This is how the average age of Eagle Scouts in 2017 compared to previous years

After five years of steady increases, the average age of Eagle Scouts fell in 2017.

It’s now at 17.21 years — or 17 years, 2 months and 15 days. That’s the lowest mark since at least 2009, the first year for which detailed Eagle Scout statistics were made available to me.

What caused the average to drop by nearly two months? Does this reflect any type of change in your troop? I welcome your comments.

Average age of Eagle Scouts, 2009 to 2017

Year Average Age Year/Month/Day Equivalent
2009 17.32 17 years, 3 months, 27 days
2010 17.24 17 years, 2 months, 28 days
2011 17.32 17 years, 3 months, 26 days
2012 17.23 17 years, 2 months, 23 days
2013 17.24 17 years, 2 months, 26 days
2014 17.31 17 years, 3 months, 22 days
2015 17.34 17 years, 4 months, 2 days
2016 17.35 17 years, 4 months, 6 days
2017 17.21 17 years, 2 months, 15 days

Note: The year/month/day equivalent was calculated using a 365.25-day year. 

Average age by region

Eagle Scouts tend to be slightly younger than average in the Southern and Western Regions. In the Northeast and Central Regions, they’re slightly older than average.

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Western 16.99 17.03 17.06 17.08 17.05
Southern 17.18 17.29 17.34 17.31 16.88
Central 17.28 17.36 17.38 17.45 17.36
Northeast 17.50 17.56 17.57 17.55 17.53
Total 17.24 17.31 17.34 17.35 17.21

For more Eagle Scout Class of 2017 stats, click here.


Hat tip: Thanks to the BSA’s Mike Lo Vecchio for the data.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.