Top U.S. Cities at Risk for Senior Heat Stroke

As temperatures across the U.S. rise, so do the risks of heat stroke, especially for our senior loved ones. During the summer months, older adults are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of extreme heat. This article examines the dangers of heat stroke for seniors across the United States, analyzing weather forecasts and elderly population percentages to assess the most at-risk areas. Knowing where seniors face the greatest threats from heat stroke can help you ensure their well-being during the hottest months of the year.

Key Takeaways

• Scottsdale, Arizona; Henderson, Nevada; and Mesa, Arizona, are the cities with the highest risk of senior heat stroke. 

• Of the 100 most populous cities in the U.S., Scottsdale, Arizona (34.9%); Port St. Lucie, Florida (29.1%); and St. Petersburg, Florida (28.6%) have the highest percentage of residents over the age of 60.

• The highest forecasted average maximum temperatures are in Fresno, California (104.6°F); Tucson, Arizona (104.6°F); and Stockton, California (102.7°F).

Of the 100 most populous cities in the U.S.…

Top 10 Cities With the Most Seniors at High Risk of Heat Stroke:

1. Scottsdale, Arizona

2. Henderson, Nevada

3. Mesa, Arizona

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

5. St. Petersburg, Florida

6. Glendale, Arizona

7. Port St. Lucie, Florida

8. Tucson, Arizona

9. Chandler, Arizona

10. Phoenix, Arizona

Top 5 Cities With the Highest Percentage of Residents Over Age 60:

1. Scottsdale, Arizona: 34.9%

2. Port St. Lucie, Florida: 29.1%

3. St. Petersburg, Florida: 28.6%

4. Henderson, Nevada: 28.4%

5. Honolulu, Hawaii: 28.2%

Top 5 Cities With the Highest Past Summer Average Maximum Temperature:

1. Gilbert, Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona; Chandler, Arizona; Glendale, Arizona; Mesa, Arizona; Scottsdale, Arizona (tie: 102.1°F)

2. Laredo, Texas (99.8°F)

3. Tucson, Arizona (98.3°F)

4. North Las Vegas, Nevada; Las Vegas, Nevada; Henderson, Nevada (tie: 97.6°F)

5. Bakersfield, California; El Paso, Texas (tie: 95.2°F)

Top 5 Cities With the Highest Forecasted Average Maximum Temperature

1. Fresno, California; Tucson, Arizona (tie: 104.6°F)

2. Stockton, California (102.7°F)

3. Sacramento, California (101.1°F)

4. Riverside, California (98.6°F)

5. Wichita, Kansas (97.9°F)

Methodology

For this study, we used Open-Mateo to gather past summer maximum temperatures and forecasted maximum temperatures for the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. Past maximum temperatures used were from 5/1/2023 to 9/30/2023 and 5/1/2024 to 6/16/2024. Forecasted maximum temperatures used were from 6/18/2024 to 7/3/2024. We also used U.S Census Bureau data to gather age demographics for the 100 most populous cities in the U.S.

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