Population Projections Show That Virginia Is Aging

The University of Virginia's (UVA's) latest round of 2020-2040 population projections for the state of Virginia and its localities predicts the population of 65 and older residents will rise from 12 percent in 2010 to 18 percent in 2030, reports UVA Today . This growth will be driven by two factors: aging baby boomers and declining birth rates. More than 15 percent of Virginians are expected to be 65 years or older by next year. In rural regions such as Lancaster, Northumberland, Middlesex, Highland, and James City counties, more than 30 percent of residents are forecast to be older than 65 by then. "In spite of the future being inherently uncertain, these projections provide a probable population landscape for Virginia and are valuable for planning," said UVA's Qian Cai.