As baby boomers continue to age, the nation’s median age also continues to rise. The median age rose from 35.3 years in 2000 to 37.9 years in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In two-thirds of U.S. counties, the median age increased in 2016 from 2015.

The number of senior citizens across the United States continues to increase, but the increase is not evenly distributed across the country. Some counties tend to be much older or much younger than others. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Census Bureau data to find the oldest and youngest county in each state.

Florida has a reputation as a top retirement destination, so it might not be surprising that the oldest U.S. county is in the Sunshine State. More than half of Florida’s oldest county’s residents are over the age of 65.

The youngest state is Utah, with a median age of 30.3 years, but it does not have the youngest county, which can be found in Georgia. Maine is the oldest state, with a median age of 44 years.

In order to determine the oldest and youngest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed age data from the census bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey for each U.S. county.

Click here to see the oldest and youngest county in each state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Alabama
> Youngest: Lee County
> County seat: Opelika
> Median age: 30.5 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.8%
> Total population: 153,947
> Median household income: $45,056

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Alabama
> Oldest: Cherokee County
> County seat: Centre
> Median age: 45.7 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 20.3%
> Total population: 25,897
> Median household income: $38,925

Alaska
> Youngest: Kusilvak Census Area
> County seat: Hooper Bay
> Median age: 23.3 (county), 33.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 40.2%
> Total population: 7,993
> Median household income: $38,160

Alaska
> Oldest: Wrangell City and Borough
> County seat: Wrangell
> Median age: 48.8 (county), 33.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 19.7%
> Total population: 2,401
> Median household income: $52,986

Arizona
> Youngest: Coconino County
> County seat: Flagstaff
> Median age: 30.7 (county), 37.1 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.8%
> Total population: 138,064
> Median household income: $51,106

Arizona
> Oldest: La Paz County
> County seat: Parker
> Median age: 55.1 (county), 37.1 (state)
> Population 65+: 36.1%
> Total population: 20,304
> Median household income: $36,321

Arkansas
> Youngest: Washington County
> County seat: Fayetteville
> Median age: 31.4 (county), 37.7 (state)
> Population under 18: 25.1%
> Total population: 219,930
> Median household income: $45,442

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Arkansas
> Oldest: Baxter County
> County seat: Mountain Home
> Median age: 51.8 (county), 37.7 (state)
> Population 65+: 30.1%
> Total population: 40,992
> Median household income: $38,115

California
> Youngest: Tulare County
> County seat: Visalia
> Median age: 30.4 (county), 36.0 (state)
> Population under 18: 31.5%
> Total population: 455,769
> Median household income: $42,789

California
> Oldest: Sierra County
> County seat: Downieville
> Median age: 55.2 (county), 36.0 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.1%
> Total population: 2,931
> Median household income: $43,984

Colorado
> Youngest: Alamosa County
> County seat: Alamosa
> Median age: 30.2 (county), 36.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 24.5%
> Total population: 16,353
> Median household income: $32,385

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Colorado
> Oldest: Mineral County
> County seat: Creede
> Median age: 61.2 (county), 36.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 37.6%
> Total population: 793
> Median household income: $49,125

Connecticut
> Youngest: Tolland County
> County seat: Vernon
> Median age: 37.8 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 18.6%
> Total population: 151,689
> Median household income: $80,129

Connecticut
> Oldest: Litchfield County
> County seat: N/A
> Median age: 46.4 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 18.4%
> Total population: 185,141
> Median household income: $73,519

Delaware
> Youngest: Kent County
> County seat: Dover
> Median age: 37.2 (county), 39.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 23.6%
> Total population: 171,474
> Median household income: $55,184

Delaware
> Oldest: Sussex County
> County seat: Georgetown
> Median age: 47.6 (county), 39.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.2%
> Total population: 211,224
> Median household income: $54,218

Florida
> Youngest: Leon County
> County seat: Tallahassee
> Median age: 30.3 (county), 41.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 18.8%
> Total population: 284,788
> Median household income: $48,248

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Florida
> Oldest: Sumter County
> County seat: Bushnell
> Median age: 66.0 (county), 41.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 53.1%
> Total population: 113,589
> Median household income: $52,594

