Northwest Arkansas' senior population outgrew all others
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The 65-and-up population grew faster than any other age group in Northwest Arkansas from 2020 to 2023 — 13.5% compared to 8% overall.
- That's an estimated 80,000 people, according to the Census Bureau's latest population estimates.
Why it matters: Cities with growing senior populations must be mindful of older residents' specific needs, like health care, transportation and affordable housing.
The big picture: The trend reflects a broader national phenomenon, with America's overall 65-plus population rising 9.4% to about 59.2 million people in this time frame.
Between the lines: Retirees packing up and relocating are likely driving at least some of the change in cities with especially notable 65+ growth, like Raleigh (+18.3%), Austin (+17.3) and Houston (+15.3%).
What they're saying: "While some metro areas saw increases in their youth population, and many saw gains in working-age populations, what's particularly remarkable is the near-universal increase in the older population for metro areas across the country," said Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Branch, in the agency's analysis.
Go deeper: Arkansas' senior workers are fewer than U.S. average