A few weeks ago, a new ranking was published measuring “opportunity” on a state-by-state basis. Vermont came out on top as the friendliest state for upward mobility, scoring well on both the Community and Education metrics.

Someone from Vermont e-mailed us here at the Kauffman Foundation, wondering how this could be in light of Vermont’s demographics. And indeed, the state’s demographic direction does not scream opportunity. By median age, Vermont is four years older than the nation as a whole. Today, residents over the age of 65 comprise 15 percent of the population—by 2030, it will be 20 percent and rising

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