Retirement havens
Many cities have rapidly aging populations. The number of people age 65 and older grew from 46.2 million in 2014 to 47.8 million in 2015, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. A few cities have significant older populations, causing their median age to top 55 years. Here’s a look at the places with the oldest median ages in the country.
Sumter County, Florida
Residents of Sumter County have the oldest median age in the country: 66.6 years. It’s also the only county in the U.S. where the majority of the population is 65 or older. The retirement community The Villages draws many older people to the area.
Catron County, New Mexico
The natural wonders of the Catron County area keep many retirees in town. Much of this sparsely populated area is part of Gila National Forest, which is known for its mountains, canyons and hot springs. The median age is 60.1 years, according to the Census Bureau.
Charlotte County, Florida
Charlotte County surrounds the Charlotte Harbor in western Florida near the Gulf of Mexico. The county has a large older population with a median age of 58.4 years. The small and historic city of Punta Gorda is a haven for boaters and fishermen and has many canal front properties.
Alcona County, Michigan
Located in eastern Michigan on the shore of Lake Huron, Alcona County has a median age of 57.9 years. The small city of Harrisville is on the edge of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, and offers a variety of opportunities to hike, hunt and fish.
Ontonagon County, Michigan
Ontonagon County is located in northern Michigan on the shore of Lake Superior, but is named for the Ontonagon River that provides opportunities for fishing and many scenic waterfalls. The median age is 57.3 in this relatively sparsely populated county.
Jefferson County, Washington
The western part of Jefferson County is located along the Pacific Ocean and the eastern part lines the Puget Sound. These two parts of the county are divided by the largely uninhabited Olympic National Park. Many retirees enjoy this area’s natural beauty, and the median age is 57.3 years, according to the Census Bureau.
Lancaster County, Virginia
Some people dream of spending their retirement years tending a field of grapes, or at least sampling the wine they produce from time to time. Retirees in the Lancaster County area, which is often referred to as the Northern Neck of Virginia, can enjoy the scenic beauty and culinary delight of the many local wineries. The area’s median age is 57.1 years.
Wheeler County, Oregon
Wheeler County has a large older population with a median age of 56.9 years. The area is famous for its unique geologic formations and deposits of prehistoric plant and animal fossils — and there are two John Day Fossil Beds National Monument areas within the county.
Jeff Davis County, Texas
Stargazing is a popular retirement activity in Jeff Davis County. Seniors age 65 and older get a discount to the popular solar viewing and star party programs at the McDonald Observatory, which is a part of the University of Texas. The median age of residents in the county is 56.9 years.
Custer County, Colorado
This rugged mountain area has beautiful scenery thanks to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that border the county. The small town of Westcliffe has an elevation of 7,888 feet. Custer County residents have a median age of 56.5 years.
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10 Retirement Hot Spots in the U.S. originally appeared on usnews.com
