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The Oldest County in Every State

The Oldest County in Every State

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.)

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: MCCAIG / iStock via Getty Images

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

Source: Pcrh / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Ryan Bollard / iStock via Getty Images

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

Source: Eli Pousson / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

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

Source: Djzanni / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Karthikc123 / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Kenneth_Keifer / Getty Images

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

Source: Nst101 / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: TimK MSI / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Elkman / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

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

Source: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

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

Source: Doug Kerr / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Doug Kerr / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Rudi Riet / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: jferrer / iStock via Getty Images

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

Source: Royalbroil / Wikimedia Commons

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

Source: Magicpiano / Wikimedia Commons

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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