Where can you find large senior populations in America?
According to World Atlas, the population of older adults in America could be expected to nearly double to 98 million by 2060. Yet, individuals over 65 only make up about 16% of the overall population.
In other words, finding the right place to live out your retirement, where there’s likely to be plenty of folks your age, may take some time and effort. But don’t worry. Retirement In USA has got your back with our list of places that have a large senior population!
The AARP analyzed Census Bureau data to identify communities all across our nation with the most substantial senior populations.
Its analysis was based on the most recent information available. What did they find? Here’s a look at the 11 US locations with the large senior populations!
… Hint: Florida is just as popular as ever!
Homosassa Springs, Florida
Percentage of people 65 and over: 36.4%
Besides having a large senior population, the Homosassa Springs area is also known for its affordability, as well as its low crime and mild winters.
One of the Sunshine State’s original fishing towns, Homosassa is possibly most famous nowadays for being the home of the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which is a reserve that showcases rescued and rehabilitated native Florida wildlife.
But there’s much more to this beautiful place than its state park. It’s also a community well-known for its active waterfront lifestyle, including one of the state’s top sport fishing locations.
Prescott, Arizona
Percentage of people 65 and over: 30.8%
Prescott is the only community in this state to make it into the top 10 list of places in the US with a large senior population, located in northwest Arizona, approximately 60 miles away from the famous tourist city of Sedona.
There’s a lot to appreciate about Prescott, making it easy to understand the love from retirees. Highlights include a well-kept downtown blend of Old West and Midwest, a vibrant art scene, and a considerable amount of historically significant buildings.
With a cost of living that’s roughly 15.7% higher than the nation’s average, Prescott attracts many wealthy retirees, too.
Mountain Home, Arkansas
Percentage of people 65 and over: 31.5%
Mountain Home is a perfect place if you’re a retiree who enjoys the outdoor life, especially fishing. More than once, the area has been listed among the top 20 cities in the nation for sportsmen by Outdoor Life Magazine.
Field and Stream magazine have also praised it as being one of the best fishing towns in America. But fish aside, the community is a popular retirement haven and resort, as well. We can see why it has a large senior population.
And as an added bonus? The cost of living here is a bargain at 22.5% lower than the national average, another potentially appealing fact for seniors, the median home cost is only $136,300.
Barnstable Town, Massachusetts
Percentage of people 65 and over: 29.8%
We must admit: The only Massachusetts metropolis to attract such a large senior population, Barnstable Town is a costly choice for retirement.
A Cape Cod community that’s saturated with tourists every summer, the cost of living mirrors that seasonal traffic and demand of this place, coming in at 21.5% higher than the US average.
The average price of a home is a steep $382,400. But living expenses aside, the attraction for retirees may be the surplus of recreational possibilities in the Cape Cod region, from fishing and boating to beaches and everything else in between.
Port Angeles, Washington
Percentage of people 65 and over: 29.2%
As a leading choice for retirees who love the great outdoors, Port Angeles is very well-known as the gateway to Olympic National Park.
Due to the Olympic Peninsula and the national park, there are enough biking and hiking opportunities here to last you a lifetime, including a 130-mile Olympic Discovery Trail for biking.
All in all, it’s a tiny seaside town with the cost of living at 6.1%, which is lower than the US average. And the median home cost is $253,400. This must be why it has such a large senior population.
Pahrump, Nevada
Percentage of people 65 and over: 29.8%
About an hour away from Sin City, Pahrump is a rapidly developing community with a large senior population that’s home to a handful of wineries and five casinos. Its desert location is also an attraction for those who love the great outdoors.
Popular recreations here include riding all-terrain vehicles and golfing. Retirees might also find this community attractive because of its low cost of living, which is 9% lower than the US average. Furthermore, the median home price is only $187,100.
The Villages, Florida
Percentage of people 65 and over: 56.6%
The Villages is a giant retirement community in Central Florida right outside of Orlando. It’s THE place to be if you’re a retiree looking for companionship.
An Orlando newspaper reported last year that The Villages was the fastest-growing metro area in the nation, a statement based on 2018 Census data. The population of this community has grown by a surprising 38% since 2010.
No other place in the US had a growth rate that was even remotely similar between 2010 and 2018. So, what about The Villages is attracting such a large senior population?
A master-planned community for people aged 55 and over, The Villages says it’s an “active golf-cart community.” It features homes on tree-lined streets, 50 golf courses, small town squares, and 2,500 activities and clubs… just to name a few highlights.
Crossville, Tennessee
Percentage of people 65 and over: 30.7%
As the only place in Tennessee to make it into our list, Crossville is a straight-up bargain, which is most likely very appealing for retirees. The average home price is only $146,500, while the cost of living is about 18.6% lower than the US average.
And another good reason why retirees might find it so appealing and why it has such a large senior population is that Crossville is the golf capital of the state. It’s home to 10 golf courses, including the state’s first Jack Nicklaus-designed course.
Brookings, Oregon
Percentage of people 65 and over: 33.1%
Brookings is the only Oregon community that made it into our list of places with a large senior population. It’s a scenic coastal community in Southern Oregon.
Well-known for its uniquely mild climate, Brookings often remains pleasantly sunny when most of the surrounding area is challenged by fog or clouds. The cost of living here, though, isn’t exactly a steal.
The average home price is approximately $348,000, and the cost of living is roughly 5.8% higher than the national average.
Brevard, North Carolina
Percentage of people 65 and over: 29.7%
Retirees seem to be flocking in significant numbers to Brevard, where the cost of living is about 7.5% lower than the US average. The median home cost here is approximately $217,700. A scenic area, Brevard is part of North Carolina’s Land of Waterfalls.
And besides having a huge outdoor appeal, this place has such a large senior population because it offers a charming Main Street that’s lined by adorable galleries and local shops. Outdoor recreation here ranges from fly fishing to hiking to keep nature lovers busy.
Wow, what are we waiting for? Pack your bags and visit this charming place to see if it’s a right fit for you!
Fredericksburg, Texas
Percentage of people 65 and over: 29.3%
Situated in Texas’ famous Hill Country, Fredericksburg has been dubbed one of the most romantic small towns in the nation by various media outlets. That sounds like the perfect reason to settle here during your golden years. No wonder it has a large senior population!
Attractions in this area include over 50 wineries and abundant outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and bicycling.
As attractive as the area is, the cost of living remains 1.1% higher than the national average. And the average price of a home is $304,600.
Would you consider relocating to a place with a large senior population? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
And if you enjoyed this article, we highly recommend you also read: 9 Impressive Work-From-Home Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree
