Across the United States, a small number of counties are already living in the demographic future the rest of the nation will soon face. In these communities, older residents make up an unusually large share of the population. Their presence is reshaping housing, transportation, healthcare, workforce needs, community design, and everyday life.

This initiative examines the 25 counties in the United States with the highest percentage of older residents. These communities are a bellwether for the rest of our nation, offering an early view of the demographic conditions that will increasingly shape communities across the country.

In 30 years, seniors are estimated to outnumber our youth.
In some counties, this is already the reality.
25 Voices on Aging focuses on these places.

Rather than asking experts to speculate about the future, this initiative listens to the communities already experiencing it. The project brings together observations, experiences, and insights from people who live and work in these counties- the voices of residents, caregivers, professionals, and community leaders. These local experts are able to provide eal-world insight as to what is working, what is difficult, and what other regions should be preparing for.

25 Voices on Aging is not a site about ‘the elderly’ and how to serve them. It is a tool to help the entire community to plan and move forward when the proportions of all age groups shifts within its borders. It guides communities on how to establish a pathway to follow as the percentage of older residents increases while the percentage of younger decreases.

This shift in proportions, a core change in the age structure of communities, has broad impact. It alters the tax base, local budgets, funding for schools, housing, transportation, health systems, and emergency planning of the community. The shift affects children, working-age adults, families, and employers. It also changes the availability of workers, caregivers, and volunteers. This is not simply an older-adult issue. It is an all-ages community issue.

About the the Charter 25 Counties

It is critically important to note that the Charter 25 Counties, and their communities, are not all the same.

Some are rural and isolated. Others are retirement destinations. Some grew older gradually as younger populations left, while others expanded rapidly as retirees moved in. Each reflects a different pathway to demographic aging, and each offers lessons about how communities adapt when older adults become a defining part of the population.

Data can show where aging is occurring and how quickly populations are changing. But numbers alone do not reveal how these changes affect daily life.

– Data reveals facts. Human voices and lived experience reveal truths. –

Together they expose the realities and complexities our nation must prepare for as the United States continues to age.
The goal of this site is straightforward: to provide a clear view into communities already experiencing high concentrations of older adults so planners, leaders, and communities across the country can make better-informed decisions about the future.

For more information, contact Laurie Murphy at [email protected]

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DATA SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, Table S0101
(Age and Sex), using the percentage of residents age 65 and older.
(Counties with population of 1,000 or greater)

One note: As this initiative continues, county ranking will change. Different data sets will also reflect different rankings. For the sake of continuity, the 25 counties designated as The 25 Charter Counties will remain the same, even as these variances occur. We believe, however, that ANY county that has a significant percent of older residents deserves to be studied, as they offer many lessons to us all.