Youngest Supreme Court justice is a distinction currently held by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who remains the youngest sitting member of the United States Supreme Court as of February 20, 2026. 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 Court’s membership has not changed since Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson joined in June 2022. With nine active justices, Barrett is the youngest by date of birth and the most junior member in terms of age.
Here is a full look at who holds the title today, how the current Court compares by age, and what this means in historical context.
Who Is the Youngest Supreme Court Justice Today?
Justice Amy Coney Barrett currently holds the distinction.
Key details:
- Full Name: Amy Vivian Coney Barrett
- Date of Birth: January 28, 1972
- Current Age: 54
- Appointed By: President Donald Trump
- Confirmed By the Senate: 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 the modern era.
As of early 2026, she remains the youngest member of the Court.
Current Ages of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices (February 2026)
The Supreme Court consists of nine justices: one Chief Justice and eight associate justices. Below is a verified age breakdown as of February 20, 2026:
| Justice | Date of Birth | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 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 G. Roberts Jr. | Jan 27, 1955 | 71 |
| Samuel A. Alito Jr. | Apr 1, 1950 | 75 |
| Clarence Thomas | June 23, 1948 | 77 |
Barrett is nearly one year younger than Justice Jackson. No changes in Court composition have occurred since Jackson’s confirmation in 2022.
How Young Was Barrett at Confirmation?
When the Senate confirmed Barrett in October 2020, she was 48 years old.
That age positioned her among the youngest justices in recent decades. For comparison:
- Clarence Thomas was 43 when confirmed in 1991.
- John Roberts was 50 when confirmed as Chief Justice in 2005.
- Elena Kagan was 50 when confirmed in 2010.
Although Barrett is not the youngest justice in U.S. history, her age at confirmation suggests the potential for a long tenure.
The Youngest Justice in U.S. History
The youngest Supreme Court justice ever appointed was Joseph Story.
Historical facts:
- Appointed in 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 times, nominees are typically in their late 40s to early 60s. The Senate confirmation process and professional expectations have shifted significantly since the early 19th century.
Why Age Matters on the Supreme Court
Supreme Court justices hold lifetime appointments under Article III of the Constitution.
This structure means:
- Justices may serve for decades
- Younger appointees can influence law across generations
- Presidential nominations can shape the Court long after a presidency ends
Barrett’s age at confirmation allows for the possibility of a multi-decade tenure, depending on personal choice and health.
Lifetime tenure is designed to protect judicial independence, not political cycles.
Amy Coney Barrett’s Legal Background
Before joining the Supreme Court, Barrett built a career in academia and the federal judiciary.
Her professional history includes:
- Law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia
- Professor at Notre Dame Law School
- Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (2017–2020)
She graduated first in her class from Notre Dame Law School in 1997. Her academic work focused on constitutional interpretation and statutory analysis.
Barrett gained national attention during her appellate court nomination hearings in 2017. Her confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2020 came after a Senate vote of 52–48.
Major Decisions During Her Tenure
Since 2020, Barrett has participated in significant Supreme Court rulings.
Key cases include:
- Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)
The Court overturned Roe v. Wade. - Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023)
The Court ruled against race-conscious admissions programs. - 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (2023)
The Court ruled in favor of a business owner on First Amendment grounds.
Barrett has aligned with the Court’s conservative majority in several landmark decisions. However, she has also authored separate opinions in select cases.
Her jurisprudence reflects textualist and originalist principles, approaches often associated with Justice Scalia.
Current Supreme Court Composition
As of February 2026, the Court consists of:
- Six justices generally viewed as conservative
- Three justices generally viewed as liberal
The ideological balance has remained stable since 2020.
No justice has announced retirement plans. There are no confirmed vacancies.
The 2025–2026 term continues with major cases involving administrative law, constitutional interpretation, and federal regulatory authority.
Public Interest in the Youngest Supreme Court Justice
Search interest in the youngest Supreme Court justice often increases during high-profile rulings or election cycles.
Americans frequently look up:
- Ages of current justices
- Historical comparisons
- Length of service
- Retirement speculation
As of today, Barrett holds the distinction without dispute.
Her age places her in a unique position on a Court where most members are over 60.
Generational Representation on the Bench
The current Court includes justices born between 1948 and 1972.
Barrett represents the youngest generation on the bench. Justice Jackson, born in 1970, is the second youngest.
This generational span covers nearly 25 years.
Different age groups can bring varied professional experiences. However, all nine justices share extensive federal legal backgrounds.
Length of Service So Far
Barrett has served on the Supreme Court since October 2020.
As of February 2026:
- She has completed more than five years on the bench.
- She has participated in multiple full Court terms.
- She has authored majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions.
Her judicial record continues to grow each term.
Confirmation Timeline Recap
Barrett’s confirmation moved quickly in 2020.
Timeline highlights:
- Nomination announced: September 26, 2020
- Senate confirmation vote: October 26, 2020
- Sworn in: October 27, 2020
Her appointment shifted the Court’s ideological balance following Justice Ginsburg’s passing.
The confirmation occurred during a presidential election year, drawing significant national attention.
Stability of the Court in 2026
The Court has not changed membership since Justice Jackson joined in June 2022.
There are:
- No pending nominations
- No announced retirements
- No confirmed health-related departures
That stability makes Barrett’s position as the youngest Supreme Court justice clear and unchanged.
What the Title Means Today
Being the youngest justice does not grant additional authority. All justices hold equal voting power.
However, age carries symbolic and strategic significance.
A younger justice may:
- Serve longer than peers
- Influence decades of precedent
- Participate in generational shifts in constitutional interpretation
Barrett’s position ensures her voice will likely shape Court decisions for years to come.
Final Verified Status for 2026
As of February 20, 2026, Amy Coney Barrett is the youngest Supreme Court justice at age 54. The Court’s membership remains unchanged since 2022.
Joseph Story remains the youngest justice ever appointed in U.S. history, but Barrett holds the current distinction among sitting members.
The Supreme Court continues its active term with no announced changes to its lineup.
What are your thoughts on the current Supreme Court’s generational balance? Share your perspective and stay informed as the Court moves through its 2026 term.