Pennsylvania's graying population
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Pennsylvanians aren't having enough babies to keep up with the state's aging population.
The big picture: This demographic trend across the Commonwealth and U.S. is creating big policy and economic challenges, like the need for more care workers for older adults, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick writes.
By the numbers: Pennsylvania's 65+ population increased nearly 11% between 2020 and 2024, the Census bureau says.
- Meanwhile, the 18-and-younger crowd shrank by 3%.
1 stunning stat: The Commonwealth is among 11 states — including Delaware, West Virginia and Oregon — where adults aged 65 and older outnumber children.
Zoom out: The U.S. median age hit a new record high of 39.1 in 2024, up from 38.5 in 2020
- Plus: The U.S. population aged 65 and up grew by 13% during that time.
The bottom line: These latest figures continue a longstanding trend of an aging America.