Georgia
> Youngest: Chattahoochee County
> County seat: Cusseta
> Median age: 23.1 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 23.0%
> Total population: 11,882
> Median household income: $43,929

Georgia
> Oldest: Union County
> County seat: Blairsville
> Median age: 53.6 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 31.2%
> Total population: 22,033
> Median household income: $41,686

Hawaii
> Youngest: Honolulu County
> County seat: Honolulu
> Median age: 37.4 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.6%
> Total population: 986,999
> Median household income: $77,161

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Hawaii
> Oldest: Kalawao County
> County seat: Kalaupapa
> Median age: 56.5 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.1%
> Total population: 91
> Median household income: $65,625

Idaho
> Youngest: Madison County
> County seat: Rexburg
> Median age: 23.3 (county), 35.7 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.2%
> Total population: 38,114
> Median household income: $33,856

Idaho
> Oldest: Boise County
> County seat: Idaho City
> Median age: 53.1 (county), 35.7 (state)
> Population 65+: 22.1%
> Total population: 6,891
> Median household income: $44,591

Illinois
> Youngest: Champaign County
> County seat: Urbana
> Median age: 29.5 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.1%
> Total population: 206,420
> Median household income: $48,899

Illinois
> Oldest: Pope County
> County seat: Golconda
> Median age: 50.6 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.2%
> Total population: 4,255
> Median household income: $39,243

Indiana
> Youngest: Tippecanoe County
> County seat: Lafayette
> Median age: 27.9 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.7%
> Total population: 183,397
> Median household income: $47,406

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Indiana
> Oldest: Brown County
> County seat: Nashville
> Median age: 48.3 (county), 37.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 21.0%
> Total population: 14,965
> Median household income: $56,323

Iowa
> Youngest: Story County
> County seat: Nevada
> Median age: 25.8 (county), 38.0 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.2%
> Total population: 94,834
> Median household income: $51,201

Iowa
> Oldest: Dickinson County
> County seat: Spirit Lake
> Median age: 48.8 (county), 38.0 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.0%
> Total population: 17,046
> Median household income: $57,914

Kansas
> Youngest: Riley County
> County seat: Manhattan
> Median age: 24.9 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.7%
> Total population: 75,026
> Median household income: $46,609

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Kansas
> Oldest: Decatur County
> County seat: Oberlin
> Median age: 52.1 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.6%
> Total population: 2,886
> Median household income: $41,362

Kentucky
> Youngest: Christian County
> County seat: Hopkinsville
> Median age: 28.3 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.9%
> Total population: 73,936
> Median household income: $40,253

Kentucky
> Oldest: Lyon County
> County seat: Eddyville
> Median age: 49.0 (county), 38.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.1%
> Total population: 8,325
> Median household income: $47,861

Louisiana
> Youngest: Lincoln Parish
> County seat: Ruston
> Median age: 27.4 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.2%
> Total population: 47,480
> Median household income: $34,527

Louisiana
> Oldest: Pointe Coupee Parish
> County seat: New Roads
> Median age: 42.7 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 18.2%
> Total population: 22,366
> Median household income: $44,275

Maine
> Youngest: Androscoggin County
> County seat: Auburn
> Median age: 40.7 (county), 44.0 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.0%
> Total population: 107,376
> Median household income: $48,728

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Maine
> Oldest: Lincoln County
> County seat: Wiscasset
> Median age: 50.1 (county), 44.0 (state)
> Population 65+: 25.1%
> Total population: 34,165
> Median household income: $53,515

Maryland
> Youngest: Wicomico County
> County seat: Salisbury
> Median age: 35.7 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.0%
> Total population: 101,527
> Median household income: $53,508

Maryland
> Oldest: Talbot County
> County seat: Easton
> Median age: 49.4 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.4%
> Total population: 37,668
> Median household income: $61,395

Massachusetts
> Youngest: Suffolk County
> County seat: Boston
> Median age: 32.4 (county), 39.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.2%
> Total population: 767,719
> Median household income: $57,439

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Massachusetts
> Oldest: Barnstable County
> County seat: Barnstable
> Median age: 51.8 (county), 39.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.8%
> Total population: 214,703
> Median household income: $65,382

