NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

November 5, 1998

North Dakota Median Age Continues to Rise

The median age of North Dakotans rose 3.1 years from 1990 through 1997. As reported in the recently released "Population Bulletin" from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, the median age in North Dakota now stands at 35.4.

Nationally, the median age rose 2.1 years to 34.9 during the same period. When compared to other states, North Dakota's median age currently ranks 22^nd, says Richard Rathge, data center director. West Virginia and Florida have the oldest median ages, 38.1 and 38.9, respectively. Utah now has the youngest population, with a median age of 26.9.

The gap in age distributions for those younger than age 10 and people 65 and older is widening in North Dakota. The proportion of children younger than 10 has dropped to 13.2 percent of the state's total population. Meanwhile, the elderly segment—those 65 and older—now comprises 14.4 percent of the state's population, Rathge says.

Sioux and Rolette counties are now the youngest, with each county having more than one-fifth of its population younger than age 10. In contrast, McIntosh and Nelson are the oldest counties, with more than one-third of the residents having surpassed age 60.

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Source: Richard Rathge (701) 231-8621

Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136

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