Canva
Counties with the most seniors in Illinois
Seniors will comprise more than 20% of U.S. residents in 2030, up from 15% in 2020. By 2034, older adults will outnumber children, according to Census Bureau projections.
Across the U.S., 52 million Americans are 65 years or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and a quarter of them live in just three states: California, Florida, and Texas. By comparison, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, and Alaska each have fewer than 150,000 senior residents. The size of a state's senior population means a lot in terms of demand for resources like health care, affordable housing, assisted living, in-home and nursing care, and support services, and the quality and availability of those resources help determine where seniors migrate.
With baby boomers moving into old age, fewer babies being born, and longer life expectancies, the senior population of America is on a spectacular rise. The lengthening of the U.S. life expectancy has been particularly dramatic, rising to nearly 79 years from 68 years in 1950.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most seniors in Illinois using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents 65 years or older according to 2020 5-year estimates.
Keep reading to find out which counties have the most seniors in Illinois.
#50. Jasper County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.7%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.7 years old
- Total population: 9,547 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.7%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.7 years old
- Total population: 9,547 people
#49. Christian County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.0%
- Median age: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.6 years old
- Total population: 32,705 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.0%
- Median age: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.6 years old
- Total population: 32,705 people
#48. Clark County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.5%
- Median age: 41.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.9 years old
- Total population: 15,602 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.5%
- Median age: 41.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.9 years old
- Total population: 15,602 people
#47. Marion County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.0%
- Median age: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.2 years old
- Total population: 37,524 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.0%
- Median age: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.2 years old
- Total population: 37,524 people
#46. Macon County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 41.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.1 years old
- Total population: 104,688 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 41.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.1 years old
- Total population: 104,688 people
#45. Cumberland County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.5%
- Median age: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.4 years old
- Total population: 10,787 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.5%
- Median age: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.4 years old
- Total population: 10,787 people
#44. Saline County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 39 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.7 years old
- Total population: 23,735 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 39 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.7 years old
- Total population: 23,735 people
#43. Morgan County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.5 years old
- Total population: 34,012 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.5 years old
- Total population: 34,012 people
#42. Montgomery County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.1%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.2 years old
- Total population: 28,598 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.1%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.2 years old
- Total population: 28,598 people
#41. Macoupin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 42 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.3 years old
- Total population: 45,243 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 42 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.3 years old
- Total population: 45,243 people
#40. Adams County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.7%
- Median age: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.1 years old
- Total population: 65,670 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.7%
- Median age: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.1 years old
- Total population: 65,670 people
#39. Clay County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.8%
- Median age: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.6 years old
- Total population: 13,217 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.8%
- Median age: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.6 years old
- Total population: 13,217 people
#38. Richland County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.2 years old
- Total population: 15,677 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.2 years old
- Total population: 15,677 people
#37. Franklin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.1%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.5 years old
- Total population: 38,688 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.1%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.5 years old
- Total population: 38,688 people
#36. Henry County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 43.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 49,032 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 43.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 49,032 people
#35. Whiteside County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.0%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.9 years old
- Total population: 55,583 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.0%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.9 years old
- Total population: 55,583 people
#34. Fulton County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.7%
- Median age: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.3 years old
- Total population: 34,654 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.7%
- Median age: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.3 years old
- Total population: 34,654 people
#33. Massac County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.0%
- Median age: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.5 years old
- Total population: 14,041 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.0%
- Median age: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.5 years old
- Total population: 14,041 people
#32. Scott County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 45 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.3 years old
- Total population: 4,982 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 45 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.3 years old
- Total population: 4,982 people
#31. Union County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 16,829 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 16,829 people
#30. Wabash County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.9%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.3 years old
- Total population: 11,390 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.9%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.3 years old
- Total population: 11,390 people
#29. Washington County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 13,967 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 13,967 people
#28. Pike County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.4%
- Median age: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.1 years old
- Total population: 15,571 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.4%
- Median age: 42.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.1 years old
- Total population: 15,571 people
#27. Edwards County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.9%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 6,431 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.9%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 6,431 people
#26. Hamilton County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 8,151 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 8,151 people
#25. Knox County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 45 years old
- Total population: 50,052 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 45 years old
- Total population: 50,052 people
#24. Johnson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.2%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.2 years old
- Total population: 12,391 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.2%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.2 years old
- Total population: 12,391 people
#23. Mercer County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.9 years old
- Total population: 15,503 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.9 years old
- Total population: 15,503 people
#22. Iroquois County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 43 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.9 years old
- Total population: 27,437 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 43 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.9 years old
- Total population: 27,437 people
#21. Wayne County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.6 years old
- Total population: 16,309 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.6 years old
- Total population: 16,309 people
#20. Bureau County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.7 years old
- Total population: 32,878 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.7 years old
- Total population: 32,878 people
#19. Stark County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.6 years old
- Total population: 5,393 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.6 years old
- Total population: 5,393 people
#18. White County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.9 years old
- Total population: 13,712 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.9 years old
- Total population: 13,712 people
#17. Pulaski County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.3 years old
- Total population: 5,414 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.3 years old
- Total population: 5,414 people
#16. Edgar County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 45.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.1 years old
- Total population: 17,272 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 45.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.1 years old
- Total population: 17,272 people
#15. Mason County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 45.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.1 years old
- Total population: 13,486 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 45.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.1 years old
- Total population: 13,486 people
#14. Shelby County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.5 years old
- Total population: 21,623 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.5 years old
- Total population: 21,623 people
#13. Alexander County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 46.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.7 years old
- Total population: 6,011 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 46.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.7 years old
- Total population: 6,011 people
#12. Putnam County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.7%
- Median age: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.4 years old
- Total population: 5,720 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.7%
- Median age: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.4 years old
- Total population: 5,720 people
#11. Stephenson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.2 years old
- Total population: 44,683 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.2 years old
- Total population: 44,683 people
#10. Marshall County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 46.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.9 years old
- Total population: 11,562 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 46.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.9 years old
- Total population: 11,562 people
#9. Schuyler County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.2%
- Median age: 48 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 6,897 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.2%
- Median age: 48 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 6,897 people
#8. Hancock County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.0%
- Median age: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.6 years old
- Total population: 17,820 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.0%
- Median age: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.6 years old
- Total population: 17,820 people
#7. Gallatin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.0%
- Median age: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 47 years old
- Total population: 4,983 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.0%
- Median age: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 47 years old
- Total population: 4,983 people
#6. Calhoun County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 46.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 4,782 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 46.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 4,782 people
#5. Hardin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 24.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 14.2%
- Median age: 48.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.7 years old
- Total population: 3,890 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 14.2%
- Median age: 48.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.7 years old
- Total population: 3,890 people
#4. Carroll County
- Population aged 65 or older: 25.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.9%
- Median age: 48 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.3 years old
- Total population: 14,398 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.9%
- Median age: 48 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.3 years old
- Total population: 14,398 people
#3. Henderson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 25.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.3%
- Median age: 50.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.5 years old
- Total population: 6,737 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.3%
- Median age: 50.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.5 years old
- Total population: 6,737 people
#2. Jo Daviess County
- Population aged 65 or older: 28%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.0%
- Median age: 50.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 52.6 years old
- Total population: 21,429 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.0%
- Median age: 50.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 52.6 years old
- Total population: 21,429 people
#1. Pope County
- Population aged 65 or older: 30.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 14.7%
- Median age: 56.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 57.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 56.4 years old
- Total population: 4,177 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 14.7%
- Median age: 56.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 57.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 56.4 years old
- Total population: 4,177 people
