New Census Bureau estimates released Tuesday show a striking shift in how Americans live, with married couples now making up fewer than half of all U.S. households. The 2025 data, drawn from the long-running Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, found that just 47% of households were married couples, down sharply from 66% in 1975.
The decline reflects broader changes in family formation, aging, and independent living. Even among married-couple households, fewer include children. In 1975, more than half of these households — 54% — had their own children under 18 living at home. By 2025, that figure had dropped to 37%.
The Census Bureau’s latest release highlights a growing number of one-person households. This year, 39.7 million people lived alone, representing 29% of all households, compared with 20% in 1975. The shift aligns with demographic trends showing more young adults delaying marriage and more older adults living independently.
Americans are also marrying later than in past generations. The estimated median age at first marriage rose to 30.8 for men and 28.4 for women in 2025. Fifty years ago, the median ages were 23.5 and 21.1, respectively.
Generational living arrangements continue to evolve as well. More than half of adults ages 18 to 24 — 58% — lived in their parents’ home in 2025. By comparison, only 16% of adults ages 25 to 34 lived with their parents, underscoring the transition that typically occurs as young adults move toward independence.
The aging population is contributing to structural changes as well. Householders age 65 and older made up more than one-quarter of all householders in 2025, up from one in five in 1975.
The Census Bureau’s long-running tables track how Americans’ living patterns have shifted over six decades, documenting changes in household composition, family size, and the presence of children. The agency notes that all comparative statements in the release are statistically tested and considered significant.
More information and detailed tables are available on the Census Bureau’s Families and Living Arrangements webpage.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau