25 Cities With Highest Young Population In The US

In this article, we will discuss the 25 cities with highest young population in the US. If you want to skip our discussion on the recent demographic changes and trends, you can go directly to the 5 Cities With Highest Young Population In The US.

According to data released by KKF, an independent body for health policy research, the top US states with populations aged between 0 and 25 years are Utah, Texas, and Idaho. These states are also host to some of the top US cities for young population. With the average age of the US population on the rise, there are many cities that have a rising aging population. Many cities are marketed as ideal for retirement planning due to their facilities and senior citizen-friendly planning. You can check out the 20 Cities with Highest Elderly Population here. With an overall aging US population as Baby Boomers enter their old age, US demographics now predict that older citizens will outnumber children by the time 2030 rolls up. This is mainly due to declining fertility rates, as people opt to have no children or just one child. According to the 2022 US Census, the current population of individuals under 35 years old stands at 43.8%. This percentage reflects a continuous decline, a trend observed over the past three decades. In the 90s, the percentage of the US population aged under 35 was about 54%. With declining birth rates and longer life expectancy rates, the US is set to have an increasingly older population with every passing year.

Many of the youngest cities in the world are characterized as university towns, where a significant number of students attend colleges and universities. Additionally, cities situated near military garrisons also qualify for inclusion in our list of the cities with the highest young population, given that a substantial portion of the serving staff tends to be under the age of 30. Cities offering affordable living standards, youth-friendly tax policies, and higher employment opportunities become attractive havens for young individuals seeking to establish themselves and build a career. The presence of top tech companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL), and eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY), among many others, create an influx of young professionals moving into the area for work and projects. Utah stands out as the youngest state in the USA, boasting multiple cities on the list and holding the highest state population under both the 25 and 35-year categories. The birth rate in Utah is reported at 14.9 births per 1,000 population, and the median age is 30.7 years. Utah is home to multiple Fortune 500 companies as well as other small and large businesses due to its positive business policies.

Cities that offer more affordable educational facilities, lower mortgage rates, and improved employment opportunities are increasingly becoming focal points for young individuals seeking to live in such areas. According to the Youth & Money in the USA survey, two major concerns impacting the financial well-being of young Americans are inflation and mortgage rates. Around half of young Americans believe that inflation has a very negative impact on their financial security. Similarly, 39% share this sentiment concerning mortgage prices. Interestingly, despite 89% of young adults currently not owning a home, over 50% of them think purchasing a home is much more challenging compared to when their parents entered the job market. Furthermore, 51% of young adults assert that mortgage and interest rates play a crucial role in influencing their decision to buy a home.

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Methodology

To compile the list of the top 25 cities with highest young population in the US, we utilized data from various sources, including KFF estimates, the American Community Survey (ACS), and insights from Neilsberg Research. We established criteria for cities with a population above 25,000. Cities were excluded if the median age data was unavailable in the 2022 ACS or if the associated sampling error exceeded acceptable thresholds (above two standard deviations from the coefficient of variation provided in the ACS table). To narrow down the selection of cities, we used two key metrics: the average age of the population in the state and the percentage of the population below 25 years old. The cities are presented in descending order, starting from those with a higher average age population and progressing to those with a lower average age.

 Cities with Highest Young Population in the US

25. Flagstaff, Arizona

Average age:  24.9 years

Percentage of population under 25: 48.71%

Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University. The city has secured a spot in the top 20 college towns of its size in the annual College Destinations Index released by the American Institute for Economic Research.

24. Urbana, Illinois

Average age: 24.7 years

Percentage of population under 25: 40.35%

Urbana, Illinois, is home to the University of Illinois and is renowned as the “Tree City, USA,” boasting over 100,000 trees. The city has a median age of 24.7 years.

23. Newark, Delaware

Average age: 24.7 years

Percentage of population under 25: 49.14%

Newark is known for its diverse manufacturing activities, including the production of concrete goods, processed foods, and automobile assembly. The University of Delaware is also located in Newark.

22. Manhattan, Kansas

Average age: 24.6 years

Percentage of population under 25: 49.99%

Manhattan is home to Kansas State University. The city’s cost of living is comparatively lower than the national average.

