New Research Shows That the Population of Maine Is Getting Older

The population in Maine is turning a little gray, as a new report indicates that the state’s population is getting older.

According to recent census data, Maine residents 44-years-of-age and older skyrocketed by nearly 123,000 people just over the past decade, while the number of those under 45 dropped by almost 70,000. What this means is that the baby boomer generation paints the majority of the state’s demographic landscape, and because of this there will be fewer people to fill the demands of the labor market in the coming future.

"An aging, slowly growing population and the declining rate of residents participating in the labor force will result in slow labor force growth during the coming years," according to the State Labor Department.

Over the past two years, there has been a significant decline in younger workers in Maine, with the overall labor force rapidly growing older. It is predicted that with the current demographic progression, at least 40 percent of the workforce will be over the age of 65 within the next 20 years.

"No county will escape the demographic challenge posed by the aging workforce. Even in Cumberland County, which has the youngest workforce, 22 percent are 55 years of age or older and 46 percent are 45 or older," says the report.

As it stands, Maine is now tied with Vermont for having the lowest percentage of 18 year olds – 20.7 percent – with baby boomers making up nearly 30 percent.