Michigan
> Youngest: Isabella County
> County seat: Mount Pleasant
> Median age: 27.0 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.4%
> Total population: 70,574
> Median household income: $40,706

Michigan
> Oldest: Alcona County
> County seat: Harrisville
> Median age: 57.4 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 34.5%
> Total population: 10,461
> Median household income: $38,160

Minnesota
> Youngest: Blue Earth County
> County seat: Mankato
> Median age: 30.5 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.7%
> Total population: 65,524
> Median household income: $52,119

Minnesota
> Oldest: Aitkin County
> County seat: Aitkin
> Median age: 53.6 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 30.0%
> Total population: 15,722
> Median household income: $44,524

Mississippi
> Youngest: Oktibbeha County
> County seat: Starkville
> Median age: 25.2 (county), 36.7 (state)
> Population under 18: 17.6%
> Total population: 49,424
> Median household income: $33,431

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Mississippi
> Oldest: Amite County
> County seat: Liberty
> Median age: 46.1 (county), 36.7 (state)
> Population 65+: 20.9%
> Total population: 12,692
> Median household income: $27,334

Missouri
> Youngest: Pulaski County
> County seat: Waynesville
> Median age: 26.9 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.8%
> Total population: 53,302
> Median household income: $49,216

Missouri
> Oldest: Hickory County
> County seat: Hermitage
> Median age: 54.2 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 32.1%
> Total population: 9,267
> Median household income: $33,113

Montana
> Youngest: Big Horn County
> County seat: Hardin
> Median age: 30.0 (county), 39.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 33.6%
> Total population: 13,214
> Median household income: $44,136

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Montana
> Oldest: Golden Valley County
> County seat: Ryegate
> Median age: 54.6 (county), 39.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.5%
> Total population: 730
> Median household income: $44,000

Nebraska
> Youngest: Thurston County
> County seat: Pender
> Median age: 28.4 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 35.6%
> Total population: 6,989
> Median household income: $42,979

Nebraska
> Oldest: Hooker County
> County seat: Mullen
> Median age: 59.5 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 37.4%
> Total population: 669
> Median household income: $38,616

Nevada
> Youngest: Elko County
> County seat: Elko
> Median age: 33.5 (county), 37.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.9%
> Total population: 52,029
> Median household income: $74,672

Nevada
> Oldest: Storey County
> County seat: Virginia City
> Median age: 54.4 (county), 37.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 28.7%
> Total population: 3,941
> Median household income: $65,508

New Hampshire
> Youngest: Strafford County
> County seat: Dover
> Median age: 37.1 (county), 42.4 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.5%
> Total population: 125,913
> Median household income: $63,533

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New Hampshire
> Oldest: Carroll County
> County seat: Ossipee
> Median age: 50.9 (county), 42.4 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.2%
> Total population: 47,416
> Median household income: $56,289

New Jersey
> Youngest: Hudson County
> County seat: Jersey City
> Median age: 34.7 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.5%
> Total population: 668,526
> Median household income: $60,894

New Jersey
> Oldest: Cape May County
> County seat: Cape May Court House
> Median age: 48.4 (county), 39.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.9%
> Total population: 95,404
> Median household income: $59,338

New Mexico
> Youngest: Roosevelt County
> County seat: Portales
> Median age: 29.7 (county), 37.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 25.1%
> Total population: 19,618
> Median household income: $34,933

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New Mexico
> Oldest: Catron County
> County seat: Reserve
> Median age: 58.1 (county), 37.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 34.3%
> Total population: 3,547
> Median household income: $38,142

New York
> Youngest: Tompkins County
> County seat: Ithaca
> Median age: 30.3 (county), 38.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.3%
> Total population: 104,268
> Median household income: $54,133

New York
> Oldest: Hamilton County
> County seat: Lake Pleasant
> Median age: 53.5 (county), 38.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.7%
> Total population: 4,697
> Median household income: $52,708

North Carolina
> Youngest: Onslow County
> County seat: Jacksonville
> Median age: 26.4 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 25.4%
> Total population: 185,755
> Median household income: $46,786

