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Counties with the most seniors in Washington
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 Washington 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 Washington.
#39. Franklin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 9.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 32.5%
- Median age: 30.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 30.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 29.9 years old
- Total population: 93,681 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 32.5%
- Median age: 30.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 30.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 29.9 years old
- Total population: 93,681 people
#38. Whitman County
- Population aged 65 or older: 10.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 15.0%
- Median age: 25.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 25.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 25.2 years old
- Total population: 49,577 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 15.0%
- Median age: 25.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 25.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 25.2 years old
- Total population: 49,577 people
#37. Adams County
- Population aged 65 or older: 11.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 35.2%
- Median age: 28 years old
--- Median age of males: 27.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 29 years old
- Total population: 19,702 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 35.2%
- Median age: 28 years old
--- Median age of males: 27.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 29 years old
- Total population: 19,702 people
#36. King County
- Population aged 65 or older: 13.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 37 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 37.8 years old
- Total population: 2,225,064 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 37 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 37.8 years old
- Total population: 2,225,064 people
#35. Snohomish County
- Population aged 65 or older: 13.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 38 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.9 years old
- Total population: 811,572 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 38 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.9 years old
- Total population: 811,572 people
#34. Yakima County
- Population aged 65 or older: 13.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 29.7%
- Median age: 32.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 31.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 33.8 years old
- Total population: 250,649 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 29.7%
- Median age: 32.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 31.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 33.8 years old
- Total population: 250,649 people
#33. Pierce County
- Population aged 65 or older: 13.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.4%
- Median age: 36.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 35 years old
--- Median age of females: 37.5 years old
- Total population: 891,862 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.4%
- Median age: 36.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 35 years old
--- Median age of females: 37.5 years old
- Total population: 891,862 people
#32. Grant County
- Population aged 65 or older: 13.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 29.5%
- Median age: 33.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 32.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 33.6 years old
- Total population: 96,648 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 29.5%
- Median age: 33.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 32.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 33.6 years old
- Total population: 96,648 people
#31. Benton County
- Population aged 65 or older: 14.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 26.6%
- Median age: 36 years old
--- Median age of males: 35.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 36.8 years old
- Total population: 200,715 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 26.6%
- Median age: 36 years old
--- Median age of males: 35.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 36.8 years old
- Total population: 200,715 people
#30. Clark County
- Population aged 65 or older: 15.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.9%
- Median age: 38.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.5 years old
- Total population: 481,950 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.9%
- Median age: 38.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.5 years old
- Total population: 481,950 people
#29. Kittitas County
- Population aged 65 or older: 16%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.9%
- Median age: 33.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 32.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 35 years old
- Total population: 47,097 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.9%
- Median age: 33.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 32.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 35 years old
- Total population: 47,097 people
#28. Spokane County
- Population aged 65 or older: 16.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.1%
- Median age: 37.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 39 years old
- Total population: 513,402 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.1%
- Median age: 37.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 39 years old
- Total population: 513,402 people
#27. Whatcom County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.4%
- Median age: 37.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.3 years old
- Total population: 224,538 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.4%
- Median age: 37.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.3 years old
- Total population: 224,538 people
#26. Thurston County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 39.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.8 years old
- Total population: 284,698 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 39.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.8 years old
- Total population: 284,698 people
#25. Douglas County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.8%
- Median age: 37.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 36 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.5 years old
- Total population: 42,520 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.8%
- Median age: 37.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 36 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.5 years old
- Total population: 42,520 people
#24. Kitsap County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.4%
- Median age: 39.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 37 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.5 years old
- Total population: 268,945 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.4%
- Median age: 39.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 37 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.5 years old
- Total population: 268,945 people
#23. Walla Walla County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.1%
- Median age: 37.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 35.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.2 years old
- Total population: 60,785 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.1%
- Median age: 37.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 35.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.2 years old
- Total population: 60,785 people
#22. Cowlitz County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.8%
- Median age: 41 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.4 years old
- Total population: 108,399 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.8%
- Median age: 41 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.4 years old
