by Calculated Risk on 8/14/2014 04:30:00 PM

Repeat: Here are graphs of the U.S population by age and distribution, from 1900 through 2060. The population data and estimates are from the Census Bureau (actual through 2010 and projections through 2060).

There are many interesting points - the Depression baby bust (that started before the Depression), the baby boom, the 2nd smaller baby bust following the baby boom, the "echo" boom" and more.

What jumps out at me are the improvements in health care ... and also that the largest cohorts will all soon be under 40.

Notes: For animation, population is in thousands (not labeled)! Prior to 1940, the oldest group in the Census data was "75+".  From 1940 through 1985, the oldest group was "85+".  Starting in 1990, the oldest group is 100+.

Reader Druce put together the graphic below of the U.S population distribution, by age, from 1900 through 2060 using a slider. In 1900, the graph was fairly steep, but with improving health care, the graph has flattened out over the last 100 years.