The American household continues to change, as more young adults are living together before marriage and delaying marriage for much longer than in the past.
In 2018 there were 8.5 million unmarried opposite-sex couples living together, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The percentage of young adults ages 25 to 34 who are living with an unmarried partner rose to 15 percent in 2018, up from 12 percent in 2008.
Dramatic rise
Among those ages 18 to 24, cohabitation is more prevalent than living with a spouse. Approximately seven percent of young adults in that age group are married, while 9 percent are cohabiting with a partner. In 1978, 59 percent of young adults ages 18 to 34 were married compared to only 29 percent of those in that age bracket in 2018.
The median age at first marriage has risen over the past 15 years. In 2003 the median age at first marriage was 27.1 for males and 25.3 for females. In 2018 the median age at first marriage for males was 29.8 and 27.8 for females.
One result of young adults delaying marriage is a dramatic rise in single-person households. In 1960 single-person households represented only 13 percent of all households. In 2018 single person households compose 28 percent of all households.
The data was released Nov. 14 by the Census Bureau. The statistics come from the 2018 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, which has collected statistics on families for more than 60 years. (TAB)
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