It’s still a fact in 2026 that New Hampshire has the second oldest population in the United States — 43.4 median age — tied with Vermont and topped only by Maine. Most senior citizens in New Hampshire say it’s a great place to retire. But it depends on life’s circumstances.
What does the older adult landscape in New Hampshire look like? A number of organizations keep track of it, most often by the numbers. Let’s take a look at some eye-opening stats, and then a few predictions at the end of this column.
Fred Kocher
New Hampshire’s aging population is growing.
Nearly one in five New Hampshire residents is age 65 or older. Put another way, at last count there were 368,151 people in New Hampshire age 60+ which outnumbers children in the state — one of 11 such states, says the New Hampshire State Commission on Aging.
The largest population cohort since 2023 are adults aged 50 to 69 according to the U.S. Census. And it’s growing. Since 2019 New Hampshire’s older population has grown by 66,000 people, according to the 2025 New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report by the University of Massachusetts. At the moment, 47% of households in the state have one or more persons aged 60 or older, says the NH State Commission on Aging.
New Hampshire’s older population is also changing.
The older population is more educated. 56%+ have a high school degree or some college, and 16% have a graduate or professional degree, per the same Healthy Aging Report. And the older population is more diverse. The number of older Hispanic, Asian and African American citizens in the population has increased between 1% to 3%.
New Hampshire’s older population health is both good and challenging.
There’ve been increases in the rates of arthritis, heart attacks, depression and inpatient hospital readmissions. At the same time, there’s been a decline in rates of heart disease, colon cancer, stroke, diabetes COPD and Alzheimer’s — all of this from an analysis of Medicare data in the 2025 New Hampshire Healthy Aging Report.
New Hampshire older adults are seeing Medicare and Medicaid change.
As of 2026, Anthem and Martin’s Point no longer participate in New Hampshire’s Medicare Advantage program, while Aetna reduced its Medicare Advantage offerings in several counties. In total, it’s reportedly affected some 77,000 state residents over 65, according to Best Wire which tracks insurance issues. And, Medicaid rules have changed this year with new work requirements and more frequent renewals.
New Hampshire has an older citizen workforce.
About 31% of the state’s workforce is age 55 and older, with more than 9% age 65+, reports the New Hampshire State Commission on Aging. This is of concern to most business sectors in the state as older employees retire without enough younger employees taking their place. This is particularly the case in manufacturing. In seven years, older workers will account for 57% of labor force growth in the state, says the U,S .Bureau of Labor Statistics. That has business leaders concerned.
New Hampshire’s older citizens need affordable housing.
Seniors in New Hampshire on fixed incomes face rising housing costs like the rest of us, and there aren’t enough affordable options to purchase or rent. NH Housing says restrictive local zoning laws have made it harder to add new units, especially for seniors. However, the Legislature just passed laws that make it possible to add extra housing units onto existing residential and commercial buildings — something farming communities used to do a century ago.
Many New Hampshire older adults live alone.
The 2025 New Hampshire Health Aging Data Report shows that 25% of adults aged 65 and older live alone, mostly in rural areas, which too often leads to social isolation, loneliness, unnoticed medical issues such as mental illness and poor nutrition. Christina FitzPatrick, state director of AARP, told the Concord Monitor we need communities that enhance personal independence as well as community engagement that can help combat social isolation, such as libraries serving as hubs for connections.
New Hampshire’s older adults need more transportation.
You’re a senior who doesn’t drive anymore, there’s no bus service nearby, a taxi is too expensive, you need assistance, or you’re disabled. A new report titled “Getting There Together” from the New Hampshire Commission on Aging is the first statewide action plan proposing coordinated transportation solutions for older adults, those with disabilities, veterans, caregivers and rural families. It was created from surveys, focus groups and public forums. It found that transportation is key to aging in place. It also found that healthcare appointments are missed due to gaps in transportation, and that rural areas experience the largest gap in transportation. Solutions? Several are proposed, but a couple of them immediately serve the purpose: a centralized resource hub website and phone number with mobility management follow-through, and investments in volunteer driver programs.
New Hampshire predictions for older adults and workforce.
Given the current aging landscape in New Hampshire, the working age population of those aged 15 to 64 is expected to decrease by 2050. The percentage of population over the age of 65 is expected to continue to increase until 2050. The source for these predictions is the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. At the same time, the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute says the implications of these demographic trends are fewer working adults available for the state’s workforce, and care for older adults will likely require additional investments.
New Hampshire’s goals for an older population.
There’s a 10-year blueprint for restructuring state policies to address the needs of an older population. It’s called AgeWellNH and was created by the New Hampshire State Commission On Aging last year. It calls on the state’s leadership for creation of a unified vision that promotes healthy aging, independent living, social engagement, and tackling issues of transportation, housing, cost of living and more.
Fred Kocher’s is the host of NH’s Business on WMUR. He writes “It’s Worth Knowing” monthly for NH Business Review.
It's still a fact in 2026 that New Hampshire has the second oldest population in the United States — 43.4 median age — tied with Vermont and topped only by Maine. Most senior citizens in New Hampshire say it's a great place to retire. But it depends on life's circumstances.
After years of building a business, it is common for owners to seek an exit strategy that preserves the culture and rewards the employees who helped make the business successful. An employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP, is one way to accomplish that goal.
SB 482, which goes into effect in December, sets a daily conversion limit of $2,000 per digital transaction kiosks.
Bedford-based Primary Bank is merging with Easthampton, Mass.-based Hometown Financial Group in a transaction valued at $160 million in cash and stock.
5 tips for creating an estate plan that reflects all of your legacy
As we close out Q2 and review the year so far, there are several interesting dynamics at play.
As Service Credit Union (SCU) seeks a new chapter of federal bankruptcy for an unfinished senior living campus in Littleton, it filed a lawsuit in state court last month against the owners and lenders, whom it accuses of coordinated fraud and embezzlement involving a $30 million SCU construction loan.
Whether you are planning for long-term growth, managing income needs, or preparing the next generation, wealth management often involves balancing multiple priorities.
At Blueline Advisors in Exeter, chief investment officer Frank Sabin is embracing AI, with the help of the students, to better serve his clients, who have entrusted about $250 million in assets in his care.
