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. cities – defined as places with at least 25,000 residents – with the youngest populations.
Among the places on this list, the median age of the population ranges from about 26 years to just 14. The cities on this list span the country, though Utah is home to eight, the most of any state.
Most of these cities are college towns, home to universities or colleges. These places include Blacksburg, Virginia; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Ithaca, New York; and State College, Pennsylvania. In 30 of the cities on this list, over one-third of the population are enrolled in college, compared to less than 7% of the U.S. population.
Some other places on this list – including Jacksonville, North Carolina and Twentynine Palms, California – are home to military installations. Because Americans must be between the ages of 17 and 35 to enlist, military bases tend to have relatively young populations. (Here is a look at the states where the most Americans serve in the military.)
Several of these cities are also home to a relatively large number of families raising children. In over half a dozen cities on this list, more than 50% of households include children under age 18. These places include Eagle Mountain, Utah, a master-planned, family oriented community outside of Provo and nearby Saratoga Springs, Utah. (Here is a look at the best and worst states to raise a family.)
Click here to see 50 U.S. cities with the youngest populations.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
50. Spanish Fork, Utah
> Median age (years): 26.4
> Population enrolled in college: 6.3% — 848th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 40.4% — 7th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.1% — 72nd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 40,069 — 719th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
49. Iowa City, Iowa
> Median age (years): 26.3
> Population enrolled in college: 34.4% — 29th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 18.1% — 106th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 11.0% — 369th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 75,849 — 491st highest of 1,789 cities
48. Davis, California
> Median age (years): 26.2
> Population enrolled in college: 35.9% — 24th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 17.2% — 67th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 12.5% — 585th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 68,640 — 559th highest of 1,789 cities
47. Richmond, Kentucky
> Median age (years): 26.2
> Population enrolled in college: 23.2% — 68th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 23.7% — 752nd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 10.1% — 237th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 35,744 — 569th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Laramie, Wyoming
> Median age (years): 26.1
> Population enrolled in college: 34.3% — 30th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 17.8% — 91st lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.3% — 151st lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 32,515 — 433rd lowest of 1,789 cities
45. Cedar City, Utah
> Median age (years): 26.1
> Population enrolled in college: 15.6% — 122nd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 32.0% — 86th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 10.7% — 310th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 33,404 — 467th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
44. Springville, Utah
> Median age (years): 26.0
> Population enrolled in college: 6.7% — 781st highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 38.2% — 11th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.8% — 114th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 33,251 — 462nd lowest of 1,789 cities
24/7 Wall St.
43. Lehi, Utah
> Median age (years): 26.0
> Population enrolled in college: 5.0% — 362nd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 41.6% — 5th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 5.6% — 10th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 66,980 — 578th highest of 1,789 cities
42. Harrisonburg, Virginia
> Median age (years): 25.8
> Population enrolled in college: 30.6% — 40th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 23.4% — 686th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.8% — 112th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 53,558 — 787th highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
41. Moscow, Idaho
> Median age (years): 25.2
> Population enrolled in college: 35.4% — 26th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 20.1% — 239th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.9% — 209th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 25,652 — 51st lowest of 1,789 cities
40. Normal, Illinois
> Median age (years): 25.2
> Population enrolled in college: 32.1% — 36th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 21.4% — 393rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 10.4% — 279th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 54,699 — 761st highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
39. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
> Median age (years): 25.2
> Population enrolled in college: 34.9% — 27th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 21.5% — 402nd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 10.8% — 337th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 61,912 — 652nd highest of 1,789 cities
24/7 Wall St.
