years
> County seat: Mountain Home
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California: Sierra County
> Median Age: 54.0 years (state: 36.7 years)
> Population 65 and over: 28.2% (state: 14.3%)
> Total population: 2,898
> Life expectancy: 81.5 years
> County seat: Downieville
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Colorado: Custer County
> Median Age: 60.1 years (state: 36.9 years)
> Population 65 and over: 34.0% (state: 14.2%)
> Total population: 4,941
> Life expectancy: 77.8 years
> County seat: Westcliffe
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Connecticut: Litchfield County
> Median Age: 47.5 years (state: 41.1 years)
> Population 65 and over: 21.3% (state: 17.2%)
> Total population: 181,143
> Life expectancy: 80.0 years
> County seat: None
Delaware: Sussex County
> Median Age: 50.3 years (state: 41.0 years)
> Population 65 and over: 27.9% (state: 18.8%)
> Total population: 230,249
> Life expectancy: 78.7 years
> County seat: Georgetown
Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons
Florida: Sumter County
> Median Age: 68.0 years (state: 42.2 years)
> Population 65 and over: 57.8% (state: 20.5%)
> Total population: 129,938
> Life expectancy: 80.4 years
> County seat: Bushnell
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Georgia: Quitman County
> Median Age: 56.9 years (state: 36.9 years)
> Population 65 and over: 31.0% (state: 13.9%)
> Total population: 2,290
> Life expectancy: 70.9 years
> County seat: Georgetown
Hawaii: Kalawao County
> Median Age: 43.8 years (state: 39.4 years)
> Population 65 and over: 2.1% (state: 18.4%)
> Total population: 436
> Life expectancy: N/A
> County seat: None
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Idaho: Adams County
> Median Age: 55.3 years (state: 36.6 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.1% (state: 15.8%)
> Total population: 4,200
> Life expectancy: 80.1 years
> County seat: Council
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Illinois: Pope County
> Median Age: 56.8 years (state: 38.3 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.6% (state: 15.7%)
> Total population: 4,177
> Life expectancy: 80.3 years
> County seat: Golconda
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Indiana: Brown County
> Median Age: 49.3 years (state: 37.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 24.3% (state: 15.7%)
> Total population: 15,093
> Life expectancy: 79.1 years
> County seat: Nashville
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Iowa: Audubon County
> Median Age: 48.5 years (state: 38.3 years)
> Population 65 and over: 24.7% (state: 17.1%)
> Total population: 5,528
> Life expectancy: 76.4 years
> County seat: Audubon
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Kansas: Jewell County
> Median Age: 52.8 years (state: 36.9 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.5% (state: 15.8%)
> Total population: 2,854
> Life expectancy: 81.6 years
> County seat: Mankato
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Kentucky: Lyon County
> Median Age: 50.3 years (state: 39.0 years)
> Population 65 and over: 27.3% (state: 16.4%)
> Total population: 8,226
> Life expectancy: 75.9 years
> County seat: Eddyville
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Louisiana: Cameron Parish
> Median Age: 44.9 years (state: 37.2 years)
> Population 65 and over: 18.1% (state: 15.4%)
> Total population: 6,963
> Life expectancy: 81.7 years
> County seat: Cameron
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Maine: Piscataquis County
> Median Age: 51.5 years (state: 44.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 26.4% (state: 20.6%)
> Total population: 16,864
> Life expectancy: 76.7 years
> County seat: Dover-Foxcroft
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Maryland: Talbot County
> Median Age: 51.0 years (state: 38.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 29.2% (state: 15.4%)
> Total population: 37,087
> Life expectancy: 80.4 years
> County seat: Easton
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Massachusetts: Barnstable County
> Median Age: 53.7 years (state: 39.6 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.5% (state: 16.5%)
> Total population: 213,505
> Life expectancy: 79.7 years
> County seat: Barnstable
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Michigan: Ontonagon County
> Median Age: 59.1 years (state: 39.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 36.3% (state: 17.2%)
> Total population: 5,802
> Life expectancy: 78.3 years
> County seat: Ontonagon
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Minnesota: Aitkin County
> Median Age: 55.9 years (state: 38.1 years)
> Population 65 and over: 33.1% (state: 15.8%)
> Total population: 15,826
> Life expectancy: 78.7 years
> County seat: Aitkin
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Mississippi: Amite County
> Median Age: 47.3 years (state: 37.7 years)
> Population 65 and over: 23.5% (state: 15.9%)
> Total population: 12,341
> Life expectancy: 77.0 years
> County seat: Liberty
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Missouri: Hickory County
> Median Age: 55.0 years (state: 38.7 years)
> Population 65 and over: 33.4% (state: 16.9%)
> Total population: 9,452
> Life expectancy: 75.6 years
> County seat: Hermitage
Montana: Treasure County
> Median Age: 57.8 years (state: 40.1 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.1% (state: 18.7%)
> Total population: 614
> Life expectancy: N/A
> County seat: Hysham
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Nebraska: Wheeler County
> Median Age: 58.9 years (state: 36.6 years)
> Population 65 and over: 31.8% (state: 15.7%)
> Total population: 689
> Life expectancy: N/A
> County seat: Bartlett
