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0.1.2 Median Age of the Population
Why is this important?
The median age of a population is the number that divides the population into two halves, meaning that 50% of the population is older than the median age and 50% of the population is younger. For populations with a skewed age distribution, it provides a better sense of the middle value of the population than average age. Median age gives a sense of the age structure of a community, therefore helping to anticipate costs and required levels of service for everything from public education to housing to health care within both Walla Walla and Columbia Counties.
A comparison of the county's median age to the benchmarks helps answer the question of whether the community is comparatively getting "older" or "younger". The indicator carries value for firms and any organization that tailors its offerings by age.
This indicator measures the median age of the population of Walla Walla & Columbia Counties combined. Washington State and the U.S. are offered as benchmarks.
The Census offers 1-year estimates for areas with populations of 65,000 or more people; five-year estimates are available for all areas. One-year estimates use 12 months of collected data, while 5-year estimates use a 60-month rolling average. Due to the different methodologies used, it is important to use the same type of estimate when making a comparison.
Where are we?
In 2023, the median age of the population of:
- Walla Walla & Columbia Counties combined was 39.3, increasing from 38.5 in 2013. (not statistically significant)
- Washington State was 38.6, increasing from 37.4 in 2013. (statistically significant)
- The U.S. was 39.2, increasing from 37.5 in 2013. (statistically significant)
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey (ACS) - Explore Census Data
Notes:
1) This information comes from a survey, so the data presented are estimates. All significant tests are done at the 90% confidence interval. The margin of errors is provided in the “Download Data” section.
2) Not all indicators can be tested for statistical significance. For example, some indicators use portions of data from multiple ACS sources, and the test is cannot be running. If available, the results of the test are offered. When no test results are offered, the statistical significance test was not able to be conducted.
3) Learn more about the ACS:
4) According to the US Census Bureau, the pandemic made the collection of accurate one-year estimates for the American Community Survey (ACS) impossible in 2020.