How Old is 68?

Marist National Poll

The tide is (finally) turning for the director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.

Although a narrow plurality of Americans still describe Dr. Lee M. Miringoff’s age this year as middle-age, the proportion who consider his age to be old is the highest it has ever been. 48% of Americans, less than a majority for the first time, report 68 years of age is middle-aged while 46% say it is old. Only six percent consider Dr. Miringoff’s age to be young.

When Dr. Miringoff celebrated his 67th birthday last year, 53% thought his age was middle-aged. 40% considered 67 to be old, and 6% described it as young.

Members of Gen Z and Millennials drive these results. 62% of these Americans say 68 years of age is old compared with 19% of those over 72 who share this view. Among Americans 45 or older, more than half (56%) think Dr. Miringoff’s age is middle-age. There has, though, been an increase in the proportion of Americans 45 years of age or older who perceive 68 to be old compared with 67. 34% up from 27%.

A marked gender gap exists. While 59% of women believe 68 is middle-age, 57% of men say it is old. Opinion among women is little changed from last year. Men divided in 2018. At that time, 49% of men said 67 years of age was old. 45% thought it was middle-age.

Complete May 3, 2019 Marist Poll Release of the United States

Complete May 3, 2019 Marist Poll of the United States (Tables of Adults)

Marist Poll Methodology

Nature of the Sample