United States median age by year, 1990 to 2023

United States: 38.0 years in 2023. Median age peaked at 38.0 years in 2023 in this 1990–2023 series.

Free to edit and export · No signup to start

What the data shows

United States: 31.9 years in 1990, 38.0 years in 2023.
Cyprus: 28.8 years in 1990, 37.8 years in 2023.
Moldova: 28.9 years in 1990, 37.8 years in 2023.
Australia: 31.1 years in 1990, 37.8 years in 2023.

About this chart

US median age rose from 31.9 years in 1990 to 38.0 years in 2023. The oldest median age in the displayed estimates was 38.0 years in 2023. Its lowest median age in this window was 31.9 years in 1990. These figures describe the midpoint of the population's age distribution, not average age or expected lifespan.

Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. In 2023, the comparison lines show Cyprus (37.8 years), Moldova (37.8 years) and Australia (37.8 years). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data, median age in years, estimates only. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.

United States: median age, years, 1990 to 2023; three nearest peers, 1990–2023
Date	🇺🇸 United States	🇨🇾 Cyprus	🇲🇩 Moldova	🇦🇺 Australia
1990	31.9 years	28.8 years	28.9 years	31.1 years
1991	32.1 years	29.1 years	29.2 years	31.4 years
1992	32.4 years	29.3 years	29.4 years	31.7 years
1993	32.6 years	29.4 years	29.7 years	32.0 years
1994	32.9 years	29.5 years	29.9 years	32.3 years
1995	33.1 years	29.6 years	30.1 years	32.7 years
1996	33.4 years	29.8 years	30.3 years	33.0 years
1997	33.6 years	30.0 years	30.4 years	33.4 years
1998	33.9 years	30.2 years	30.6 years	33.7 years
1999	34.1 years	30.4 years	30.8 years	34.1 years
2000	34.3 years	30.6 years	31.0 years	34.4 years
2001	34.5 years	30.8 years	31.2 years	34.6 years
2002	34.7 years	31.0 years	31.4 years	34.9 years
2003	34.8 years	31.2 years	31.5 years	35.1 years
2004	35.0 years	31.4 years	31.7 years	35.3 years
2005	35.2 years	31.6 years	31.9 years	35.5 years
2006	35.4 years	31.8 years	32.3 years	35.6 years
2007	35.5 years	32.0 years	32.6 years	35.8 years
2008	35.7 years	32.3 years	32.9 years	35.8 years
2009	35.8 years	32.6 years	33.2 years	35.9 years
2010	35.9 years	32.9 years	33.6 years	36.0 years
2011	36.0 years	33.2 years	33.9 years	36.2 years
2012	36.1 years	33.5 years	34.1 years	36.2 years
2013	36.2 years	33.8 years	34.4 years	36.2 years
2014	36.3 years	34.2 years	34.7 years	36.3 years
2015	36.4 years	34.6 years	35.0 years	36.3 years
2016	36.5 years	34.9 years	35.4 years	36.2 years
2017	36.6 years	35.3 years	35.8 years	36.3 years
2018	36.8 years	35.7 years	36.1 years	36.4 years
2019	37.0 years	36.1 years	36.5 years	36.5 years
2020	37.2 years	36.5 years	36.8 years	36.9 years
2021	37.5 years	36.9 years	37.2 years	37.3 years
2022	37.7 years	37.3 years	37.5 years	37.5 years
2023	38.0 years	37.8 years	37.8 years	37.8 years

Post it

Suggested caption: “United States: median age 31.9 years to 38.0 years (1990–2023).” Credit the source in your caption; it heads off the 'source?' comments.

Make it yours

Switch between bar, line, column and donut races with one click.
Pick 9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 4:5 for the feed or 16:9 for YouTube.
Change the theme, font, colors and race length, and add your own captions.
Paste your own numbers from Excel or Google Sheets. See the animated line chart maker for tips.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median age in United States?

US median age was 38.0 years in 2023, according to UN World Population Prospects 2024 estimates. Half the population was younger and half older than that age.

When was US median age highest in this series?

The highest displayed value was 38.0 years in 2023. This comparison covers 1990 through 2023; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.

Why are these countries compared with United States?

The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2023 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data, median age in years, estimates only. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

Yes. Open it in the editor, change the title, theme, colors or format (9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube), and export an MP4. Free exports are 720p with a small watermark; Pro ($11.99/month) removes it and adds 1080p, 4K and 60 fps.

Related data

All world charts

WorldReal data

Population of United States

US: 343.48M in 2023; UN projects 421.28M in 2100. The 1950 estimate was 154.2M. Future values follow the medium scenario.

US statesReal data

US fertility rate

The US fertility rate fell from 3.65 births per woman in 1960 to 1.63 in 2024, just above France (1.61) and the UK (1.55), and well above Japan (1.15).

US statesReal data

US birth rate

23.7 births per 1,000 people in 1960 to 10.6 in 2024: the US. World Bank crude birth rate, not births per woman.