Monday, October 14, 2013

2 Million Fewer Nuclear Families

The Great Recession and its aftermath changed the lives of young adults, and the nation is experiencing the consequences. The number of nuclear families (married couples with children under age 18) is shrinking because young adults are postponing marriage and childbearing, creating a new baby bust and driving the median age at first marriage to a record high.

In 2013, there were 25 million nuclear families, down from 27 million in 2007. Today, only 21 percent of the nation's households are headed by married couples with children under age 18. A larger 27 percent are headed by people who live alone.

Source: Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (currently unavailable due to government shutdown)

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