US population growing older

Editor's Note

The median age of the US population rose to nearly 39 years old in 2020, and the number of those aged 65 and older jumped nearly 33% between 2010 and 2020, according to US Census Bureau data.

America’s two largest age groups spurred the changes—more baby boomers turning age 65 or older and millennials who became adults.

At the same time, the birth rate and percentage of children under age five declined, and the number of people over age 100 increased by half, from more than 53,000 to more than 80,000 people.

An aging population poses social, economic, and healthcare consequences, including the ability of working-aged adults to support older people through Social Security and Medicare contributions and the number of healthcare workers needed to care for them.