Jul 7, 2025 - News
Iowa's gray is growing, census data shows
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Iowa's older population is growing and its younger cohort is shrinking — mirroring national shifts, according to new census data.
The big picture: This demographic trend presents big policy and economic challenges — more older Americans means we'll need more care workers, for instance.
By the numbers: The state's 65 and older population grew by 10.6% from 2020 to 2024. Meanwhile, those under 18 decreased by 1.7%.
Zoom out: Similarly, the U.S. population age 65 and up grew by 13% during that time frame, and the number of people under 18 fell by 1.7%.
- The U.S. median age hit a record high of 39.1 in 2024, up from 38.5 in 2020.