20 US Presidents Ranked by Age When They Took Office

Richard Nixon took the presidential oath on January 20, 1969, at age 56. Having previously served eight years as Dwight D. Eisenhower's vice president, he brought extensive foreign policy experience to the Oval Office.

Woodrow Wilson became the 28th president on March 4, 1913, at age 56. The former Princeton University president and New Jersey governor entered the White House just prior to the outbreak of World War I in Europe.

Andrew Johnson took the oath of office on April 15, 1865, hours after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre. At age 56, Johnson faced the monumental task of guiding the nation through post-Civil War Reconstruction.

George Washington was inaugurated as the first president on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City. At age 57, the retired Continental Army general established foundational presidential traditions that endure today.

John Quincy Adams was sworn in as the sixth president on March 4, 1825, at age 57. The son of John Adams, he served as a diplomat and secretary of state before entering the White House following the contested 1824 election.

Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as the third president on March 4, 1801, in the new capital of Washington, D.C. At age 57, the author of the Declaration of Independence oversaw the landmark 1803 Louisiana Purchase during his tenure.

James Madison took the oath on March 4, 1809, just twelve days before his 58th birthday. Known as the primary architect of the Constitution, Madison led the country through the War of 1812 during his two terms in office.

James Monroe assumed the presidency on March 4, 1817, at age 58. The last president of the Founding Father generation, he presided over an era of national unity and established the influential Monroe Doctrine in foreign policy.

Harry S. Truman was sworn in on April 12, 1945, following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. At age 60, the Missouri native took charge during the closing stages of World War II and made critical decisions that shaped the post-war order.

Gerald Ford took the presidential oath on August 9, 1974, at age 61 following Richard Nixon's resignation. Ford holds a unique place in history as the only person to serve as both vice president and president without being elected to either office.

John Adams was sworn in on March 4, 1797, at age 61. After serving eight years as George Washington's vice president, Adams became the first commander-in-chief to govern from the White House, moving into the unfinished building in late 1800.

Andrew Jackson took the oath of office on March 4, 1829, just eleven days before his 62nd birthday. The War of 1812 hero and populist leader rode a wave of popular support into Washington, fundamentally transforming the presidency.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated on January 20, 1953, at age 62. The five-star general and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe brought decades of military leadership to the Cold War era and championed the Interstate Highway System.

Zachary Taylor assumed the presidency on March 5, 1849, at age 64. A career military officer celebrated for his victories in the Mexican-American War, Taylor had never held political office or voted in a presidential election before his victory.

George H.W. Bush was inaugurated on January 20, 1989, at age 64. A former naval aviator, congressman, ambassador, and CIA director, Bush guided the United States through the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Gulf War.

James Buchanan was sworn in as the 15th president on March 4, 1857, at age 65. The veteran Pennsylvania diplomat struggled to maintain national stability as sectional tensions over slavery intensified during his turbulent term.

William Henry Harrison took office on March 4, 1841, at age 68, holding the record as the oldest president inaugurated for four decades. He delivered a two-hour inaugural address in freezing weather and passed away just 31 days later.

Ronald Reagan was sworn in on January 20, 1981, just days before his 70th birthday. The former California governor broke William Henry Harrison's long-standing record and went on to serve two full terms, leaving office at age 77.

Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president on January 20, 2021, at age 78. A seasoned politician with 36 years in the Senate and eight years as vice president, Biden surpassed Ronald Reagan's mark by nearly a full decade.

Donald Trump became the oldest person to assume the presidency on January 20, 2025, taking the oath at 78 years and 220 days. Having previously served from 2017 to 2021, Trump returned to the White House following a historic non-consecutive victory.