Special Report

This is the Oldest County in North Dakota

Samuel Stebbins

Published: July 22, 2021 8:00 am

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, and as birth rates slow nationwide, the U.S. population is rapidly growing older. The number of Americans older than 55 grew by 27% in the last decade, 20 times faster than the growth rate of the under 55 population, according to census data analysis. Currently, the median age in the United States is about 38. By 2060, the median age is projected to be 43.

While there are still decades to go before the median age in the U.S. exceeds 40, there are already counties that are ahead of this trend. Every state has at least one county or county equivalent where the median age is over half a decade above the national median.

McIntosh County ranks as the oldest county in North Dakota. The typical county resident is 53.5 years old, well above the median age across the state of 35.1.

Of the 2,597 people living in McIntosh County, 31.2% are 65 or older and 17.4% are under age 18. Meanwhile, 14.9% of all North Dakota residents are at least 65 years old and 23.2% are under 18.

All data for this story are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Counties were ranked based on the median age of all residents. In the case of a tie, the county with the largest share of the population 65 and older ranked as the oldest. This is the oldest county in every state.