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Oldest County in Every State

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 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 Wall St. reviewed median age by county 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.

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. Litchfield, Connecticut, is not only the oldest, but also the fastest shrinking, county in the state.

Source: Rudi Weikard / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: brewbooks / Flickr

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

Source: lovz2hike / Flickr

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

Source: Archedamian / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: fringedbenefit / Flickr

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

Source: brandtbolding / Getty Images

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

Source: Mobilus In Mobili / Flickr

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

Source: Ken Badgley / Getty Images

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

Source: jeffgunn / Flickr

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

Source: quid-tum / Flickr

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

Source: blmidaho / Flickr

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

Source: roadgeek / Flickr

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

Source: Kenneth_Keifer / Getty Images

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

Source: TheCatalyst31 / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: tomlinson_chris / Flickr

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

Source: 144957155@N06 / Flickr

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

Source: kenlund / Flickr

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

Source: David Wilson / Flickr

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

Source: Joesboy / Getty Images

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

Source: adoyle / Flickr

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

Source: MoodyGroove / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: shalynn / Flickr

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

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

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

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

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

Source: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: kenlund / Flickr

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

Source: pennuja / Flickr

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

Source: sparhawk4242 / Getty Images

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

Source: 50228879@N00 / Flickr

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

Source: DebraMillet / Getty Images

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: afiler / Flickr

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

Source: 123443334@N07 / Flickr

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

Source: freewine / Flickr

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

Source: raschau / Flickr

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

Source: nicholas_t / Flickr

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

Source: Image Source / Getty Images

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

Source: sirmildredpierce / Flickr

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

Source: volvob12b / Flickr

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

Source: thingsisee / Flickr

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

Source: rutlo / Flickr

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

Source: JERRYE AND KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: mar_ibert / Flickr

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

Source: Joe_Potato / Getty Images

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

Source: Steven Pavlov / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Royalbroil / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: tnovotny / Flickr

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


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.

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