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(The table presented here is a reprint of table 52 from Final Report PC(1)-B1,General Population Characteristics, United States Summary, which contains additional summary information on general characteristics of the population as well as more detailed technical explanations)
The population of the United States was, on the average, nearly 1 1/2 years younger in 1970 than it had been in 1960. The median age of the population in 1960 was 29.5 years but by 1970 had dropped to 28.1 years. This decrease in average age occurred despite the downward trend in fertility in the past decade which reduced the population under 10 years old from 22 to 18 percent of the total population. There were sufficiently large compensatory gains at the next youngest age intervals to lower the median age, An examination of the change in age structure during the decade, however, suggests that the median has remained relatively constant since 1967.
Census statistics date back to 1790 and reflect the growth and change of the United States. Past census reports contain some terms that today’s readers may consider obsolete and inappropriate. As part of our goal to be open and transparent with the public, we are improving access to all Census Bureau original publications and statistics, which serve as a guide to the nation's history.
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