North Carolina
> Oldest: Polk County
> County seat: Columbus
> Median age: 51.3 (county), 38.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.5%
> Total population: 20,324
> Median household income: $47,396

North Dakota
> Youngest: Sioux County
> County seat: Fort Yates
> Median age: 26.9 (county), 35.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 37.5%
> Total population: 4,431
> Median household income: $39,539

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North Dakota
> Oldest: Grant County
> County seat: Carson
> Median age: 53.6 (county), 35.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 27.1%
> Total population: 2,369
> Median household income: $45,978

Ohio
> Youngest: Athens County
> County seat: Athens
> Median age: 28.2 (county), 39.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.3%
> Total population: 65,103
> Median household income: $34,221

Ohio
> Oldest: Noble County
> County seat: Caldwell
> Median age: 47.9 (county), 39.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 23.5%
> Total population: 14,429
> Median household income: $41,398

Oklahoma
> Youngest: Payne County
> County seat: Stillwater
> Median age: 27.1 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 19.3%
> Total population: 79,953
> Median household income: $38,085

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Oklahoma
> Oldest: McIntosh County
> County seat: Eufaula
> Median age: 47.4 (county), 36.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.7%
> Total population: 20,161
> Median household income: $36,878

Oregon
> Youngest: Benton County
> County seat: Corvallis
> Median age: 32.6 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.9%
> Total population: 87,455
> Median household income: $52,015

Oregon
> Oldest: Wheeler County
> County seat: Fossil
> Median age: 59.2 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population 65+: 35.8%
> Total population: 1,369
> Median household income: $33,400

Pennsylvania
> Youngest: Centre County
> County seat: Bellefonte
> Median age: 30.8 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.3%
> Total population: 159,178
> Median household income: $54,407

Pennsylvania
> Oldest: Sullivan County
> County seat: Laporte
> Median age: 52.4 (county), 40.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 26.9%
> Total population: 6,302
> Median household income: $44,926

Rhode Island
> Youngest: Providence County
> County seat: Providence
> Median age: 37.3 (county), 39.9 (state)
> Population under 18: 21.1%
> Total population: 631,344
> Median household income: $50,637

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Rhode Island
> Oldest: Newport County
> County seat: N/A
> Median age: 44.2 (county), 39.9 (state)
> Population 65+: 19.2%
> Total population: 82,714
> Median household income: $71,347

South Carolina
> Youngest: Richland County
> County seat: Columbia
> Median age: 32.9 (county), 38.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 22.0%
> Total population: 401,743
> Median household income: $50,899

South Carolina
> Oldest: McCormick County
> County seat: McCormick
> Median age: 52.4 (county), 38.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 30.4%
> Total population: 9,806
> Median household income: $41,029

South Dakota
> Youngest: Todd County
> County seat: None
> Median age: 24.3 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 40.3%
> Total population: 10,019
> Median household income: $30,800

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South Dakota
> Oldest: Potter County
> County seat: Gettysburg
> Median age: 53.5 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 28.2%
> Total population: 2,306
> Median household income: $47,991

Tennessee
> Youngest: Montgomery County
> County seat: Clarksville
> Median age: 30.3 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population under 18: 27.1%
> Total population: 189,709
> Median household income: $51,528

Tennessee
> Oldest: Cumberland County
> County seat: Crossville
> Median age: 50.1 (county), 38.5 (state)
> Population 65+: 29.0%
> Total population: 57,895
> Median household income: $40,123

Texas
> Youngest: Brazos County
> County seat: Bryan
> Median age: 25.5 (county), 34.2 (state)
> Population under 18: 20.6%
> Total population: 209,896
> Median household income: $41,654

Texas
> Oldest: Loving County
> County seat: Mentone
> Median age: 58.2 (county), 34.2 (state)
> Population 65+: 25.0%
> Total population: 76
> Median household income: $56,875

Utah
> Youngest: Utah County
> County seat: Provo
> Median age: 24.4 (county), 30.3 (state)
> Population under 18: 34.7%
> Total population: 564,177
> Median household income: $64,321

