Are seniors outnumbering children in your state? Find out now!
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If you grew up in Michigan during the heyday of Motown, muscle cars, and the Tigers’ 1968 World Series win, you probably remember neighborhoods teeming with kids—bikes on every block, schoolyards echoing with laughter, and classrooms packed to the rafters.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed in ways few could have imagined. The Great Lakes State is experiencing a demographic sea change: in most Michigan counties, there are now more seniors than children.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s behind this dramatic shift, what it means for communities across the state, and how it might shape Michigan’s future.
From Baby Boom to Senior Surge: A Half-Century of Change
Back in 1970, the Baby Boomers were still kids and teens, and Michigan was a state bursting with youth.
According to the US Census, 37% of Michiganders were under 18, while just 8.5% were 65 or older. That’s nearly four children for every senior citizen. The state’s population was 8.9 million, with a whopping 3.25 million children.
But as the decades rolled by, the Boomers grew up, started families of their own, and eventually began to retire.
Today, Michigan’s population has grown to 10.1 million, but the number of children has dropped to 2.1 million—a 35% decline. Meanwhile, the senior population has exploded, more than doubling to 1.9 million.
Now, children make up just 21% of the state’s population, while seniors account for 19%. And in 45 of Michigan’s 83 counties, seniors outnumber children—a reversal that would have seemed unthinkable just a generation ago.
A Statewide Shift, From Cities to the UP
This isn’t just a story about a few retirement hotspots. The aging trend is happening everywhere—from the bustling suburbs of Metro Detroit to the remote forests of the Upper Peninsula.
Take Ontonagon County, for example, nestled in the UP near the Porcupine Mountains. In 1970, there were four children for every senior.
Today, the ratio has flipped: there are now three seniors for every child. Macomb County, once the epicenter of the Baby Boom, has seen its ratio of children to seniors plummet from 8.5-to-1 to nearly even.
Also read: Elder care in danger: Nursing homes shutter as demand soars
Even in counties that once brimmed with youth—like Clinton, Midland, and Monroe, where children made up 40% or more of the population in 1970—the numbers have dropped sharply.
Today, in more than half of Michigan’s counties, children make up less than 20% of the population. The trend is especially pronounced in the UP and northern Lower Peninsula, where some rural school districts are struggling to keep their doors open.
Why Are There Fewer Kids?
The reasons behind Michigan’s shrinking youth population are complex, but a few key factors stand out:
Also read: A new proposal could bring major changes to property tax bills for older homeowners
The Silver Tsunami: Seniors on the Rise
While the number of children has fallen, the senior population has soared. In 1970, only one county (Lake County) had a senior population above 20%.
Today, 50 counties do, and in nine counties—Ontonagon, Alcona, Keweenaw, Roscommon, Presque Isle, Leelanau, Montmorency, Iron, and Iosco—seniors make up more than 30% of the population.
This “silver tsunami” is driven by two main forces: the aging of the Baby Boomers (the largest generation in US history) and longer life expectancies.
In 1970, Michigan men could expect to live to 67, women to 74. Today, those numbers have jumped to 75.5 and 80.5, respectively.
What Does This Mean for Michigan?
This demographic shift is more than just a numbers game—it’s reshaping communities in profound ways:
Are you seeing these changes in your own Michigan community? Have you noticed more senior neighbors and fewer kids on your block? What do you think Michigan should do to adapt to this new reality? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed in ways few could have imagined. The Great Lakes State is experiencing a demographic sea change: in most Michigan counties, there are now more seniors than children.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s behind this dramatic shift, what it means for communities across the state, and how it might shape Michigan’s future.
From Baby Boom to Senior Surge: A Half-Century of Change
Back in 1970, the Baby Boomers were still kids and teens, and Michigan was a state bursting with youth.
According to the US Census, 37% of Michiganders were under 18, while just 8.5% were 65 or older. That’s nearly four children for every senior citizen. The state’s population was 8.9 million, with a whopping 3.25 million children.
