Thursday, June 22, 2023 (Healthday News) — The median age of Americans in 2022 will hit a record high of nearly 39, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 2000, the median age was 35; in 1980 it was 30. This means that half of Americans are older and half are younger. These findings add to the evidence that, like many European and Asian countries, the United States is aging, shrinking its workforce, and emphasizing economic and social programs.
Declining fertility rates are the main reason for the rising median age.
“Simple arithmetic” Andrew Beveridgesaid the president of demographic data company Social Explorer. new york times. “The number of children being born is decreasing.”
The trend is also affecting countries with better social systems than the United States, such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, which subsidize childcare.
The oldest state is Maine, with an average age of 44.8, and New Hampshire (43.3) is not far behind. Utah (31.9 years old), the District of Columbia (34.8 years old), and Texas (35.5 years old) have the youngest, according to the Census Bureau.
The oldest county with over 100,000 people was Sumter County, Florida, popular with retirees. Average age: 68.1 years old.
The youngest large county was Utah County, where Provo is located, with an average age of 26. Utah has one of the highest birth rates in the nation. times I got it.
Countries are also diversifying. From 2021 to 2022, the Asian and Hispanic populations will each grow by about 2%. The black population decreased by 0.9%. And the white population decreased by 0.1%.
The Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander population increased by 2%, and the Native American population increased by 1%.
Among the large counties, Kauffman County, Texas has the fastest growing black population in the nation, with more than 6,000 residents growing 21% between 2021 and 2022. The county’s median age last year was 33.9. times report.
For more information
The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics has the following state-by-state data: birthrate.
sauce: new york timesJune 22, 2023
