States with the “Oldest” Populations as America Grays

The map highlights states projected to have the highest proportions of their populations at ages 65 and older by 2025. Everyone knows that the U.S. population is aging, that is, it’s becoming increasingly older as the leading edge of the large “baby boom” population nears retirement. However, some areas are aging more rapidly than others. We know this is the case for states where many people are already relocating to when they retire – Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, etc. But we may not know that several states in the Rocky Mountain West are projected to become very old in the near future.

Among these are Montana and Wyoming. In twenty short years, Montana’s population 65 and older is projected to increase from around 129,000 people and 14% of the state’s total population to over 247,000 people and nearly 24% of the population in 2025. If this comes to pass, Montana would become the 4^th oldest population among all states in the nation. Wyoming would have the second oldest population with 24.3% that are 65 and older – second only to Florida at 24.7%.

Population growth in both Montana and Wyoming has largely resulted from more baby boomers moving to these states, padding on to this already large age segment in both states. As these boomers age, the 65 and older populations of both these states will swell. Other nearby states, like North and South Dakota, are becoming much older for different reasons. Their populations have not grown in recent years like those of Montana and Wyoming, largely through net in-migration. Rather, their populations have stagnated because of net out-migration, with the out-migrants largely composed of younger adults.