But as the decades rolled by, the Boomers grew up, started families of their own, and eventually began to retire.
Today, Michigan’s population has grown to 10.1 million, but the number of children has dropped to 2.1 million—a 35% decline. Meanwhile, the senior population has exploded, more than doubling to 1.9 million.
More than half of Michigan’s counties now have more senior citizens than children, marking a significant demographic shift since 1970 when children far outnumbered seniors. Image source: Christian Bowen / Unsplash.
Now, children make up just 21% of the state’s population, while seniors account for 19%. And in 45 of Michigan’s 83 counties, seniors outnumber children—a reversal that would have seemed unthinkable just a generation ago.
A Statewide Shift, From Cities to the UP
This isn’t just a story about a few retirement hotspots. The aging trend is happening everywhere—from the bustling suburbs of Metro Detroit to the remote forests of the Upper Peninsula.
Take Ontonagon County, for example, nestled in the UP near the Porcupine Mountains. In 1970, there were four children for every senior.
Today, the ratio has flipped: there are now three seniors for every child. Macomb County, once the epicenter of the Baby Boom, has seen its ratio of children to seniors plummet from 8.5-to-1 to nearly even.
Also read: Elder care in danger: Nursing homes shutter as demand soars
Even in counties that once brimmed with youth—like Clinton, Midland, and Monroe, where children made up 40% or more of the population in 1970—the numbers have dropped sharply.
Today, in more than half of Michigan’s counties, children make up less than 20% of the population. The trend is especially pronounced in the UP and northern Lower Peninsula, where some rural school districts are struggling to keep their doors open.
Why Are There Fewer Kids?
The reasons behind Michigan’s shrinking youth population are complex, but a few key factors stand out:
- Declining Birth Rates: Michigan’s birth rate peaked in 1957, with over 208,000 births. Since then, it’s been mostly downhill, with a brief uptick in the 1980s and ‘90s as older Americans had their own children (the Millennials). In 2023, the state recorded just 99,178 births—the lowest since 1940, despite the population nearly doubling since then.
- Outmigration: Many young adults have left Michigan in search of jobs and opportunities elsewhere, especially during tough economic times.
- Aging in Place: Seniors are living longer and staying in their homes and communities, rather than moving to warmer climates or retirement centers.
Also read: A new proposal could bring major changes to property tax bills for older homeowners
The Silver Tsunami: Seniors on the Rise
While the number of children has fallen, the senior population has soared. In 1970, only one county (Lake County) had a senior population above 20%.
Today, 50 counties do, and in nine counties—Ontonagon, Alcona, Keweenaw, Roscommon, Presque Isle, Leelanau, Montmorency, Iron, and Iosco—seniors make up more than 30% of the population.
This “silver tsunami” is driven by two main forces: the aging of the Baby Boomers (the largest generation in US history) and longer life expectancies.
In 1970, Michigan men could expect to live to 67, women to 74. Today, those numbers have jumped to 75.5 and 80.5, respectively.
The decline in the child population has been dramatic, with children now less than 20% of the population in over half of Michigan’s counties, especially in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. Image source: Sven Mieke / Unsplash.
What Does This Mean for Michigan?
This demographic shift is more than just a numbers game—it’s reshaping communities in profound ways:
- Schools: With fewer children, many school districts are consolidating or closing schools, especially in rural areas. This can mean longer bus rides for kids and fewer extracurricular opportunities.
- Healthcare and Housing: The demand for senior services, healthcare, and age-friendly housing is skyrocketing. Communities are racing to build more assisted living facilities, expand home care options, and make public spaces more accessible.
- Workforce Challenges: As more Michiganders retire, there are fewer young people to fill jobs, especially in healthcare, education, and skilled trades. Some counties are already feeling the pinch, with businesses struggling to find workers.
- Real Estate: In some areas, the influx of retirees has driven up home prices, making it harder for young families to buy homes and settle down.
Are you seeing these changes in your own Michigan community? Have you noticed more senior neighbors and fewer kids on your block? What do you think Michigan should do to adapt to this new reality? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
