Counties with the most seniors in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
#14. Suffolk County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.6%
- Median age: 33 years old
--- Median age of males: 32.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 33.4 years old
- Total population: 801,162 people
#13. Middlesex County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 38.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.8 years old
- Total population: 1,605,899 people
#12. Worcester County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.1%
- Median age: 40.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 39 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.4 years old
- Total population: 826,655 people
#11. Nantucket
- Population aged 18 and younger: 15.9%
- Median age: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.6 years old
- Total population: 11,212 people
#10. Norfolk County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.9%
- Median age: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.3 years old
- Total population: 703,740 people
#9. Hampden County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 39.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 41 years old
- Total population: 466,647 people
#8. Bristol County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.7%
- Median age: 41 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.8 years old
- Total population: 563,301 people
#7. Essex County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.5 years old
- Total population: 787,038 people
#6. Hampshire County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 14.5%
- Median age: 36.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 35.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 37.3 years old
- Total population: 161,361 people
#5. Plymouth County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 42.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 41 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.5 years old
- Total population: 518,597 people
#4. Franklin County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.3%
- Median age: 47 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.5 years old
- Total population: 70,529 people
#3. Berkshire County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.9%
- Median age: 47.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.9 years old
- Total population: 125,927 people
#2. Dukes County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.8%
- Median age: 49 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 50 years old
- Total population: 17,430 people
#1. Barnstable County
- Population aged 18 and younger: 15.0%
- Median age: 53.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 51.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 55.4 years old
- Total population: 213,505 people
