In 2023, the median age of the population of the United States was 39.2 years. While this may seem quite young, the median age in 1960 was even younger, at 29.5 years.
The aging population in the United States means that society is going to have to find a way to adapt to the larger numbers of older people. Everything from Social Security to employment to the age of retirement will have to change if the population is expected to age more while having fewer children.
The world is getting older
It’s not only the United States that is facing this particular demographic dilemma. In 1950, the global median age was 23.6 years. This number is projected to increase to 41.9 years by the year 2100. This means that not only the U.S., but the rest of the world will also have to find ways to adapt to the aging population.
Median age of the resident population of the United States from 1960 to 2023
Characteristic
Median age in years
2023
39.2
2022
39
2021
38.8
2020
38.6
2019
38.4
2018
38.2
2017
38
2016
37.9
2015
37.8
2014
37.7
2013
37.6
2012
37.4
2011
37.3
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US Census Bureau. (December 17, 2023). Median age of the resident population of the United States from 1960 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/241494/median-age-of-the-us-population/
US Census Bureau. "Median age of the resident population of the United States from 1960 to 2023." Chart. December 17, 2023. Statista. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/241494/median-age-of-the-us-population/
US Census Bureau. (2023). Median age of the resident population of the United States from 1960 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 28, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/241494/median-age-of-the-us-population/
US Census Bureau. "Median Age of The Resident Population of The United States from 1960 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 17 Dec 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/241494/median-age-of-the-us-population/
US Census Bureau, Median age of the resident population of the United States from 1960 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/241494/median-age-of-the-us-population/ (last visited April 28, 2025)
Median age of the resident population of the United States from 1960 to 2023 [Graph], US Census Bureau, December 17, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/241494/median-age-of-the-us-population/
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