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Rural Aging and Extreme Weather
Older adults living in rural areas face unique challenges as climate change intensifies. Those over 60 are especially vulnerable to climate hazards, including heat, disasters, poor air quality, forced displacement, and disruptions in power, water, and food supply. The risks are greater in rural, agricultural areas due to health disparities.
Key Points
- Rural counties have a higher proportion of adults aged 65+ than urban areas
- Transportation and mobility barriers make evacuation and access to care more difficult
- Rural older adults are more likely to live in homes vulnerable to weather extremes and energy insecurity
Why are Rural Older Adults at Greater Risk?
Rural regions are home to some of the oldest populations in the U.S., yet often have limited infrastructure, healthcare access, and emergency response systems. These factors, combined with social isolation and long distances to services, make climate resilience especially urgent in these communities.
Rural older adults also have higher rates poverty and disability, are more likely to live alone. Rural older adults may also live in aging housing stock with limited insulation or outdated HVAC systems, which increases their risk during extreme heat or cold events. Power outages can leave medically vulnerable individuals without electricity for oxygen machines, refrigerators for medications, or even running water from well pumps. For those without transportation or social support networks, evacuation or access to emergency resources can be nearly impossible.
Older Farmers and Farming Families
Climate change also presents critical challenges for older adults and their families working in agriculture. A third of U.S. farmers are over 65, and the average farmer is 58. Farming is already physically demanding—and climate change increases risks from heat exposure, crop failure, and extreme weather.
Older farmers may experience:
- Increased risk of heat exhaustion or stroke
- Greater exposure to hazardous air quality and chemicals
- Economic stress due to crop loss, equipment damage, or supply chain disruption
At the same time, many younger farmers today are also caring for aging family members, while balancing agricultural and caregiving responsibilities. This dual burden can be intensified with climate-related disruptions.
For more information
Climate Change and the Health of Socially Vulnerable People | EPA
Rural Older People, Climate Change and Disasters
Rural Older Adults in Disasters: A Study of Recovery From Hurricane Michael