The typical age of the United States population varies between states. To determine the median age in each state, the US Census Bureau conducts the American Community Survey (ACS), an annual survey of millions of Americans about social, economic, and demographic attributes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The purpose of the survey is to help local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand better understand their communities.
The average age in the United States is 38.2 years old. This is a one-year increase from 37.2 in 2010.
States in the western half of the United States tend to have a lower median age than states in the eastern half. The median age ranges from 30.5 years to 44.3 years.
The ten states with the youngest median ages are:
- Utah (30.5)
- Alaska (33.9)
- District of Columbia (33.9)
- Texas (34.3)
- North Dakota (35.1)
- Idaho (35.9)
- California (36.1)
- Kansas (36.3)
- Nebraska (36.3)
- Oklahoma (36.3)
Utah has the youngest median age of 30.5 years. Approximately one-third of Utah’s population is under the age of 18 contributing to the lower median age.
The ten states with the oldest median ages are:
- Maine (44.3)
- Vermont (42.8)
- New Hampshire (42.7)
- West Virginia (42.2)
- Florida (41.8)
- Connecticut (40.8)
- Pennsylvania (40.7)
- Rhode Island (39.9)
- Delaware (39.8)
- Montana (39.8)
Maine has the oldest median age in the United States of 44.3 years. This is attributed to the fact that Maine has a surplus of baby boomers and a shortage of young adults.
Below is a table of each state’s median age, as well as the median ages for males and females.