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Nevada: Esmeralda County
> Median Age: 54.6 years (state: 38.2 years)
> Population 65 and over: 25.4% (state: 15.8%)
> Total population: 1,030
> Life expectancy: N/A
> County seat: Goldfield
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New Hampshire: Carroll County
> Median Age: 53.4 years (state: 43.0 years)
> Population 65 and over: 28.3% (state: 18.1%)
> Total population: 48,461
> Life expectancy: 79.6 years
> County seat: Ossipee
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New Jersey: Cape May County
> Median Age: 50.3 years (state: 40.0 years)
> Population 65 and over: 26.6% (state: 16.2%)
> Total population: 92,701
> Life expectancy: 77.1 years
> County seat: Cape May Court House
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New Mexico: Catron County
> Median Age: 59.4 years (state: 38.1 years)
> Population 65 and over: 41.6% (state: 17.4%)
> Total population: 3,547
> Life expectancy: 81.7 years
> County seat: Reserve
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New York: Hamilton County
> Median Age: 55.5 years (state: 39.0 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.8% (state: 16.5%)
> Total population: 4,454
> Life expectancy: 78.9 years
> County seat: Lake Pleasant
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North Carolina: Brunswick County
> Median Age: 54.7 years (state: 38.9 years)
> Population 65 and over: 31.5% (state: 16.3%)
> Total population: 137,303
> Life expectancy: 78.9 years
> County seat: Bolivia
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North Dakota: Griggs County
> Median Age: 54.4 years (state: 35.2 years)
> Population 65 and over: 32.0% (state: 15.3%)
> Total population: 2,314
> Life expectancy: 79.5 years
> County seat: Cooperstown
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Ohio: Noble County
> Median Age: 51.2 years (state: 39.5 years)
> Population 65 and over: 27.4% (state: 17.0%)
> Total population: 14,410
> Life expectancy: 81.8 years
> County seat: Caldwell
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Oklahoma: McIntosh County
> Median Age: 47.7 years (state: 36.7 years)
> Population 65 and over: 25.7% (state: 15.7%)
> Total population: 19,677
> Life expectancy: 74.7 years
> County seat: Eufaula
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Oregon: Wheeler County
> Median Age: 56.9 years (state: 39.5 years)
> Population 65 and over: 34.4% (state: 17.6%)
> Total population: 1,417
> Life expectancy: N/A
> County seat: Fossil
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania: Sullivan County
> Median Age: 54.5 years (state: 40.9 years)
> Population 65 and over: 28.0% (state: 18.3%)
> Total population: 6,038
> Life expectancy: 77.5 years
> County seat: Laporte
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Rhode Island: Newport County
> Median Age: 45.8 years (state: 40.0 years)
> Population 65 and over: 22.2% (state: 17.3%)
> Total population: 82,731
> Life expectancy: 81.6 years
> County seat: Newport
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South Carolina: McCormick County
> Median Age: 56.6 years (state: 39.7 years)
> Population 65 and over: 34.5% (state: 17.7%)
> Total population: 9,495
> Life expectancy: 72.5 years
> County seat: McCormick
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South Dakota: Custer County
> Median Age: 55.9 years (state: 37.2 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.6% (state: 16.7%)
> Total population: 8,826
> Life expectancy: 80.0 years
> County seat: Custer
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Tennessee: Cumberland County
> Median Age: 51.8 years (state: 38.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.8% (state: 16.4%)
> Total population: 60,016
> Life expectancy: 76.6 years
> County seat: Crossville
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Texas: Loving County
> Median Age: 62.2 years (state: 34.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 45.3% (state: 12.5%)
> Total population: 117
> Life expectancy: N/A
> County seat: Mentone
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Utah: Piute County
> Median Age: 53.4 years (state: 31.1 years)
> Population 65 and over: 32.0% (state: 11.1%)
> Total population: 1,870
> Life expectancy: 0.0 years
> County seat: Junction
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Vermont: Essex County
> Median Age: 51.4 years (state: 42.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 26.2% (state: 19.4%)
> Total population: 6,179
> Life expectancy: 78.1 years
> County seat: Guildhall
Virginia: Highland County
> Median Age: 59.5 years (state: 38.4 years)
> Population 65 and over: 38.8% (state: 15.4%)
> Total population: 2,202
> Life expectancy: 81.3 years
> County seat: Monterey
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Washington: Jefferson County
> Median Age: 59.0 years (state: 37.8 years)
> Population 65 and over: 36.4% (state: 15.4%)
> Total population: 31,825
> Life expectancy: 81.1 years
> County seat: Port Townsend
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West Virginia: Pendleton County
> Median Age: 51.8 years (state: 42.7 years)
> Population 65 and over: 28.1% (state: 19.9%)
> Total population: 6,968
> Life expectancy: 77.7 years
> County seat: Franklin
Wisconsin: Iron County
> Median Age: 55.6 years (state: 39.6 years)
> Population 65 and over: 30.8% (state: 16.9%)
> Total population: 5,679
> Life expectancy: 78.5 years
> County seat: Hurley
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Wyoming: Platte County
> Median Age: 48.8 years (state: 38.0 years)
> Population 65 and over: 24.3% (state: 16.4%)
> Total population: 8,572
> Life expectancy: 78.3 years
> County seat: Wheatland
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