38. Auburn, Alabama
> Median age (years): 25.2
> Population enrolled in college: 33.2% — 34th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 22.4% — 529th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.3% — 89th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 65,508 — 599th highest of 1,789 cities
37. San Marcos, Texas
> Median age (years): 25.1
> Population enrolled in college: 34.0% — 32nd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 16.9% — 55th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.3% — 150th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 64,053 — 626th highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
36. DeKalb, Illinois
> Median age (years): 25.1
> Population enrolled in college: 29.4% — 41st highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 21.2% — 357th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.4% — 90th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 42,961 — 805th lowest of 1,789 cities
35. Carbondale, Illinois
> Median age (years): 25.0
> Population enrolled in college: 40.0% — 19th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 17.1% — 63rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.8% — 197th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 25,400 — 38th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
34. Urbana, Illinois
> Median age (years): 25.0
> Population enrolled in college: 40.6% — 17th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 18.1% — 103rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.9% — 210th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 42,461 — 788th lowest of 1,789 cities
33. Flagstaff, Arizona
> Median age (years): 24.9
> Population enrolled in college: 31.4% — 38th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 25.8% — 682nd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.7% — 103rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 73,319 — 519th highest of 1,789 cities
32. Newark, Delaware
> Median age (years): 24.7
> Population enrolled in college: 40.8% — 16th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 19.4% — 189th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 13.3% — 726th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 33,822 — 491st lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
31. Manhattan, Kansas
> Median age (years): 24.6
> Population enrolled in college: 34.1% — 31st highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 19.8% — 215th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.6% — 96th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 55,045 — 752nd highest of 1,789 cities
30. Nacogdoches, Texas
> Median age (years): 24.4
> Population enrolled in college: 28.4% — 44th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 24.7% — 854th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 11.0% — 364th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 32,912 — 449th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
29. Morgantown, West Virginia
> Median age (years): 24.2
> Population enrolled in college: 41.4% — 13th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 17.8% — 89th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.4% — 160th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 30,953 — 363rd lowest of 1,789 cities
24/7 Wall St.28. Kent, Ohio
> Median age (years): 24.1
> Population enrolled in college: 35.5% — 25th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 21.1% — 350th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 10.7% — 323rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 29,698 — 300th lowest of 1,789 cities
27. North Chicago, Illinois
> Median age (years): 24.1
> Population enrolled in college: 10.5% — 216th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 27.2% — 461st highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.6% — 179th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 29,967 — 313th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
26. Bloomington, Indiana
> Median age (years): 24.0
> Population enrolled in college: 41.8% — 12th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 17.8% — 90th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.6% — 186th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 84,691 — 415th highest of 1,789 cities
25. Stillwater, Oklahoma
> Median age (years): 24.0
> Population enrolled in college: 39.4% — 20th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 18.5% — 119th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 9.9% — 211th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 50,183 — 836th highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
24. Twentynine Palms, California
> Median age (years): 24.0
> Population enrolled in college: 7.3% — 626th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 38.4% — 10th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 7.8% — 60th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 26,748 — 126th lowest of 1,789 cities
23. Logan, Utah
> Median age (years): 23.8
> Population enrolled in college: 27.4% — 46th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 27.0% — 494th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 6.7% — 27th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 51,266 — 815th highest of 1,789 cities (tied)
22. Provo, Utah
> Median age (years): 23.7
> Population enrolled in college: 36.2% — 23rd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 23.4% — 687th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 6.2% — 18th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 116,886 — 252nd highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Ames, Iowa
> Median age (years): 23.5
> Population enrolled in college: 43.4% — 10th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 15.8% — 29th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 10.0% — 229th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 66,361 — 593rd highest of 1,789 cities
20. New Brunswick, New Jersey
> Median age (years): 23.5
> Population enrolled in college: 27.1% — 48th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 25.9% — 662nd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 6.1% — 16th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 55,992 — 734th highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
19. Jacksonville, North Carolina
> Median age (years): 23.2
> Population enrolled in college: 8.7% — 349th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 34.8% — 33rd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 10.2% — 254th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 74,313 — 508th highest of 1,789 cities
18. College Station, Texas
> Median age (years): 23.1
