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Maine
Statistics on children, youth and families in Maine from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Maine Children's Alliance
Population ages 65 and over
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Why This Indicator Matters
In 2024, Maine has the second highest median age in the country at 44.9 years, behind Puerto Rico (45.4) according to the American Community Survey 1-year 2024 population estimates. While 10 states had more than 20% of their populations over age 65, Maine had the highest percentage of all states at 23.5%.
In 2025, there were approximately 347,617 people over age 65 compared to 244,245 children ages 17 & under. The high number of people over age 65 has implications for Maine's children and young adults. There are issues in finding younger adults to fill Maine's jobs. The state tax structure will have to take into account a relatively low number of working adults in the workforce at a time when the growing older adult population will need additional health and related services.
Between 2015 and 2025 the number of children decreased by -5% (12,420) decrease while the number of older adults increased by +39% (97,062).
At the county level for this time period, only 1 county saw an increase in the child population while every county saw an increase in the population over age 65. York (+49%), Sagadahoc (+46%), and Cumberland (+45%) saw the largest percent increases in their populations over age 65.
Comparing the number of children to the number of older adults in 2025, no county had more children than older adults.
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In 2025, there were approximately 347,617 people over age 65 compared to 244,245 children ages 17 & under. The high number of people over age 65 has implications for Maine's children and young adults. There are issues in finding younger adults to fill Maine's jobs. The state tax structure will have to take into account a relatively low number of working adults in the workforce at a time when the growing older adult population will need additional health and related services.
Between 2015 and 2025 the number of children decreased by -5% (12,420) decrease while the number of older adults increased by +39% (97,062).
At the county level for this time period, only 1 county saw an increase in the child population while every county saw an increase in the population over age 65. York (+49%), Sagadahoc (+46%), and Cumberland (+45%) saw the largest percent increases in their populations over age 65.
Comparing the number of children to the number of older adults in 2025, no county had more children than older adults.
Definition and Source
PROVIDER
Definition
The number of individuals ages 65 and older.
Data Source
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics.
2025 Data Uploaded 8/26/2026.
2025 Data Uploaded 8/26/2026.
Last Updated
August 2026