Spotlight: Older Adults in Rural Communities

Rural communities exist across the country, and tend to be older,

on average, than metropolitan communities. The percentage of the older adult population living in rural areas varies significantly between states. However, even in states where a relatively low percentage of older adults live in rural areas, there may still be significant rural older adult populations. For example, California has the ninth-largest rural older adult population, representing more than 500,000 people, despite having the second-lowest rate (7.7%) of any state. Similarly, 15.2% of older adults in New York live in rural areas, equivalent to more than 570,000 people. It is therefore critical that state and local leaders understand the health needs of their rural older adult population.

The data show recent bright spots for older adults living in rural (nonmetropolitan) areas. For example, in 2024:

Nationwide differences persist between older adults living in rural versus metropolitan areas. In 2024, those living in rural areas had higher rates of cigarette smoking than those in metropolitan areas (10.7% vs. 7.8% of adults age 65 and older). While physical inactivity improved 20% for rural older adults between 2023 and 2024 (from 37.2% to 29.7% of adults age 65 and older in fair or better health), inactivity remained more common among those living in rural areas than those in metropolitan areas (25.7%) in 2024.