The U.S. population is older now than it has been since record keeping began. The median age in the United States is 38.2 years, up from 36.9 years a decade ago, and from less than 30 in the 1970s.
This trend is the result of several factors – both long and short term. For one, Americans are now living longer than they have in past decades. Driven in part by improvements in health care, average life expectancy at birth in the U.S. is now about 77 years, five years longer than it was in the mid-1970s. More recently, falling birth rates and tightened restrictions on immigration – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – have accelerated the aging of the U.S. population.
As the country as a whole is skewing older, there are places that stand out for having especially young populations. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 U.S. ZIP codes with the youngest populations. Among the places on this list, the median age of the population ranges from 19.4 years down to just 17.8.
The places on this list span the country, though Texas is home to four, the most of any state.
The vast majority of the ZIP codes on this list include a portion, if not the entirety, of a college or university campus. In fact, in all but five of the 50 youngest U.S. ZIP codes, over 95% of the population are enrolled in college.
These ZIP codes are located in college towns across the country, including Ann Arbor, Michigan; Athens, Georgia; Berkeley, California; Gainesville, Florida; and State College, Pennsylvania. (Here is a look at the 30 best college towns in America.)
Click here to see ZIP codes with the lowest median ages.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
50. 43210
> Location: Columbus, Ohio
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 97.6% — 96th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 34.2% — 672nd highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 12,506 — 8,574th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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49. 19383
> Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 34.3% — 660th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,222 — 5,760th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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48. 23173
> Location: Richmond, Virginia
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 97.3% — 97th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 34.5% — 623rd highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 2.0% — 195th lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 2,295 — 3,874th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
47. 36849
> Location: Auburn, Alabama
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 34.6% — 604th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 4,228 — 7,255th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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46. 47406
> Location: Bloomington, Indiana
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 34.7% — 580th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,404 — 6,056th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
45. 66506
> Location: Manhattan, Kansas
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 35.0% — 521st highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,521 — 6,268th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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44. 19716
> Location: Newark, Delaware
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 35.1% — 510th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,426 — 1,430th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
43. 47809
> Location: Terre Haute, Indiana
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 35.2% — 484th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,325 — 3,953rd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
42. 71272
> Location: Ruston, Louisiana
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 36.9% — 316th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,272 — 928th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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41. 80310
> Location: Boulder, Colorado
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 99.5% — 78th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 37.6% — 269th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 7,296 — 10,089th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
40. 30602
> Location: Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 38.5% — 226th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,127 — 5,577th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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39. 14261
> Location: University at Buffalo, New York
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 99.6% — 77th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 38.7% — 219th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 5,557 — 8,707th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
24/7 Wall St.
38. 14627
> Location: Rochester, New York
> Median age (years): 19.4
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 39.0% — 214th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,280 — 3,843rd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
37. 29634
> Location: Clemson, South Carolina
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 99.1% — 86th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 36.5% — 366th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 5,329 — 8,462nd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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36. 68849
> Location: Kearney, Nebraska
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 36.8% — 330th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,187 — 650th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
35. 76129
> Location: Fort Worth, Texas
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 37.4% — 281st highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,616 — 2,034th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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34. 38677
> Location: University, Mississippi
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 99.6% — 71st highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 38.4% — 228th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,799 — 6,670th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
33. 47405
> Location: Bloomington, Indiana
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 99.7% — 67th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 38.6% — 221st highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 5,731 — 8,855th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
32. 16802
> Location: State College, Pennsylvania
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 99.9% — 57th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 40.4% — 171st highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 11,473 — 9,001st highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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31. 37132
> Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 40.6% — 165th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,414 — 4,162nd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
30. 29733
> Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 99.0% — 87th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 41.0% — 159th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,713 — 2,327th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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29. 21252
> Location: Towson, Maryland
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 41.3% — 150th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,040 — 3,240th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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28. 33620
> Location: Tampa, Florida
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 99.8% — 62nd highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 41.4% — 144th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 5,286 — 8,408th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
27. 22904
> Location: University of Virginia, Virginia
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 98.2% — 93rd highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 42.0% — 130th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 5,634 — 8,773rd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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26. 94720
> Location: Berkeley, California
> Median age (years): 19.3
> Population enrolled in college: 98.5% — 92nd highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 43.1% — 115th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.3% — 142nd lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 2,829 — 5,017th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
25. 90089
> Location: Los Angeles, California
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 99.6% — 74th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 41.0% — 158th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,740 — 6,583rd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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24. 72035
> Location: Conway, Arkansas
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 41.4% — 146th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,696 — 2,277th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
23. 48825
> Location: East Lansing, Michigan
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 41.6% — 137th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 12,233 — 8,687th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
22. 58202
> Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 41.7% — 135th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,598 — 1,968th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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21. 04469
> Location: Orono, Maine
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 99.4% — 80th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 42.6% — 123rd highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,510 — 4,369th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
20. 79406
> Location: Lubbock, Texas
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 42.9% — 119th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 7,288 — 10,084th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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19. 32612
> Location: Gainesville, Florida
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 99.9% — 58th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 42.9% — 118th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 6,517 — 9,546th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
24/7 Wall St.
