Pennsylvania is among states grappling with a quietly growing population of people who have reached 100 years of age, a shift underscored by the 2020 Census and echoed in state health records. Nationwide the 2020 Census counted roughly 80,100 centenarians — about 2.4 individuals per 10,000 residents — and demographers say the pattern is visible in Pennsylvania’s cities and rural counties alike.

The national figures show another notable development: the centenarian cohort is slightly more racially diverse than a decade earlier. In 2010, those describing themselves as “white alone” accounted for 82.5 percent of people 100 and over; by 2020 that share had fallen to 74.6 percent. Pennsylvania’s changing demographics mirror that mix, and local officials say services are being tested by both growth in numbers and by differing cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic needs among older residents.

“The headline — more people reaching 100 — is a public-health success story,” said a gerontology researcher at a Pennsylvania university. “But a growing and more diverse oldest-old population also means we must rethink caregiving, housing, and community supports so they’re equitable and sustainable.”

Policy planners in Harrisburg and county offices around the state are already seeing practical effects. Home- and community-based services that enabled many older Pennsylvanians to age in place before turning 100 are strained by workforce shortages and rising demand. Long-term care facilities continue to play a role, but officials emphasize that centenarians’ preferences and care needs vary widely — from intermittent medical support to full-time skilled nursing — and preparing for those differences requires investments now.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Health said the state uses census and vital statistics to inform programs for older adults, including home care and population health initiatives, and is coordinating with local health departments to identify service gaps. “As people live longer, we need to ensure access to culturally competent care, rehabilitation and social supports that prevent isolation and preserve quality of life,” the spokesperson added.

Public-health experts point to several drivers behind increased longevity: better control of chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke, advances in acute medical care, declines in smoking rates, and decades of public-health improvements. Yet longevity gains have not been uniform. Income, education, race and geography continue to shape who reaches advanced ages and under what conditions they live once there.

Advocates for older adults urge that planning go beyond medical care to include transportation, affordable accessible housing, and workforce development in caregiving fields. They warn that if services lag, the fiscal and human costs could be steep, especially in rural counties where the population is older and services scarcer.

Demographers say the 2020 Census snapshot will be refined by upcoming American Community Survey data and local registries, which can better capture the lived experiences of centenarians. For policymakers, those detailed data will be crucial to design interventions that allow people not just to live longer, but to live well. As one county official summarized, “Living to 100 is something to celebrate — but it also challenges communities to celebrate with meaningful support.”