Maine Has the Highest Percentage of Senior Citizens in America

America’s population is getting older, but nowhere is that trend more noticeable than in Maine.

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data compiled by USAFacts and highlighted by Visual Capitalist, Maine has the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and older in the country.

Seniors make up 23.5% of Maine’s total population, meaning nearly one out of every four people living in the Pine Tree State is at least 65 years old.

Several other New England states also rank near the top of the list. Vermont comes in second at 22.9%, while New Hampshire is tied with Hawaii at 21.5%.

Here are the 10 states with the highest percentage of senior citizens:

1. Maine – 23.5%
2. Vermont – 22.9%
3. West Virginia – 21.9%
4. Florida – 21.8%
5. Delaware – 21.7%
6. Hawaii – 21.5%
7. New Hampshire – 21.5%
8. Montana – 21.2%
9. Pennsylvania – 20.4%
10. New Mexico – 20.1%

Florida may be the state most commonly associated with retirees, but Maine’s percentage of older residents is even higher.

At the opposite end of the list is Utah, where just 12.4% of the population is 65 or older.

According to Visual Capitalist , the growing number of seniors could have major implications for Maine in the years ahead, particularly when it comes to healthcare, housing, transportation, public services and the state’s workforce.

With younger residents often leaving Maine for jobs and education, the state may face increasing pressure to attract and retain working-age residents while also meeting the needs of its aging population.