U.S. median age hits all-time high as Americans delay parenthood.

The U.S. Population is Getting Older

According to recent Census Bureau data, the median age of the U.S. population has reached a record high. Americans now have a median age of 38.9, reflecting a rapidly aging population due to declining birth rates.

This trend has been steadily increasing over the years, with the median age rising from 30 in 1980 to 35 in 2000, and now nearly 39 in 2022. It’s a simple matter of arithmetic – fewer children are being born,” said Andrew A. Beveridge, president of demographic data firm Social Explorer.

States with the Oldest and Youngest Median Ages

• Oldest: Maine (44.8) and New Hampshire (43.3)
• Youngest: Utah (31.9), the District of Columbia (34.8), and Texas (35.5)

Utah, with its large population of Mormons, has one of the highest fertility rates in the U.S., encouraging adherents to have large families. In contrast, Maine’s fertility rate falls far behind Utah’s. It’s clear that fertility rates play a significant role in the median age of a state.

Interestingly, communities with a higher population of black Americans, such as the District of Columbia and Kaufman County, Texas, are staying relatively young compared to the rest of the country. The median ages in both areas are under 35 years old.

Global Aging Trends

The U.S. is not alone in facing an aging population and declining birth rates. European and Asian countries are also experiencing similar challenges. Europe’s median age has reached 44, while Japan holds the title for the oldest country in the world with a median age of 48. In contrast, many African nations have a median age under 20.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on birth rates in the U.S. Initially, there was a decline, followed by a slight increase, and then another decline from 2021 to 2022. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was a less than 1% decline in total births during this period.

Many American families are choosing to delay having children, if they decide to have any at all. The CDC report shows a continued rise in births among women in their early 40s and late 30s, as well as a significant decline in teen births. In fact, teen births have dropped by 80% since 1991. The number of births among women aged 40-44 has remained steady since 1981, with 2020 being the only exception.

Nathan Gay contributed to this report.

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