Alaska Leads U.S. in Fastest-Growing Senior Population Over the Past Decade
Alaska has experienced the fastest growth in its senior population, aged 65 and older, with a 56% increase from 2014 to 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This growth is attributed to longtime residents aging in place, particularly those who moved to Alaska during the oil boom of the 1970s and 1980s. Other states with significant increases include Idaho, Delaware, and Utah, each with nearly 50% growth. In contrast, West Virginia saw the slowest growth due to its already older population. Nationwide, the senior population grew by 34%, with many of the fastest-growing states located in the West and Sun Belt regions.