New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show notable changes in household composition in the United States over the past 50 years. According to estimates released on December 2, 2025, fewer than half (47%) of U.S. households in 2025 were married couples. This marks a significant decrease from 1975, when nearly two-thirds (66%) of households were comprised of married couples.
The share of married-couple households with their own children has also declined. In 1975, more than half (54%) of these households included their own children under age 18; by 2025, this figure had dropped to about 37%.
There has been an increase in one-person households as well. In 2025, there were approximately 39.7 million one-person households, representing 29% of all households—up from 20% in 1975.
Householders aged 65 and older now make up more than a quarter of all householders, compared to one in five in 1975. The percentage of families with their own children under age 18 fell from 54% in 1975 to 39% in 2025.
The estimated median age at first marriage rose for both men and women over this period: for men it increased to 30.8 years and for women to 28.4 years, compared with ages of 23.5 and 21.1 respectively in 1975.
Living arrangements among young adults have shifted as well. In 2025, more than half (58%) of adults ages 18 to 24 lived with their parents, while only about one-sixth (16%) of those ages 25 to 34 did so.
These statistics are based on data from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) for the years 2025 and 1975. The CPS ASEC has been collecting information on family characteristics for over six decades.
The newly released tables provide details on household characteristics, living arrangements, couple types, and children within families across the country.
Definitions as well as further details on confidentiality protection and methodology can be found within the technical documentation at this link. Information regarding calculation methods for standard errors is included in the Source and Accuracy Statement (“Attachment H”).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau: “All comparative statements have undergone statistical testing, and, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are statistically significant at the ten percent significance level.”
For additional information or access to data tables on families and living arrangements visit census.gov.
