Study: Kansas Elderly Population To Double, Outnumber Children

<p>A Wichita State University study projects the number of Kansans older than 65 will double in the next 50 years and outnumber children for the first time in state history.&nbsp;</p>

Wednesday, February 3rd 2016, 12:39 pm

By: News On 6


A Wichita State University study projects the number of Kansans older than 65 will double in the next 50 years and outnumber children for the first time in state history.

The forecast released Wednesday by WSU's Center for Economic Development and Business Research also projects a 21.8 percent increase between 2014 and 2064 as the Kansas population reaches more than 3.5 million people. That is slower than the growth rate for the nation.

The biggest social and economic impact may come from projections that the state's working age population is projected to increase only 10.3 percent.

Only 20 of the state's 105 counties are projected grow in population.  Most of those counties are in the northeast part of the state near Topeka and Kansas City. The remaining 85 counties, including Chautauqua and Montgomery counties will see declines by 2064.  

More than 80 percent of Kansas residents will be living in metropolitan areas by 2064.

Most of the gains in the working age population are forecast for the eastern portion of the state, while the western portion is expected to have a substantial decline in the working age population. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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