The new Census Bureau data released on Thursday shows that Utah still has the highest percentage of children in the nation, with 26.6% of the population under 18 in 2024. However, this number continues to shrink as the state’s population ages. Texas is in second place, narrowing the gap with Utah by 0.4 percentage points over the past year. Factors such as economic challenges, rising housing costs, and declining birth rates have contributed to this shift in demographics. The state’s declining birth rates began around the time of the Great Recession, leading to a decrease in the percentage of children in Utah. This has also resulted in challenges for local school districts, with multiple elementary schools closing in recent years due to enrollment challenges. Despite these challenges, Utah remains the youngest state in the nation, giving it time to navigate these changes. Demographers and experts are looking to other communities for strategies to address the impacts of an aging population and declining birth rates.
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