Grandparents & parents, as well as their kids, are sharing space more than they did before. That’s especially true in America. And while it looks different depending on the family, the overall pattern is the same. More people across generations are living together again. The ages don’t matter.
So why is this happening? Let’s take a look.
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Key takeaways
You’ll find out about:
- What exactly counts as a multigenerational household
- How common it is today & who’s most likely to live that way
- Why these homes are on the rise again
- What researchers have found about these setups
What “multigenerational” means in the data
The Census Bureau defines a multigenerational household as one with at least three generations under the same roof. This usually involves grandparents, parents & children.
But some researchers use a looser rule, such as families with two adult generations, like parents & their grown kids. They also include homes with grandparents & grandchildren under 25. Such a difference changes the definition a lot.
How common is it now?
By 2020, there were about 6 million multigenerational households in America. That’s up from around 5.1 million in 2010, and they’re not evenly spread out either. Higher numbers pop up in the South & Puerto Rico, as well as parts of the West.
The number of young adults living at home has also become quite normal. In 2022, over half of men (57%) & more than half of women (55%) aged 18–24 were living with their parents.
Certain groups show up in the data more often. Families with foreign-born adults are more likely to be multigenerational, especially Asian & Hispanic households. Single adults are also more likely to live in these homes compared with married adults.
Counties in the South & Southwest, along with New York & New Jersey, have some of the highest shares. This is likely due to the cost of living & demographics.
What’s driving the rise
So what’s causing this? Primarily, housing. Census research shows that states with higher median housing costs tend to have more multigenerational households. Young adults are also leaving home later or moving back after being gone. These boomerangs are often connected to job loss & student debt.
Caregiving is another factor. Older adults often need daily help, and younger generations provide a huge amount of unpaid care, with one study estimating the value of that care at over $400 billion a year. Immigration is also important, since extended-family support is more common in some cultures, especially those from Asia.
Measured effects inside multigenerational homes
The consequences are rather interesting.
Poverty rates:
In certain cases, young adults & older adults living in multigenerational households show lower poverty rates compared with living separately. However, between 2009 & 2011, about 15% of these households were under the poverty line, compared with 11% of other family households.
Caregiving:
The value of informal care in terms of caregiving is also important. It’s at around $412 billion to $522 billion a year, depending on who you count.
Health:
In New York City, one study linked crowded multigenerational households with a higher COVID-19 case rate. This doesn’t prove cause, of course. But it shows how shared space can affect health risks & people’s overall living experiences.
Parents’ finances:
When grown kids move back in, a recent study found parents didn’t lose their wealth overall, but they did report being slightly more likely to keep working past 65. They also took on a bit more non-housing debt & received more financial help from their kids.
Grandparents and childcare:
A few grandparents feel more stressed when raising grandkids, while others find purpose in it. But either way, they’re heavily involved in childcare when under the same roof.
How home design & housing choices are changing
You might notice something different whenever you walk through housing developments. More homes are being built with families in mind that don’t all fit the “mom, dad & two kids” idea.
Some companies now offer layouts that create a mini apartment inside the main house. This often includes its own bedroom, bathroom, living space & even a small kitchen area. There may even be a separate entrance, too. While it may not be a completely separate home, it gives everyone a bit of independence. But they’re still connected in the right ways.
All of this is changing how homes are built & sold. Rather than cookie-cutter layouts, designers are more interested in designs that give families flexibility through rooms that change as life changes. They want spaces that make living together less cramped.
Either way, one thing’s clear. More families are sharing roofs today than a decade ago & there are quite a few reasons for this. Who knows what the future will hold?
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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