Half of These States Are Under 35: America's Youth vs Senior States
In Utah, half the population is under 32.4 years old. In Maine, half is over 44.8. That's not just an age gap—it's two completely different Americas. Young states are building schools. Old states are building nursing homes. The divide is accelerating.
The Stunning Age Divide
5 Youngest States (Median Age)
- Utah32.4
- DC34.4
- Alaska35.6
- Texas35.5
- North Dakota35.8
5 Oldest States (Median Age)
- Maine44.8
- Vermont43.2
- New Hampshire43.0
- Florida43.0
- West Virginia42.8
Gap: 12.4 years — larger than elementary to college
The Visual Shock: Young vs Old America
These aren't subtle differences. Look at Utah's pyramid—a classic triangle with massive youth at the bottom. Now look at Maine—inverted, top-heavy, with more seniors than children. These states exist in different demographic universes.
Utah: America's Youngest
Maine: America's Oldest
What You're Seeing:
Utah (Young State):
- • 52.1% under age 35
- • Only 11.4% over 65
- • 4.6 children per senior
Maine (Old State):
- • Only 38.7% under 35
- • 22.7% over 65
- • 0.8 children per senior
All 50 States + DC: Young to Old
America isn't aging uniformly. Some states stay perpetually young through immigration and high birth rates. Others age rapidly as youth flee and seniors accumulate.
| Rank | State | Median Age | % Under 35 | % Over 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | 32.4 | 52.1% | 11.4% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 34.4 | 51.8% | 12.4% |
| 3 | Alaska | 35.6 | 50.7% | 13.6% |
| 4 | Texas | 35.5 | 50.6% | 13.1% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 35.8 | 50.2% | 15.8% |
| 6 | Georgia | 37.5 | 48.9% | 14.7% |
| 7 | Idaho | 37.2 | 48.7% | 16.2% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 37.1 | 48.5% | 16.1% |
| 9 | California | 37.8 | 48.3% | 15.2% |
| 10 | Kansas | 37.5 | 48.2% | 16.4% |
| ... | 31 States in Middle | 38-42 | 40-48% | 16-20% |
| 42 | Delaware | 41.7 | 42.3% | 19.5% |
| 43 | Connecticut | 41.8 | 42.1% | 18.0% |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | 41.9 | 41.9% | 19.0% |
| 45 | Montana | 42 | 41.7% | 19.8% |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 42.4 | 41.2% | 17.7% |
| 47 | West Virginia | 42.8 | 40.8% | 21.2% |
| 48 | Florida | 43 | 40.5% | 21.3% |
| 49 | New Hampshire | 43 | 40.3% | 19.3% |
| 50 | Vermont | 43.2 | 40.1% | 20.6% |
| 51 | Maine | 44.8 | 38.7% | 22.7% |
Young States
Over 50% under 35
Middle States
40-50% under 35
Old States
Under 40% under 35
The Extremes: 5 Youngest vs 5 Oldest
These 10 states represent America's demographic extremes. The youngest 5 are building for the future. The oldest 5 are managing decline. Look at the dramatic pyramid differences.
The 5 Youngest States
Utah
DC
Alaska
Texas
North Dakota
The 5 Oldest States
Maine
Vermont
New Hampshire
Florida
West Virginia
Two Americas: What The Age Divide Means
Young States Reality
- 🏫Schools: Building 3-5 new schools annually, teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms
- 🏘️Housing: Starter home shortage, family housing boom, playgrounds everywhere
- 💼Economy: Growing workforce, startup culture, consumer spending surge
- 🏥Healthcare: Maternity wards expanding, pediatricians in demand
- 📈Future: 30+ years of workforce growth ahead
Old States Reality
- 🏚️Schools: Closing 2-3 schools annually, consolidating districts, empty playgrounds
- 🏛️Housing: Senior living boom, nursing homes expanding, family homes empty
- 📉Economy: Shrinking workforce, fixed incomes dominate, businesses closing
- ⚕️Healthcare: Geriatric care crisis, Medicare overwhelming budgets
- ⚠️Future: Accelerating decline, tax base collapse approaching
The Feedback Loop:
Young people move to young states (jobs, culture, opportunity). Old people move to old states (retirement, healthcare, peace). This self-segregation by age is creating two completely different Americas that barely understand each other.
The Economic Chasm
GDP Growth Rate (2020-2024 Average)
Young States (Median < 38)
- Utah+4.2% annually
- Texas+3.8% annually
- Idaho+3.6% annually
- Average+3.5%
Old States (Median > 42)
- Maine+0.8% annually
- Vermont+0.6% annually
- West Virginia-0.2% annually
- Average+0.7%
Young states growing 5x faster economically
The Dependency Disaster
Young States
68 dependents per 100 workers
But mostly children who will become workers
Old States
74 dependents per 100 workers
But mostly retirees who need expensive care
The Political Split
Age drives politics. Young states and old states vote differently, prioritize differently, and see America's future differently.
Young State Priorities
- • Education funding (K-12)
- • Job creation programs
- • Family tax credits
- • Infrastructure for growth
- • Tech and innovation
- • Childcare support
Old State Priorities
- • Medicare/Social Security
- • Property tax freezes
- • Healthcare access
- • Infrastructure maintenance
- • Prescription drug costs
- • Senior services
The Conflict:
Young states want investment in the future (schools, infrastructure, innovation). Old states want protection of the present (pensions, healthcare, stability). This isn't just politics—it's a fundamental conflict over resource allocation between America's demographic winners and losers.
2050: The Age Chasm Becomes Permanent
Current trends aren't slowing—they're accelerating. By 2050:
Young States in 2050
- • Utah median age: Still under 35
- • Texas: 55 million people, median 37
- • 60% of US children in 10 states
- • Economic powerhouses
- • Immigration magnets
Old States in 2050
- • Maine median age: Over 50
- • Vermont: 40% over 65
- • School systems collapsed
- • Economic stagnation permanent
- • Healthcare systems overwhelmed
The Two Americas
By 2050, we won't have one America—we'll have two. Young America will look like Utah today: dynamic, growing, building. Old America will look like rural Japan: emptying, aging, managing decline.
The 12.4-year age gap between Utah and Maine today becomes a 20-year gap by 2050. These won't just be different states—they'll be different civilizations.
The Uncomfortable Truth
America isn't aging—it's splitting. Half our states are getting younger. Half are getting older. There's almost nothing in between.
In Utah, DC, Alaska, Texas, and North Dakota, over 50% of people are under 35. These states are building schools, creating jobs, and planning for growth.
In Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Florida, and West Virginia, the future is already here—and it's old. These states are closing schools, losing workers, and managing decline.
Your state's median age isn't just a statistic—it's destiny. Young states will dominate America's future. Old states will struggle to maintain the present. The age divide is becoming the most important divide in America.
Explore Your State's Age Profile
Utah Demographics
Explore America's youngest state with a median age of just 32.4 years and understand what drives perpetual youth.
Maine Population Analysis
See why Maine became America's oldest state with a median age of 44.8 and what this means for its future.
Texas Age Distribution
Discover how Texas maintains a young median age despite its massive size through immigration and high birth rates.
Florida's Age Paradox
Understand how Florida balances massive retiree immigration with young immigrant families to create unique demographics.
Is Your State Young or Old?
Find out where your state ranks in America's age divide. Explore detailed demographics, population pyramids, and future projections for all 50 states plus DC.
Check Your State's Age Profile