A new report from Edison Research shows the podcast audience among adults aged 55 and older has nearly doubled in the past two years, signaling a dramatic shift in how older Americans consume spoken-word audio. According to Edison’s latest “Share of Ear” study, monthly podcast listening in the 55+ demographic rose from 18% in 2022 to 33% in 2024.
The growth challenges longstanding assumptions that podcasting is primarily a younger person’s medium. While 18–34-year-olds still lead in overall podcast consumption, the sharp rise among older listeners indicates broader market penetration and new opportunities for advertisers and creators alike.
“This is not a fluke—it’s a fundamental shift,” said Megan Lazovick, Vice President at Edison Research. “Older listeners are not only trying podcasts, they’re coming back regularly.”
The study credits several factors for the boom: greater smartphone adoption among older adults, simpler podcast discovery tools, and more content geared toward mature audiences, such as retirement planning, history, health, and politics.
Streaming platforms and public media producers are taking notice. NPR, Wondery, and iHeartMedia have each launched shows in the past year targeting listeners over 50, and podcast apps have improved accessibility features such as larger text, voice controls, and simplified navigation.
Edison’s findings also reveal that older podcast listeners tend to be more loyal once they find shows they like, often listening to full episodes and subscribing to fewer—but more consistent—titles. This behavior contrasts with younger listeners, who are more likely to sample widely across genres and platforms.
Advertisers are responding accordingly. “The 55+ audience has disposable income, brand loyalty, and now measurable podcast engagement,” said Laura Williams, a media buyer for a national health care client. “That’s a rare combination.”
The study suggests continued growth ahead, noting that awareness and ease of access remain key to further adoption. Edison plans to release deeper age-segmented data in its fall update, which may offer even more insight into how the 55+ demographic is reshaping podcasting.
As Lazovick put it, “Podcasts have gone from earbuds in coffee shops to speakers in retirement homes. This is a big moment for audio.”