Sunday, September 22nd. The average age of the American population is on a steady climb, and the national median is 38 years. It’s nearly 39.5 for women. As people grow older, many tend to become a little vague about their exact age. After about age 85, though, they tend to become proud of their longevity.
Not too many years ago, someone who had lived to be 100 was a true rarity. Even today, those reaching 100 are contacted by the White House, and often the national and local media. Now, generations of good nutrition and medical care are paying off, and the picture has changed.
On this National Centenarians Day, there are around 72,000 Americans age 100 or over, the great majority of them women. In 1980, that population was 32,000.
Profile America is in its 23rd year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online.
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