Population Trends
Median Age by U.S. State: The Demographic Map of America
Maine and Florida are the oldest states. Utah is by far the youngest. Median age is one of the cleanest single signals of a state's demographic future.
By City Zip Compare Editorial · February 15, 2026 · 6 min read
The U.S. national median age is 38.9 (ACS5 2019–2023). The state spread runs from 31.4 (Utah) to 45.1 (Maine) — a 14-year gap. Median age is a remarkably reliable predictor of state-level housing demand, healthcare spending, school enrollment, and political behavior.
Why Utah is so young
Utah's median age of 31.4 is six full years below the national figure. The driver is family size: Utah has the highest fertility rate in the country, supported by the state's religious demography. Utah households have an average size of 3.06 people against a national average of 2.51.
Why Maine and Florida are so old
Maine and Florida are old for different reasons. Maine has aged in place — low fertility for two generations and significant outmigration of working-age residents. Florida has aged via in-migration of retirees from the Northeast and Midwest.
The implication: Maine's old population is poorer than Florida's old population. Maine's median income for households 65+ is below the national average; Florida's is at or above it because Florida's retirees brought retirement savings with them.
- Youngest states: Utah (31.4), Texas (35.2), Alaska (35.5)
- Oldest states: Maine (45.1), Florida (42.7), Vermont (43.0)
- National median: 38.9
- Spread: 14 years
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The 25 Fastest-Growing ZIP Codes in the United States (2026)
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Data: census.gov/programs-surveys/acs.