Short Answer
Median age is one of the clearest indicators of a state’s demographic profile. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 population estimates, the national median age reached 39.4 years on July 1, 2025, up from 38.6 in April 2020. The state-by-state picture remains sharply divided: Maine and other Northeastern states are among the oldest, while Utah and several Western states remain much younger. These differences shape labor markets, housing demand, school enrollment, and health-care planning.
Key Numbers
- U.S. median age, July 1, 2025: 39.4 years
- Male median age: 38.1 years; female median age: 40.7 years
- Oldest state (2024): Maine, 44.8 years
- Youngest state (2024): Utah, 32.1 years
- Alabama, 2025: 39.8 years; Alaska, 2025: 36.7 years
- Increase since April 2020: +0.8 years nationally
- Gender gap: women’s median age is 2.6 years higher than men’s nationally
- States at or above 40 years (2024): 17
Explanation
The median age is the age at which half the population is younger and half is older. Unlike the average age, it is not pulled upward by a small number of very old residents or downward by a large number of children, so it gives a stable summary of a population’s age structure.
The U.S. Census Bureau produces annual state population estimates by age and sex through its Vintage series. The Vintage 2025 release covers April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025. These estimates build on the 2020 Census and are updated with data on births, deaths, and migration.
States age differently because of three main forces: fertility, mortality, and migration. Retirement destinations attract older adults, while states with strong job growth or large universities attract younger adults. International migration also tends to lower the median age because immigrants are often younger on average.
Definition
Median age is the midpoint of a population’s age distribution. If every resident were lined up from youngest to oldest, the median age would be the age of the person in the middle. The Census Bureau reports median age for both sexes combined and separately for males and females. A rising median age means the population is aging; a falling median age means it is getting younger.
National Comparison
At the national level, the median age has risen steadily. In April 2020 it was 38.6 years; by July 2025 it reached 39.4. The female median age has remained about 2.6 years higher than the male median age, reflecting women’s longer life expectancy. The U.S. median age is higher than the global median but lower than many European and East Asian countries.
| Year (July 1) | Both Sexes | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 38.7 | 37.5 | 39.9 |
| 2021 | 38.9 | 37.7 | 40.1 |
| 2022 | 39.0 | 37.7 | 40.2 |
| 2023 | 39.1 | 37.8 | 40.4 |
| 2024 | 39.2 | 37.9 | 40.5 |
| 2025 | 39.4 | 38.1 | 40.7 |
State Comparison
State median ages range from the low 30s to the mid-40s. In 2024, Maine was the oldest state at 44.8 years, followed by New Hampshire (43.3) and Vermont (43.1). Utah was the youngest at 32.1. The 2025 estimates for selected states show continued aging: Alabama rose to 39.8 and Alaska to 36.7.
- Oldest states, 2024: Maine (44.8), New Hampshire (43.3), Vermont (43.1), West Virginia (42.7), Florida (42.6)
- Youngest states, 2024: Utah (32.1), Alaska (36.4), Texas and other Western states generally below the national average
Ranking Table
The table below shows the ten oldest states by median age in 2024, based on the latest available state-level comparison data. Utah, the youngest state, is shown for contrast.
| Rank | State | Median Age 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 44.8 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 43.3 |
| 3 | Vermont | 43.1 |
| 4 | West Virginia | 42.7 |
| 5 | Florida | 42.6 |
| 6 | Delaware | 41.6 |
| 7 | Connecticut | 41.1 |
| 8 | Hawaii | 40.9 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 40.9 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 40.6 |
| … | Utah (youngest) | 32.1 |
Year-over-Year Change
Between 2024 and 2025, the national median age increased by 0.2 years, from 39.2 to 39.4. Alabama increased from 39.7 to 39.8, and Alaska from 36.4 to 36.7. These annual changes may appear small, but they accumulate. The Census Bureau’s estimates show the national median age has risen in every year since 2020.
| State | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 39.2 | 39.4 | +0.2 |
| Alabama | 39.7 | 39.8 | +0.1 |
| Alaska | 36.4 | 36.7 | +0.3 |
10-Year Change
Although the Vintage 2025 series begins in 2020, longer historical Census data show the U.S. median age has risen from 37.2 in 2010 to 39.4 in 2025, an increase of 2.2 years over 15 years. The aging of the baby-boom generation and lower birth rates are the main drivers. Some states, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, have aged faster than the national average, while states with high in-migration of young adults have aged more slowly.
Factors Behind the Trend
Three main forces shape state median age: fertility, mortality, and migration. States with lower birth rates and higher life expectancy tend to be older. Migration is often the largest short-term factor: retirement destinations such as Florida and Maine gain older residents, while states with large universities or growing tech sectors, such as Utah and Texas, attract younger adults. International migration also tends to lower median age because immigrants are often younger on average.
Why It Matters
Median age affects nearly every area of public policy and private planning. Older states face higher demand for health care, long-term care, and retirement services, while younger states need more schools, child care, and entry-level housing. Businesses use median age to decide where to locate stores, offices, and services. State and local governments use it to forecast tax revenue, pension obligations, and infrastructure needs.
Methodology
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimates are based on the 2020 Census and updated annually using administrative records on births, deaths, and migration. The median age is calculated from single-year-of-age population estimates by sex for each state. The estimates are as of July 1 of each year. The national median age is calculated from the resident population of the 50 states and the District of Columbia; Puerto Rico is reported separately.
Limitations of the Data
Median age estimates are subject to revision as new data become available. Migration, especially international migration, is difficult to measure precisely between censuses. Small states and subgroups can have larger relative errors. The median age also does not capture the full age distribution; two states with the same median age can have very different shares of children and older adults. Finally, the 2024 state-level ranking in this article uses the latest available comparison data, while the 2025 national and selected state figures are from the Vintage 2025 release.
Source & Data Date
Primary source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Vintage 2025 state population estimates by age and sex, released June 2026. The table of 2024 state median ages is from the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2024 estimates as compiled by World Population Review and Statista. Data accessed September 10, 2026.
FAQ
What state has the highest median age?
Based on the latest available state-level comparison data for 2024, Maine has the highest median age at 44.8 years. New Hampshire and Vermont follow at 43.3 and 43.1 years, respectively.
What state has the lowest median age?
Utah has the lowest median age among U.S. states, at 32.1 years in 2024. Its relatively high birth rate and younger population structure keep its median age well below the national average.
How is median age calculated?
The Census Bureau calculates median age from single-year-of-age population estimates. It is the age at which half the population is younger and half is older. The estimate is produced separately for males, females, and both sexes combined.
Why is the U.S. median age rising?
The national median age is rising because of lower birth rates, longer life expectancy, and the aging of the large baby-boom generation. Migration patterns also affect individual states, with retirement destinations aging faster and states attracting young workers aging more slowly.
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