Lila Valencia, Austin's city demographer since 2021, said more than a quarter of the city's residents are expected to be 65 or older by 2060. She said Austin is aging quickly even though its overall population is relatively young. Austin's median age is a little under 35, compared with about 36 for Texas and about 40 nationally.
By 2060, seniors are expected to make up 28.4% of Austin's population, compared with an estimated 21.7% for Texas. Valencia said this puts both Texas and Austin in what demographers call a "super-aged society." Demographers expect effects on the workforce, healthcare demand and housing needs.
According to city data, most Austin seniors live with a spouse, and the second-largest group lives alone. Jake Wegmann, an associate professor in the School of Architecture at UT Austin, said a preference for single-family homes could add pressure on the housing market. He said many of those homes are in car-dependent areas, where older residents may have to choose between driving, which could be dangerous, and giving up their keys, which could increase isolation.