Folks, the numbers tell a story we can’t afford to ignore: America is getting older, fast. The latest Census Bureau report reveals a troubling milestone: as of 2024, older adults now outnumber children in a staggering 11 states and nearly half the counties across the nation. Let that sink in. We’re seeing a demographic shift that threatens the very foundation of our society, economy, and future prosperity.
Between 2020 and 2024 alone, the number of states where seniors surpass children ballooned from just three—Maine, Vermont, and Florida—to an eye-popping eleven. The list now includes Delaware, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. This isn’t a blip on the radar; it’s a seismic shift driven by sustained drops in birth rates, aging baby boomers, and policies that have failed to incentivize young families.
Take a look at the birth rate: it plummeted from 16.7 births per 1,000 people in 1990 down to just 10.7 births per 1,000 in 2023. That’s the lowest fertility rate ever recorded in our nation’s history. This decline isn’t accidental—it’s symptomatic of deeper economic and cultural issues. Young Americans are delaying marriage and children, burdened by crushing student loan debts, skyrocketing housing costs, and child care expenses that would make your grandparents’ eyes water.
And what does this mean for our communities? A rapidly aging population puts tremendous strain on Social Security and Medicare systems, already stretched thin. Glen Hedrick, a financial advisor at Old North State Wealth Management, warned the Epoch Times that this aging trend will only accelerate into the next decade. “This will be a pivotal time for entitlement reform and healthcare infrastructure reform,” Hedrick said. “For Social Security, the trend is in the direction of more beneficiaries and fewer contributors.”
According to the report, from 2020 to 2024, the older population grew by 13 percent, significantly outpacing the 1.4 percent growth of working-age adults (18 to 64), while the number of children declined by 1.7 percent.
We must confront these stark realities head-on and ask ourselves: what future does our nation have if the next generation is shrinking? Aaron Cirksena, founder and CEO of MDRN Capital, put it bluntly: “The country as a whole is getting older, while the younger population is decreasing. That’s going to put an extra strain not only on Social Security but Medicare and filling jobs for the future.”
President Trump’s America First agenda offers solutions that directly confront this looming crisis. Reviving American manufacturing, reforming trade agreements, and prioritizing border security can help stimulate economic growth and create stable, high-paying jobs. Incentivizing American families through tax reform—such as further enhancing the child tax credit—can encourage younger generations to start families sooner, reversing the dangerous demographic trend.
Moreover, we cannot ignore education reform. Our schools must instill pride in America and equip our youth with skills that lead to productive careers, not radical ideologies that undermine our nation’s future. Ending endless foreign wars and investing those resources here at home will allow us to rebuild infrastructure, support young families, and provide better healthcare options for our aging population.
The Census Bureau’s report also highlights that the average American median age has climbed to a record-high 39.1 years in 2024, up from 38.5 in 2020. States in the Northeast and Midwest are aging fastest, with Maine topping the list at a median age of 44.8 years. If we fail to address this demographic shift, regions facing population decline will only see economic stagnation and community decay.
Cirksena also warned of slower economic growth ahead, stating, “There’s only so many ways you can get tax revenues out of retirees on a fixed income, so this shrinking base of taxpayers means there are fewer people supporting the older population.” He’s right—without corrective action, we risk economic hardship and dwindling opportunities for future generations.
America must act decisively. Encouraging family formation, revitalizing our economy through America First policies, and reforming entitlements to remain sustainable will secure our nation’s future. We cannot afford to let this demographic crisis spiral further. The time to act is now.
