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Counties with the most seniors in Tennessee
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
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#50. Lincoln County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 34,158 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 34,158 people
#49. Wayne County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.4%
- Median age: 44 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 16,638 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.4%
- Median age: 44 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 16,638 people
#48. Humphreys County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.2 years old
- Total population: 18,528 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.2 years old
- Total population: 18,528 people
#47. Marion County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.0%
- Median age: 43.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.3 years old
- Total population: 28,639 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.0%
- Median age: 43.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.3 years old
- Total population: 28,639 people
#46. Claiborne County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 42.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.3 years old
- Total population: 31,827 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 42.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.3 years old
- Total population: 31,827 people
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#45. Sevier County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 98,007 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 98,007 people
#44. McMinn County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.1%
- Median age: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.8 years old
- Total population: 53,392 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.1%
- Median age: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.8 years old
- Total population: 53,392 people
#43. Stewart County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.7 years old
- Total population: 13,553 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.7 years old
- Total population: 13,553 people
#42. Carroll County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 27,841 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 27,841 people
#41. Anderson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.1%
- Median age: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 76,513 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.1%
- Median age: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 76,513 people
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#40. Jefferson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.6%
- Median age: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 54,162 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.6%
- Median age: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 54,162 people
#39. Franklin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.0%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.8 years old
- Total population: 41,999 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.0%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.8 years old
- Total population: 41,999 people
#38. Giles County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.8%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 29,403 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.8%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 29,403 people
#37. White County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.9%
- Median age: 43.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.5 years old
- Total population: 27,087 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.9%
- Median age: 43.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.5 years old
- Total population: 27,087 people
#36. Blount County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 131,641 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 43.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 131,641 people
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#35. Obion County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.8%
- Median age: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 42 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.9 years old
- Total population: 30,343 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.8%
- Median age: 42.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 42 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.9 years old
- Total population: 30,343 people
#34. Overton County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 43.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45 years old
- Total population: 22,171 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.5%
- Median age: 43.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45 years old
- Total population: 22,171 people
#33. Perry County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.8 years old
- Total population: 8,020 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.8 years old
- Total population: 8,020 people
#32. Campbell County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 39,818 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 39,818 people
#31. Houston County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 8,201 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 8,201 people
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#30. Sequatchie County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 44.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.6 years old
- Total population: 14,936 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 44.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.6 years old
- Total population: 14,936 people
#29. Grainger County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.9%
- Median age: 46.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 23,268 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.9%
- Median age: 46.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 23,268 people
#28. Grundy County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.9%
- Median age: 43.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 13,371 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.9%
- Median age: 43.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.8 years old
- Total population: 13,371 people
#27. Hawkins County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.7 years old
- Total population: 56,735 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.7 years old
- Total population: 56,735 people
#26. McNairy County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 25,814 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 25,814 people
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#25. Polk County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.9%
- Median age: 46.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 47 years old
- Total population: 16,807 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.9%
- Median age: 46.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 47 years old
- Total population: 16,807 people
#24. Lewis County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 12,131 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.1 years old
- Total population: 12,131 people
#23. Hancock County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.6 years old
- Total population: 6,568 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.6 years old
- Total population: 6,568 people
#22. Moore County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.3 years old
- Total population: 6,396 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.3 years old
- Total population: 6,396 people
#21. Monroe County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 46,413 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.2 years old
- Total population: 46,413 people
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#20. Cocke County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.4%
- Median age: 45.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 35,797 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.4%
- Median age: 45.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 35,797 people
#19. Fayette County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 46.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 40,612 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 46.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 40,612 people
#18. Fentress County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.9%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 18,405 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.9%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 18,405 people
#17. Meigs County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.3%
- Median age: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 12,237 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.3%
- Median age: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 12,237 people
#16. Carter County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.3%
- Median age: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.4 years old
- Total population: 56,452 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.3%
- Median age: 45.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.4 years old
- Total population: 56,452 people
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#15. Greene County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.4%
- Median age: 45 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.4 years old
- Total population: 69,077 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.4%
- Median age: 45 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.4 years old
- Total population: 69,077 people
#14. Sullivan County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 45.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 157,707 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 45.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 157,707 people
#13. Jackson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.2%
- Median age: 47.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.1 years old
- Total population: 11,767 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.2%
- Median age: 47.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.1 years old
- Total population: 11,767 people
#12. Hardin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 45.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 25,665 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 45.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 25,665 people
#11. Roane County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.7 years old
- Total population: 53,331 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.7 years old
- Total population: 53,331 people
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#10. Johnson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.9%
- Median age: 46.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.8 years old
- Total population: 17,755 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.9%
- Median age: 46.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.8 years old
- Total population: 17,755 people
#9. Henry County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 45.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.5 years old
- Total population: 32,251 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 45.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.5 years old
- Total population: 32,251 people
#8. Van Buren County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 46.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.2 years old
- Total population: 5,813 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 46.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.2 years old
- Total population: 5,813 people
#7. Unicoi County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.5%
- Median age: 47.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.8 years old
- Total population: 17,821 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.5%
- Median age: 47.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.8 years old
- Total population: 17,821 people
#6. Benton County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 47.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 16,133 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.8%
- Median age: 47.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 16,133 people
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#5. Clay County
- Population aged 65 or older: 24%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 47 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.3 years old
- Total population: 7,640 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 47 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.3 years old
- Total population: 7,640 people
#4. Decatur County
- Population aged 65 or older: 24.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.9%
- Median age: 46.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.3 years old
- Total population: 11,663 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.9%
- Median age: 46.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.3 years old
- Total population: 11,663 people
#3. Loudon County
- Population aged 65 or older: 26.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.4%
- Median age: 47.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.3 years old
- Total population: 53,169 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.4%
- Median age: 47.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.3 years old
- Total population: 53,169 people
#2. Pickett County
- Population aged 65 or older: 27.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 50.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.3 years old
- Total population: 5,068 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 50.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.3 years old
- Total population: 5,068 people
#1. Cumberland County
- Population aged 65 or older: 30.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.5%
- Median age: 51.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 53.4 years old
- Total population: 60,016 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.5%
- Median age: 51.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 53.4 years old
- Total population: 60,016 people
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