If you ask someone which State has the largest share of older population most will answer Florida, but they would be wrong. Some might answer Alabama due to the large influx of northern transplants but the Yellow Hammer state only has 17.3% of it's population over 65 years of age.

According to Visual Capitalist, a publisher of data-driven analytics, Maine has the largest percentage of population over 65 years and more in age with 22.5%.

From 1980 to 2022, the median age of the population increased from 30.0 to 38.9, according to data from the Population Reference Bureau. Many of them have moved to warm climates for their retirement years. Yes, Florida did come in second with 21.6% and was followed by Vermont and West Virginia. (FYI: West Virginia has the lowest average cost of living so retirement funds may last longer)

The high share of older adults in states like Maine and Florida affects healthcare demand, workforce participation, and housing markets, shaping local economies and public policy.

That said, it’s still quite common for Americans older than 65 to continue to work, with 22% still employed in 2024. New Jersey had the highest share of working adults aged 65 and over in 2024.

Baldwin County has seen tremendous growth in the retirement crowd. While it does not yet have all of the amenities some areas in Florida possess, local cities are adding activity centers and fitness facilities.

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State 65+ population share

Alabama 17.30%

Alaska 12.80%

Arizona 18.00%

Arkansas 17.20%

California 14.70%

Colorado 14.70%

Connecticut 17.60%

Delaware 19.50%

Florida 20.70%

Georgia 14.30%

Hawaii 19.00%

Idaho 16.30%

Illinois 16.10%

Indiana 16.00%

Iowa 17.40%

Kansas 16.30%

Kentucky 16.80%

Louisiana 16.00%

Maine 21.20%

Maryland 15.80%

Massachusetts 16.90%

Michigan 17.70%

Minnesota 16.30%

Mississippi 16.40%

Missouri 17.20%

Montana 19.20%

Nebraska 16.00%

Nevada 16.10%

New Hampshire 18.80%

New Jersey 16.50%

New Mexico 18.00%

New York 16.90%

North Carolina 16.60%

North Dakota 15.60%

Ohio 17.40%

Oklahoma 15.90%

Oregon 18.10%

Pennsylvania 18.60%

Rhode Island 17.70%

South Carolina 18.20%

South Dakota 17.10%

Tennessee 16.70%

Texas 12.80%

Utah 11.40%

Vermont 20.10%

Virginia 15.90%

Washington 15.80%

West Virginia 20.40%

Wisconsin 17.50%

Wyoming 17.40%