The Graying of America and What It Means for Northern Kentucky
You may have heard the phrase “the graying of America.” It refers to the nation’s rapidly aging population—and the trend is accelerating. Just last month, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 11 states and more than half of all U.S. counties, especially rural ones, senior citizens (ages 65 and older) now outnumber children (under age 18).
The 11 states where this demographic shift is most pronounced are Maine, Vermont, Florida, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. In these states, children make up just 17.7% to 20.5% of the population, while seniors account for 19.4% to 23%.
Closer to home, Kentucky and Ohio are only slightly younger. In Kentucky, 22.6% of residents are under 18, while 17.03% are 65 or older. In Ohio, those numbers are 22.16% and 17.85%, respectively.
This aging trend signals a serious workforce challenge. By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be 65 or older and largely retired, leaving a significant gap in the labor force. While artificial intelligence (AI) will step in to fill some roles, it will also create new ones, meaning the overall demand for skilled workers isn’t going away.
These demographic and technological realities have influenced NKY Works’ strategic objectives. We know that every potential worker matters to our region’s economic prosperity. That’s why our work includes focusing on the following strategies:
1. Investing in Early Childhood Education
All Kentucky children deserve a strong start, including our preschool population. This means we need to attract and prepare more child care workers and help families as they seek the ideal option for their children.
2. Welcoming Legal Immigrants
In the past decade, immigration has driven much of Kentucky’s population growth. We’re working to support newcomers by helping them settle in Northern Kentucky and find employment that matches their skills and aspirations while meeting employer demand.
3. Retaining Our Young Talent
We want to keep our students here after high school and college graduation. That means showing them the exciting, well-paying careers available right in their own backyard. That’s why we are actively working with local employers to increase the number of work-based learning opportunities for students at all levels, from elementary school through college.
4. Attracting College Graduates
In addition to retaining local students, we also aim to attract graduates from institutions outside of Northern Kentucky. Stay tuned for details about several exciting career-based symposiums for college-aged students to take place over the coming year. These events will connect them to businesses and enable them to explore why this region is a great place to launch a career.
5. Engaging Every Adult in the Workforce
With a workforce participation rate of 65.7%, Northern Kentucky is ahead of state and national averages, but there’s still room to improve. Many adults remain on the sidelines due to challenges such as recovery from substance use disorder, caregiving responsibilities, or lack of training and career guidance. We continue to prioritize services like job training, transportation assistance, and employer connections to support them in entering or reentering the workforce.
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We remain committed to working alongside local employers to meet today’s workforce challenges—and to build a stronger, more resilient Northern Kentucky for the future. If your company is experiencing workforce challenges, contact us at 859.657.WRKS (9757) or NKYWorks@NKADD.org. We will connect you with resources to address your unique needs.