> Population enrolled in college: 40.1% — 18th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 21.7% — 426th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 6.5% — 23rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 115,802 — 256th highest of 1,789 cities
17. Rexburg, Idaho
> Median age (years): 23.1
> Population enrolled in college: 37.6% — 21st highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 27.5% — 427th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 5.1% — 6th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 29,064 — 263rd lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Mount Pleasant, Michigan
> Median age (years): 22.6
> Population enrolled in college: 41.9% — 11th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 21.9% — 453rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 7.5% — 47th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 25,290 — 28th lowest of 1,789 cities (tied)
15. Bowling Green, Ohio
> Median age (years): 22.5
> Population enrolled in college: 41.2% — 15th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 19.8% — 214th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.4% — 92nd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 31,638 — 394th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
14. Pullman, Washington
> Median age (years): 22.4
> Population enrolled in college: 51.6% — 9th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 19.7% — 207th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 5.8% — 14th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 33,974 — 501st lowest of 1,789 cities
13. Statesboro, Georgia
> Median age (years): 22.4
> Population enrolled in college: 41.4% — 14th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 24.6% — 876th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.2% — 77th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 32,115 — 412th lowest of 1,789 cities
12. Ithaca, New York
> Median age (years): 22.1
> Population enrolled in college: 56.4% — 7th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 16.4% — 46th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 5.8% — 13th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 30,715 — 353rd lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Saratoga Springs, Utah
> Median age (years): 22.0
> Population enrolled in college: 6.0% — 728th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 47.0% — 4th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 3.7% — 3rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 31,273 — 377th lowest of 1,789 cities
10. Blacksburg, Virginia
> Median age (years): 21.8
> Population enrolled in college: 57.1% — 6th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 21.4% — 395th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 6.3% — 19th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 44,395 — 836th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
9. College Park, Maryland
> Median age (years): 21.7
> Population enrolled in college: 52.3% — 8th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 22.1% — 486th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 6.3% — 21st lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 32,221 — 418th lowest of 1,789 cities (tied)
8. West Lafayette, Indiana
> Median age (years): 21.6
> Population enrolled in college: 60.7% — 4th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 19.3% — 180th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 6.9% — 33rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 49,668 — 851st highest of 1,789 cities
7. State College, Pennsylvania
> Median age (years): 21.5
> Population enrolled in college: 63.8% — the highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 17.6% — 83rd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 5.6% — 12th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 42,100 — 779th lowest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Amherst Town, Massachusetts
> Median age (years): 21.4
> Population enrolled in college: 57.4% — 5th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 18.5% — 129th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.0% — 68th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 39,995 — 715th lowest of 1,789 cities
5. East Lansing, Michigan
> Median age (years): 21.4
> Population enrolled in college: 62.3% — 2nd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 20.4% — 259th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 8.2% — 82nd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 48,437 — 876th highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad]
4. University (Orange County), Florida
> Median age (years): 20.8
> Population enrolled in college: 61.5% — 3rd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 25.1% — 782nd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 5.6% — 11th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 36,709 — 607th lowest of 1,789 cities
3. Eagle Mountain, Utah
> Median age (years): 19.0
> Population enrolled in college: 4.9% — 315th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 50.2% — 3rd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 2.1% — the lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 35,431 — 551st lowest of 1,789 cities
2. Lakewood, New Jersey
> Median age (years): 16.8
> Population enrolled in college: 11.5% — 188th highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 54.4% — 2nd highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 3.9% — 4th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 55,039 — 753rd highest of 1,789 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Kiryas Joel, New York
> Median age (years): 14.1
> Population enrolled in college: 4.2% — 130th lowest of 1,789 cities
> Population 18 and younger: 62.3% — the highest of 1,789 cities
> Population 65 and older: 2.4% — 2nd lowest of 1,789 cities
> Total population: 25,910 — 72nd lowest of 1,789 cities
Methodology
To determine the cities 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 census “place” geographies — a category that includes incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We defined cities based on a population threshold — census places needed to have a population of at least 25,000 to be considered.
Cities were excluded if median age was not available in the 2020 ACS or if the sampling error associated with a city’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 city’s median age was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all cities’ median ages. We similarly excluded cities that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
Cities were ranked based on median age. To break ties, we used the share of the population that is 18 and younger.
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.
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
