The United States has about 77,000 people aged 100 or older in 2026, the second-largest centenarian population in the world after Japan, and nearly 80% of them are women, according to demographer Joseph Chamie writing for Inter Press Service. States are marking the trend too: Montana honored its centenarians at the Governor's Conference on Aging on October 7, 2026.
Living to 100 used to make the local paper. Today it's becoming a family milestone that many Americans can realistically plan for. The number of people reaching their late 90s and beyond keeps climbing, and families are responding with bigger, more intentional celebrations.
What's trending
There are about 672,000 centenarians worldwide in 2026, roughly 45 times more than the 15,000 alive in 1950, according to demographer Joseph Chamie, a former director of the UN Population Division, writing for Inter Press Service. The United States has about 77,000 of them, the second-largest total after Japan. Chamie notes that women made up nearly 80% of American centenarians in 2024, and he projects about 2.6 million centenarians worldwide by 2050.
States are taking notice. Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services honored its centenarians at a luncheon during the 57th annual Governor's Conference on Aging in Kalispell on October 7, 2026, according to the department. Honorees received a recognition certificate from Governor Greg Gianforte and had their stories included in a centenarian booklet.
Why it's resonating
Behind every number is a family deciding how to mark the milestone. Because more people are reaching their 90s in good enough health to enjoy a party, the 90th, 95th and 100th have become reunion-sized occasions. Relatives travel in from other states, old friends are tracked down, and four generations end up in one room.
The gender gap shapes those parties too. With women making up the large majority of the oldest Americans, the guest of honor at a 95th or 100th is most often Mom, Grandma or a great-grandmother. That's why gatherings like afternoon teas, luncheons and family open houses have become the default formats: early in the day, comfortable and focused on her.
Planning for a milestone more families now get to celebrate
Big milestones need a bit more lead time than a typical birthday. Invitations usually go out 4–6 weeks ahead so out-of-town family can travel and older guests can arrange a ride, and many families send them two ways: printed cards for Grandma's friends and a texted version for the grandkids. A design made for the occasion, such as this navy watercolor 95th birthday invitation for women, comes in both formats, and the wording and age can be edited for a 90th or 100th as well.
The bottom line
America's oldest generation is growing, and it's mostly women. As more families get to celebrate a 95th or 100th birthday, these milestones are becoming some of the most meaningful parties on the family calendar.