Youngest Supreme Court justice is a title that currently belongs to Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who, as of February 20, 2026, remains the youngest sitting member of the United States Supreme Court. Born on January 28, 1972, Barrett is 54 years old and continues to serve as an associate justice after her confirmation in October 2020.
The composition of the Supreme Court has not changed since Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson joined the bench in June 2022. As of today, the Court consists of nine justices, with Barrett being the youngest among them by date of birth.
Here is a detailed look at who holds the distinction, how the current Court compares by age, and what the title means in a historical context.
Table of Contents
Who Is the Youngest Supreme Court Justice Today?
Justice Amy Coney Barrett is the youngest Supreme Court justice currently serving.
Key facts:
- Full Name: Amy Vivian Coney Barrett
- Date of Birth: January 28, 1972
- Age (as of February 20, 2026): 54
- Nominated by: President Donald Trump
- Confirmed: October 26, 2020
- Sworn in: October 27, 2020
Barrett replaced Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg following Ginsburg’s death in September 2020.
At the time of her confirmation, Barrett was 48 years old. That made her one of the youngest nominees confirmed in modern Supreme Court history.
Current Ages of All Sitting Supreme Court Justices (2026)
As of February 20, 2026, the ages of the nine justices are as follows:
| Justice | Date of Birth | Age (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Amy Coney Barrett | Jan 28, 1972 | 54 |
| Ketanji Brown Jackson | Sept 14, 1970 | 55 |
| Neil Gorsuch | Aug 29, 1967 | 58 |
| Brett Kavanaugh | Feb 12, 1965 | 61 |
| Elena Kagan | Apr 28, 1960 | 65 |
| Sonia Sotomayor | June 25, 1954 | 71 |
| John Roberts | Jan 27, 1955 | 71 |
| Clarence Thomas | June 23, 1948 | 77 |
| Samuel Alito | Apr 1, 1950 | 75 |
Amy Coney Barrett remains the youngest by nearly a year compared to Justice Jackson.
No changes in Court membership have occurred since Justice Jackson joined in June 2022.
How Young Was Amy Coney Barrett at Confirmation?
Barrett was 48 years old when the Senate confirmed her in 2020.
That age placed her among the youngest justices confirmed in recent decades. While not the youngest in U.S. history, her age positioned her for a potentially long tenure on the Court.
For comparison:
- Justice Clarence Thomas was 43 when confirmed in 1991.
- Justice Joseph Story was only 32 when appointed in 1811.
Joseph Story remains the youngest Supreme Court justice ever appointed in U.S. history.
Historical Context: The Youngest Supreme Court Justice Ever
Although Barrett is the youngest current justice, the youngest Supreme Court justice in American history was Joseph Story.
Key historical details:
- Appointed: 1811
- Age at Appointment: 32
- Nominated by: President James Madison
Story served until his death in 1845. His appointment at age 32 remains unmatched in modern history.
In more recent decades, nominees have typically been in their late 40s to early 60s at the time of confirmation.
Why Age Matters on the Supreme Court
Supreme Court justices hold lifetime appointments under Article III of the U.S. Constitution. This means they serve until retirement, death, or impeachment.
Because of lifetime tenure:
- Younger appointees may serve for decades
- Age influences long-term ideological impact
- Presidents often consider age strategically
When Barrett was confirmed at 48, observers noted that she could potentially serve for 30 years or more.
Longevity affects the Court’s direction over multiple presidential administrations.
Amy Coney Barrett’s Background
Before joining the Supreme Court, Barrett served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Career highlights include:
- Law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia
- Professor at Notre Dame Law School
- Federal appellate judge (2017–2020)
Her academic background and judicial record played a central role in her nomination.
Barrett graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1997. She later returned as a faculty member and gained national attention for her constitutional scholarship.
Major Cases Since Her Appointment
Since joining the Court in 2020, Barrett has participated in several major decisions.
Notable cases during her tenure include:
- Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)
- Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023)
- 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (2023)
She has often aligned with the Court’s conservative majority, though she has written independent opinions in certain cases.
Her jurisprudence continues to shape constitutional interpretation in areas including abortion, affirmative action, religious liberty, and administrative law.
Public Interest in the Youngest Supreme Court Justice
Interest in the youngest Supreme Court justice often rises during major rulings or confirmation cycles.
Americans frequently search for:
- Current ages of justices
- Retirement speculation
- Potential nomination timelines
As of February 2026, no justice has announced retirement plans. The Court’s membership remains unchanged since 2022.
Barrett’s age keeps her central in discussions about the Court’s long-term composition.
Comparing Generational Representation on the Court
The Supreme Court currently includes justices born between 1948 and 1972.
Barrett represents the youngest generation currently serving. Justice Jackson, born in 1970, is the second youngest.
The Court’s generational spread influences:
- Professional backgrounds
- Legal philosophies
- Judicial writing styles
However, all nine justices share elite legal credentials and extensive federal experience.
Confirmation Process Recap
Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation process moved quickly in 2020.
Timeline:
- Nomination: September 26, 2020
- Senate Confirmation: October 26, 2020
- Swearing-in Ceremony: October 27, 2020
The Senate confirmed her by a 52–48 vote.
Her appointment shifted the Court to a 6–3 conservative majority.
That alignment remains in place as of early 2026.
How Long Could the Youngest Supreme Court Justice Serve?
While lifetime tenure does not guarantee length of service, younger appointees often serve multiple decades.
Recent examples:
- Justice Clarence Thomas has served since 1991.
- Chief Justice John Roberts has served since 2005.
If Barrett serves for several decades, she could influence constitutional law well into the mid-21st century.
There have been no announcements regarding retirement or health issues affecting her service.
The Current Balance of the Court
As of February 20, 2026, the Court consists of:
- Six justices generally considered conservative
- Three justices generally considered liberal
The ideological balance has remained stable since Barrett’s confirmation.
Her age ensures she remains a key figure in long-term judicial discussions.
Final Update for 2026
The title of youngest Supreme Court justice currently belongs to Amy Coney Barrett, age 54. The Court’s membership has not changed since 2022, and she remains the youngest by date of birth.
No pending vacancies exist, and no retirement announcements have been made.
The Court continues to hear major cases during its 2025–2026 term.
What are your thoughts on the current Supreme Court lineup? Share your perspective and stay updated on future developments.
