American Suburbia Is Turning Gray

The suburbs aren't the magnet for young families they used to be: Census figures show that 40% of residents are 45 or older, a big jump from 34% a decade ago, reports the Washington Post. That compares with 34% of city residents currently in the same age group. The reason? People are moving to the 'burbs and staying put, even in retirement, a demographic shift that could have big consequences.

Communities built to cater to parents with young kids will now have to make sure they can accommodate retirees. And elected officials will have to take note: “When people think of suburban voters, it’s going to be different than it was years ago,” a demographer from the Brookings Institution tells the Post. “They used to be people worried about schools and kids. Now they’re more concerned about their own well-being.” (More suburbs stories.)