Posted on: Friday, May 11, 2001

Baby boomers help push up median age

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- America aged a bit in the 1990s.

The median age of the U.S. population rose to 35.3 years in 2000, the latest census found. It was up from 32.8 in 1990, but down slightly from a 1999 estimate of 35.5.

Demographers have long predicted the overall graying of the population because of the aging of the baby boom generation.

The baby boomers, at the time of their birth the largest generation in American history, last year celebrated birthdays ranging from 36 to 54.

The median age information was found in a report being released yesterday on the nation's Hispanic population.

Overall, that minority group tended to be younger: the median age for Hispanics was 25.9.

Mexicans were among the youngest, with a median age of 24.2, along with Puerto Ricans at 27.3. Cubans were among the oldest, with a median age of 40.7.

In March, the bureau gave age breakdowns of the population in four general categories: under 18, 18 to 29, 30 to 49 and over 50. It found that four out of five Americans 50 and older -- 61.8 million people -- classified themselves as white only and not Hispanic.

Other median ages for Hispanic groups released yesterday: Dominicans, 29.5 years; South Americans, 33.1; Spaniards, 36.4; and all other Hispanics, 24.7.