Nation Continues to Age as It Becomes More Diverse
SOURCE: Census Bureau, June 30, 2022, Release Number CB22-112
JUNE 30, 2022 – The last two decades have seen the country grow continuously older. Since 2000, the national median age – the point at which one-half the population is older and one-half younger – has increased by 3.4 years, with the largest single-year gain of 0.3 years coming in 2021, bringing it to 38.8 years, according to newly released 2021 Population Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Median age for most states also increased from 2020 to 2021, indicating their populations are getting older overall.
Only one state’s population – Maine – became slightly younger, as its median age decreased from 44.8 in 2020 to 44.7 in 2021.
An Aging Nation – Change in Median Age by County: July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021
The median age in over one-half (57%) of all U.S. counties and equivalents increased, and 74% of counties had higher median ages than the nation. Six counties had median ages greater than or equal to 60 years, which included two countries in Florida: Sumter County (68.3) and Charlotte County (60.2).
Metropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more whole counties or county equivalents and at least one urban area with a population of 50,000 or more. The median age increased in about 76% of metro areas (290) between 2020 and 2021. Provo-Orem, UT, was the metro with the lowest median age in 2021. Conversely, The Villages, FL, had the highest median age – 68.3 years.
Regionally, the Northeast was the oldest in 2021 with a median age of 40.4, followed by the Midwest (39.0), the South (38.6) and the West – which experienced the largest increase, 0.3 years to 37.7.
A More Diverse Nation
Note: References to race and Hispanic origin compositions are for race-alone-or-in-combination groups or Hispanic populations of any race unless otherwise specified.
While aging, the nation is also becoming more diverse. Nationally, all race and Hispanic origin groups experienced population increases, apart from the White population, which declined slightly by 0.03%. The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population was the fastest-growing race or Hispanic origin category between 2020 and 2021, increasing by 1.54% in the 12-month period. Hispanic (of any race) was the largest gaining and second-fastest-growing race or Hispanic origin category, increasing by 767,907 or 1.24%.
Other highlights for each race and Hispanic origin category and Puerto Rico:
White: The White population in the United States was 260,183,037 in 2021, a decrease of 0.03% or 79,836 people since 2020.
California had the largest White population, totaling 29,365,260 – followed by Texas with a White population of 23,593,392. Texas also had the largest-gaining White population, which grew by 184,747 in 2021.
Black or African American: The Black population in the United States in 2021 totaled 49,586,352, up 0.7% from July 2020. The Black population in 2021 comprised 14.9% of the nation.
Texas had the largest Black population in 2021, totaling 4,190,554 – an increase of 83,478 (2.0%) since July 2020. Idaho had the fastest-growing Black population, expanding 5.7% between 2020 and 2021.
Asian: The Asian population in the United States was 23,962,215 in 2021, up 281,167 or 1.2% from 2020.
California had the largest Asian population (7,139,394), followed by New York (2,032,935) and Texas (1,842,911), respectively. Idaho, with an increase of 5.4%, had the fastest-growing Asian population in 2021.
American Indian or Alaska Native: The American Indian and Alaska Native population reached 7,206,898 between July 2020 and July 2021, an increase of 74,291 or 1.0%. California had the largest American Indian and Alaska Native population at 1,121,423, followed by Oklahoma at 574,171. Idaho had the fastest-growing American Indian and Alaska Native population in the nation, with a 3.3%, increase, while Texas was the largest gaining among this population that increased by 11,328 to 510,537.
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population rose to 1,709,860, an increase of 1.5% or 25,989 individuals in 2021.
Hawaii had the largest Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population with 399,045, followed by California (375,388) and Washington (105,305). Iowa had the fastest-growing Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population that increased 11.1% from 2020 to 2021 – while Texas was the largest gaining, increasing by 2,652.
Hispanic Origin (Any Race): The Hispanic population grew by 767,907, in 2021, an increase of 1.2%.
California (15,754,605), Texas (11,857,401) and Florida (5,830,908) were the states with the largest Hispanic populations in 2021. New York (-1.1%) and the District of Columbia (-2.5%) were the only state and equivalent that experienced drops in their Hispanic populations in 2021. Maine (5.4%) and Montana (5.4%) were the states with the fastest-growing Hispanic populations.
Puerto Rico Municipios: The median age in Puerto Rico increased from 43.8 to 44.2, and the median age increased in all municipios between 2020 and 2021.
Hormigueros and Rincón were the oldest municipios; both had a median age of 49.6 in 2021.
With a median age of 40.0, Barranquitas was Puerto Rico’s youngest municipio.
In 2021, 52.7% of Puerto Rico’s population was female.
Vieques was the only majority male (50.4%) municipio.
The race data in these estimates may not be consistent with 2020 Census data. The race categories from each census are reconciled with those race categories that appear in the data from administrative records, which are used to produce population estimates. Due to this, race detail found in the estimates may not match what is found in the decennial census. Additionally, due to methodological changes, the estimates are developed from a base population that combines estimates from Vintage 2020 and 2020 Demographic Analysis with total population from the 2020 Census; no race or Hispanic origin data from the 2020 Census were used in the development of the Vintage 2021 estimates series. For more information, please see the Population Estimates Methodology Statement.
Unless otherwise specified, the statistics refer to the population that reported a race-alone-or-in-combination with one or more races. Censuses and surveys permit respondents to select more than one race; consequently, people may be one race or a combination of races. The detailed tables show statistics for the population by “race alone” and “race-alone-or-in-combination.” The sum of the populations for the five race-alone-or-in-combination groups adds to more than the total population because individuals may report more than one race. The federal government treats Hispanic origin and race as separate and distinct concepts. In surveys and censuses, separate questions are asked on Hispanic origin and race. The question on Hispanic origin asks respondents if they are of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin.
In December, the Census Bureau will release 2022 Population Estimates by components of change and the population ages 18 and over for the nation, states and Puerto Rico. The full release schedule for 2022 is available online. With each new release of annual estimates, the entire time series of estimates is revised for all years back to the date of the last census. All previously published estimates (e.g., old vintages) are superseded and archived on the FTP2 site.