21. Nacogdoches, Texas

Average age: 24.4 years

Percentage of population under 25: 50.46%

Nacogdoches, Texas, holds the honor of being the county seat and is home to Stephen F. Austin State University. Referred to as the “oldest town in Texas,” Nacogdoches played a pivotal role as the headquarters of the Spanish government in the 1700s, overseeing a significant section of Texas. The cost of living and the crime rate in the city are lower than the national average.

20. Morgantown, West Virginia

Average age: 24.2 years

Percentage of population under 25: 51.35%

West Virginia University is located in Morgantown. The city is popular due to its low cost of living and crime rates.

19. North Chicago, Illinois

Average age: 24.1 years

Percentage of population under 25: 51.97%

North Chicago stands as a suburb within the Chicago metropolitan area in Lake County. The city offers a cost of living slightly lower than the national average. Furthermore, North Chicago demonstrates a commendable commitment to safety, with crime rates significantly below the national average. 

18. Bloomington, Indiana

Average age: 24 years

Percentage of population under 25: 51.02%

Bloomington is widely regarded as one of the premier places to reside in the state of Indiana. Indiana University is located in Bloomington. There are several businesses located around the city, contributing to its economy.

17. Logan, Utah

Average age: 23.7 years

Percentage of population under 25: 54.66%

Logan is home to Utah State University and is ranked among the most popular college towns in the US. Amongst its perks are its proximity to Salt Lake City and the multiple businesses located in the vicinity.

16. Provo, Utah

Average age: 23.6 years

Percentage of population under 25: 57.75%

Provo is home to Brigham Young University and is located close to businesses like CircusTrix and Qualtrics, amongst several others. It is about 43 miles away from Salt Lake City. It is popular due to its low crime rates and good quality of life.

15. Ames, Iowa

Average age: 23.5 years

Percentage of population under 25: 54.48%

Ames is known as a college town, with university students making up almost half its population. Iowa State University is located in Ames.

14. Jacksonville, North Carolina

Average age: 23.2 years

Percentage of population under 25: 58.19%

Jacksonville is known as a military town and is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and the New River Marine Corps Air Station. The city’s growth is also attributed to the presence of these bases in its proximity.

13. Rexburg, Idaho

Average age: 23.1 years

Percentage of Population under 25: 59.95%

The Brigham Young University–Idaho is located in Rexburg. The city is constantly ranked amongst Idaho’s safest cities and is listed as one of the 100 safest cities in America. Rexburg’s public school system, the Madison School District, is considered amongst the best in Idaho.

12. Mount Pleasant, MI

Average age: 22.7 years

Percentage of population under 25: 56.33%

Mount Pleasant is located in Central Michigan. The city hosts various American Indian cultural events and a range of outdoor activities centered around the Deerfield Nature Park.

11. Bowling Green, Ohio

Average age: 22.5 years

Percentage of population under 25: 57.97%

Bowling Green is a small college town in Northwest Ohio, about 50 miles away from the Michigan border. The city is well known for its Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and having the only factory where General Motors Corvettes are assembled.

10. Pullman, Washington

Average age: 22.4 years

Percentage of Population under 25: 60.14%

Pullman, Washington, is a small city with Washington State University as its main attraction. The city is also home to the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc., which manufactures generator and transmission automation and control systems.

9. Statesboro, Georgia

Average age: 22.4 years

Percentage of population under 25: 59.54%

Statesboro is labeled as a classic college town. The Georgia Southern University is also located in the city. Statesboro offers a lower cost of living and safer surroundings, making it an appealing place to live. The city has secured the ninth position on our list of the 25 cities with highest young population in the US.

8. Ithaca, New York

Average age: 22.1 years

Percentage of population under 25: 59.10%

Ithaca boasts scenic beauty and is consistently voted among the most livable cities in the US in national polls.

7. Saratoga Springs, Utah

Average age: 22 years

Percentage of population under 25: 53.24%

Renowned for its scenic beauty and horse racing culture, Saratoga Springs is surrounded by multiple colleges, which contributes to its vibrant atmosphere.

6. Blacksburg, Virginia

Average age: 21.8 years

Percentage of population under 25: 64.56%

Blacksburg has plenty of outdoor activities to offer. Furthermore, the city offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average.

In addition to a low cost of living, the presence of notable companies such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL), and eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY), also result in young professionals moving into certain cities.