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Utah
> Oldest: Daggett County
> County seat: Manila
> Median age: 48.7 (county), 30.3 (state)
> Population 65+: 20.2%
> Total population: 751
> Median household income: $75,938

Vermont
> Youngest: Chittenden County
> County seat: Burlington
> Median age: 36.4 (county), 42.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 18.7%
> Total population: 160,510
> Median household income: $66,414

Vermont
> Oldest: Essex County
> County seat: Guildhall
> Median age: 49.2 (county), 42.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 22.8%
> Total population: 6,173
> Median household income: $39,467

Virginia
> Youngest: Montgomery County
> County seat: Christianburg
> Median age: 27.9 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.0%
> Total population: 97,227
> Median household income: $49,712

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Virginia
> Oldest: Highland County
> County seat: Monterey
> Median age: 59.8 (county), 37.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 36.1%
> Total population: 2,230
> Median household income: $44,877

Washington
> Youngest: Whitman County
> County seat: Colfax
> Median age: 24.2 (county), 37.6 (state)
> Population under 18: 15.1%
> Total population: 47,494
> Median household income: $38,636

Washington
> Oldest: Jefferson County
> County seat: Port Townsend
> Median age: 56.2 (county), 37.6 (state)
> Population 65+: 31.6%
> Total population: 30,333
> Median household income: $50,928

West Virginia
> Youngest: Monongalia County
> County seat: Morgantown
> Median age: 30.6 (county), 41.9 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.1%
> Total population: 102,827
> Median household income: $47,060

West Virginia
> Oldest: Pendleton County
> County seat: Franklin
> Median age: 49.6 (county), 41.9 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.8%
> Total population: 7,291
> Median household income: $37,035

Wisconsin
> Youngest: Menominee County
> County seat: Keshena
> Median age: 30.8 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population under 18: 32.9%
> Total population: 4,457
> Median household income: $37,147

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Wisconsin
> Oldest: Iron County
> County seat: Hurley
> Median age: 53.2 (county), 39.1 (state)
> Population 65+: 28.5%
> Total population: 5,850
> Median household income: $41,270

Wyoming
> Youngest: Albany County
> County seat: Laramie
> Median age: 26.6 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population under 18: 16.6%
> Total population: 37,836
> Median household income: $43,043

Wyoming
> Oldest: Hot Springs County
> County seat: Thermopolis
> Median age: 51.4 (county), 36.8 (state)
> Population 65+: 24.6%
> Total population: 4,781
> Median household income: $46,087

Detailed Findings

The oldest counties in each state tend to have much smaller populations than the youngest counties by a wide margin. There are only four states — Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, and Georgia — in which the oldest county is more populous than the youngest. In fact, the oldest counties in Hawaii and Texas have fewer than 100 people.

As people age, they generally need more health care, but since older counties are also less populous, providing proper health care can pose some difficulties. Places with low population density often struggle to get access to medical care, according to the Rural Health Information Hub. People with chronic ailments may be unable to drive themselves to doctors appointments, and with little or no public transit system, many seniors in less populated places may not be able to get to a physician as frequently as they need.

The population disparity between old and young counties likely stems from the tendency of young adults to move more than any other population group. When young people migrate they tend to prefer areas with higher populations. NPR reported millennials may be moving to large urban and suburban areas more than any previous generation.

Utah County, the youngest in Utah, has a population of 564,177. The state’s oldest county, Daggett, has just 751 people. California’s youngest county, Tulare County, has 455,769 residents; its oldest county, Sierra, has only 2,931 residents.

One possible explanation for the clustering of young people in certain counties is the presence of colleges. Several states have large public universities drawing tens of thousands of young people to them year after year.

Texas A&M University, located in Brazos County, Texas, has an enrollment of more than 68,000 students. Those students make up a large chunk of the county’s 209,896 residents. In many other states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, the youngest counties are home to colleges that help draw young people.

Methodology

In order to determine the oldest and youngest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the median age of each U.S. county from the 2016 American Community Survey. Data on the share of residents 65 and older, the share of residents under 18, total population, and median household income also came from the ACS. Alaska and Louisiana do not refer to their geographic areas as counties. Alaska refers to them as boroughs or census areas and Louisiana refers to them as parishes.

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