- Total population: 108,399 people
#21. Chelan County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.5%
- Median age: 40.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.2 years old
- Total population: 76,653 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.5%
- Median age: 40.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.2 years old
- Total population: 76,653 people
#20. Skamania County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 47 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.6 years old
- Total population: 11,906 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.7%
- Median age: 47 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.6 years old
- Total population: 11,906 people
#19. Skagit County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.8%
- Median age: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.2 years old
- Total population: 127,442 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.8%
- Median age: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.2 years old
- Total population: 127,442 people
#18. Lewis County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.3 years old
- Total population: 79,430 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.6%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.3 years old
- Total population: 79,430 people
#17. Grays Harbor County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.3%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 73,769 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.3%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 73,769 people
#16. Okanogan County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.0%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.8 years old
- Total population: 42,080 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.0%
- Median age: 43 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.8 years old
- Total population: 42,080 people
#15. Mason County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 45.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.9 years old
- Total population: 65,326 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 45.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.9 years old
- Total population: 65,326 people
#14. Asotin County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.4%
- Median age: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.7 years old
- Total population: 22,636 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.4%
- Median age: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 44 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.7 years old
- Total population: 22,636 people
#13. Stevens County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 47 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.2 years old
- Total population: 45,233 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.4%
- Median age: 47 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.2 years old
- Total population: 45,233 people
#12. Klickitat County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 46.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.4 years old
- Total population: 22,055 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.3%
- Median age: 46.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.4 years old
- Total population: 22,055 people
#11. Island County
- Population aged 65 or older: 24.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.1%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 84,187 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 18.1%
- Median age: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.9 years old
- Total population: 84,187 people
#10. Lincoln County
- Population aged 65 or older: 25.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 48.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 10,732 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 48.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 10,732 people
#9. Pend Oreille County
- Population aged 65 or older: 26.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.0%
- Median age: 50.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 50.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.3 years old
- Total population: 13,588 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.0%
- Median age: 50.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 50.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.3 years old
- Total population: 13,588 people
#8. Garfield County
- Population aged 65 or older: 26.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.0%
- Median age: 49.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 51.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 2,258 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.0%
- Median age: 49.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 51.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 2,258 people
#7. Ferry County
- Population aged 65 or older: 27.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.2%
- Median age: 52.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 53.4 years old
- Total population: 7,643 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 16.2%
- Median age: 52.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 53.4 years old
- Total population: 7,643 people
#6. Columbia County
- Population aged 65 or older: 28.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.2%
- Median age: 49 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 50.5 years old
- Total population: 4,024 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.2%
- Median age: 49 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 50.5 years old
- Total population: 4,024 people
#5. Clallam County
- Population aged 65 or older: 29.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.0%
- Median age: 50.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 53.1 years old
- Total population: 76,482 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.0%
- Median age: 50.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 53.1 years old
- Total population: 76,482 people
#4. Pacific County
- Population aged 65 or older: 31.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 15.7%
- Median age: 54.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 53 years old
--- Median age of females: 55.4 years old
- Total population: 22,121 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 15.7%
- Median age: 54.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 53 years old
--- Median age of females: 55.4 years old
- Total population: 22,121 people
#3. Wahkiakum County
- Population aged 65 or older: 32.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.5%
- Median age: 55.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 55.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 55.7 years old
- Total population: 4,318 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.5%
- Median age: 55.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 55.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 55.7 years old
- Total population: 4,318 people
#2. San Juan County
- Population aged 65 or older: 33.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 13.0%
- Median age: 56.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 56.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 56.8 years old
- Total population: 16,953 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 13.0%
- Median age: 56.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 56.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 56.8 years old
- Total population: 16,953 people
#1. Jefferson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 36.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 12.0%
- Median age: 59 years old
--- Median age of males: 58.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 59.3 years old
- Total population: 31,825 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 12.0%
- Median age: 59 years old
--- Median age of males: 58.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 59.3 years old
- Total population: 31,825 people
