Number of Births Decline in Oakland County, While Age of Women Giving Birth Increases

(Kurt Metzger, Aug. 25, 2025)

Oakland County, MI – Women are having children later in life and there are numerous contributing factors to modern-day delays in parenthood.

One such influence is the advent of a newly recognized life stage coined “emerging adulthood,” in which Americans aged 18-25 are less likely to couple up and settle down and more likely to focus on social circles, identities, education, experimentation, and travel. For many in this group, building a family may lack urgency or carry less importance overall.

The professional landscape has changed, too. Women are attending and graduating from college at higher rates than men, and their workforce participation has grown substantially since the 1970s. As women focus on building their careers and enjoying other interests, they are more likely to put off having children — if they plan to have kids at all.

Research also shows that women with college degrees tend to have children later in life than the average, according to the Pew Research Center.

Another factor driving older ages of pregnancy is a major decline in teen parenthood. The prevalence of sex education and birth control has helped bring down the rate of unintended or unplanned pregnancies, particularly among teens.

A quick look at the changing ages of birth mothers in Michigan and Oakland County confirms these trends. The chart below compares the percent of births by mother’s age between 2001 (the earliest year that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides detailed age data) and 2024 (data just released).

Here is a quick summary of the finding by age cohort.

Total Births – Michigan births have fallen by 27%/Oakland births are down 23%.
15-19 years – There has been good news in the reduction of teen births. Their share in MI decreased from 10.1 to 3.3%, while Oakland County’s went from 5.0 to 1.3%.
20-24 years – This cohort experienced the largest decrease in share for both, dropping by 8.1 percentage points in MI and 6.4 in Oakland. Their share of total births is more than double that of Oakland – 16.1 vs. 7.6 percent.
25 to 29 years – This cohort showed the smallest change (except for 40+). However, while increasing statewide, it decreased in Oakland.
30-34 years – This cohort experienced the largest increase in share for both, rising by 7.7 percentage points in MI and 6.3 in Oakland. Their share of total births in Oakland County is now 40.5 percent (32.5 in state).
35-39 years – While increasing shares were experienced universally, Oakland County’s 2024 share was well above the state average – 22.3 vs. 15.5 percent, respectively.
40 years+ – Slight increases, though shares remain below 5 percent.

For more stories about the Census and other interesting numbers, visit the Data-Base Stories Archives on Oakland County Times. Thanks to Data Expert Kurt Metzger for this work!

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