Updated (12/08/30-9:30 A.M.) with 65-plus age group by county data.

By Greg Kendall

The 2010 federal census shows that Los Alamos is lacking in its level of 20 to 34 year olds compared to the rest of the United States and has an abundance of 35 to 49 year olds and 50 to 64 year olds.

With a County population of 17,950 in 2010, Los Alamos was ranked against 3,141 counties and Independent Cities (IC) across the nation. (A higher ranking means a larger percentage of population in an age grouping.)

According to the Commerce Department, 20 to 34 year olds constitute 20.3 percent of the U.S. population, or slightly more than two out of 10 Americans. In Los Alamos, there are nearly half that percent of 20 to 30 year olds, with slightly more than one in 10 in this age group.

In Los Alamos, 20 to 34 year olds comprise 12.32 percent of the poplation, ranking it low at 2,987 out of 3,141 counties and ICs in the country. 

Only three counties in New Mexico have a lower percentage of 20 to 34 year olds: Harding at 9.50 percent; Catron at 9.77 percent and Sierra at 10,76 percent. 

Only 154 of the 3,141 counties and ICs in U.S. have a lower percentage of young adults in this age group.

At 20.32 percent, Los Alamos does better in the 5 to19 year old age group, ranking 1,307 out of 3,141 in the country, close to the nationwide average of 20.4 percent.

The 0 to 4 year olds in Los Alamos make up 5.35 percent. The nationwide average is 6.5 percent. In this age group, Los Alamos ranks at 2,529 out of 3,141 in the country.

The 35 to 49 year old age group in Los Alamos makes up 22.2 percent. The nationwide average for that group is 20.7 percent, which ranks the local population at 328 out of 3,141 for a higher than average population in this age group. Los Alamos County has the highest percentage of 35 to 49 year olds of all New Mexico counties.

In Los Alamos, 50 to 64 year olds comprise 25.03 percent. The national average is 19 percent. Los Alamos ranks 200 out of 3,141 for a higher than average population in this age group. 

Los Alamos County has the seventh highest percent of 50 to 64 year olds in New Mexico. Western states including New Mexico, tend to have a higher percentage of population in this age grouping, according to the report.

The 65 to 79 “Senior Citizens” group in Los Alamos makes up 10.57 percent.  The nationwide average for that group is 9.4 percent.  Los Alamos ranks 1,932 out of 3,141, a little higher population than the average county in this group.

The 80 and older “Super Seniors” group in Los Alamos makes up 4.39 percent.  The nationwide average for that group is 3.6 percent. Los Alamos ranks 1,295 out of 3,141, again a little higher than the average U.S. county.

Search the 0 to 19 year olds database HERE.

Search the 20 to 34 year olds database HERE.

Search the 35 to 64 year olds database HERE.

Search the 65-Plus database HERE.

For more information on nationwide age group trends, see G. Scotts Thomas’s series of articles found in “The Business Journals.”