18. 50011
> Location: Ames, Iowa
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 43.2% — 113th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,299 — 1,033rd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
17. 86011
> Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
> Median age (years): 19.2
> Population enrolled in college: 99.6% — 76th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 43.2% — 112th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 10,836 — 9,278th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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16. 76798
> Location: Waco, Texas
> Median age (years): 19.1
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 45.8% — 91st highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,630 — 2,082nd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
15. 58105
> Location: Fargo, North Dakota
> Median age (years): 19.1
> Population enrolled in college: 96.3% — 99th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 46.0% — 88th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,242 — 3,741st lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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14. 83844
> Location: Moscow, Idaho
> Median age (years): 19.1
> Population enrolled in college: 99.6% — 72nd highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 46.2% — 85th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,340 — 1,170th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
13. 19717
> Location: Newark, Delaware
> Median age (years): 19.1
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 47.8% — 76th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,649 — 6,452nd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
12. 22807
> Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
> Median age (years): 19.0
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 50.1% — 66th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 3,345 — 5,968th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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11. 97331
> Location: Corvallis, Oregon
> Median age (years): 19.0
> Population enrolled in college: 99.7% — 66th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 51.5% — 58th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,868 — 5,097th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
10. 20742
> Location: College Park, Maryland
> Median age (years): 19.0
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 51.5% — 56th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 6,511 — 9,542nd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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9. 53706
> Location: Madison, Wisconsin
> Median age (years): 19.0
> Population enrolled in college: 99.6% — 75th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 52.2% — 51st highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 6,226 — 9,308th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
8. 48109
> Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
> Median age (years): 19.0
> Population enrolled in college: 97.9% — 94th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 53.1% — 48th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.2% — 138th lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 5,025 — 8,164th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
7. 84005
> Location: Eagle Mountain, Utah
> Median age (years): 18.9
> Population enrolled in college: 4.8% — 9,595th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 50.3% — 64th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 2.0% — 196th lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 34,422 — 2,736th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
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6. 78576
> Location: Penitas, Texas
> Median age (years): 18.9
> Population enrolled in college: 3.2% — 5,929th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 50.6% — 63rd highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 4.7% — 282nd lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 10,262 — 9,555th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
5. 30609
> Location: Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
> Median age (years): 18.9
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 54.5% — 38th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 2,394 — 4,123rd lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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4. 29225
> Location: Columbia, South Carolina
> Median age (years): 18.8
> Population enrolled in college: 100.0% — the highest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
> Population 18 and younger: 59.3% — 13th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes (tied)
> Total population: 1,348 — 1,200th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
3. 08701
> Location: Lakewood, New Jersey
> Median age (years): 18.5
> Population enrolled in college: 8.1% — 2,495th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 51.0% — 62nd highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 9.4% — 1,406th lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 104,186 — 13th highest of 21,307 ZIP codes
2. 58335
> Location: Fort Totten, North Dakota
> Median age (years): 17.8
> Population enrolled in college: 3.4% — 6,747th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 51.7% — 55th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 4.2% — 258th lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 1,818 — 2,656th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes (tied)
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1. 86021
> Location: Colorado City, Arizona
> Median age (years): 17.8
> Population enrolled in college: 3.6% — 7,417th lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
> Population 18 and younger: 52.2% — 50th highest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Population 65 and older: 3.1% — 225th lowest of 21,285 ZIP codes
> Total population: 5,959 — 9,081st lowest of 21,307 ZIP codes
Methodology
To determine the ZIP codes with the lowest median ages, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median age from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
We used ZIP Code Tabulation Areas — a census geography type which defines areal representations of United States Postal Service ZIP codes (USPS ZIP codes do not define geographic boundaries but instead are a network of mail delivery routes in a service area). We refer to census ZCTAs as ZIP codes.
ZIP codes were excluded if median age was not available in the 2020 ACS or if the sampling error associated with a ZIP code’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a ZIP code’s median age was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all ZIP codes’ median ages. We similarly excluded ZIP codes that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
ZIP codes were ranked based on median age. To break ties, we used the share of the population that is 18 and under.
Additional information on the share of the population that is currently enrolled in college, the share of the population that is 18 and younger, the share of the population that is 65 and older, and total population are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS.
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