Census: Dakotans Getting Younger

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — While the rest of the nation ages, North Dakota is getting younger.

The Forum newspaper reports that an analysis of 2012 U.S. Census population estimates found that North Dakota has the largest proportion of 20- to 24-year-olds in the nation — more than 9 percent of the population. State census office manager Kevin Iverson says North Dakota's median age also has dropped from 37 to 36.1 in just two years — an enormous drop for such a short time window.

Experts say the data is more evidence of how much the state's economy has grown, driven by high farm commodity prices and the western oil boom.

Iverson says it's a lot easier for young people to go where the jobs are.