Multigenerational Families on the Rise

There are more than 4.7 million multigenerational families in America. The U.S. Census Bureau defines multigenerational families as households in which three or more generations are living together. These households include one of three types of living arrangements:

1. A householder, a parent or parent-in-law of the householder, and an own child of the householder,
2. A householder, an own child of the householder, and a grandchild of the householder,
3. A householder, a parent or parent-in-law of the householder, an own child of the householder, and a grandchild of the householder.

The householder is a person in whose name the home is owned, being bought, or rented, and who answers the survey questionnaire as person 1.

This map depicts the approximate count and percentage of households that are multigenerational households. The count of households is depicted by the size and the percentage of total households is depicted by the color, with dark teal areas symbolizing a higher percentage of multigenerational households. Data from  Census Bureau's 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) . 

Hawaii is the state with the highest percentage of multigenerational households, at 7.8%, followed by California (6.0%), Puerto Rico (5.0%) and Texas (4.9%), and Maryland (4.6%), compared to only 3.8% of households nationwide,  based on American Community Survey 2016-2020 estimates, Table B11017 . (Note: data for Puerto Rico is not in this map.)

The top states are some with the highest cost of living, as well as high levels of diversity. Pew Research Center lists financial reasons as a main consideration in multigenerational living. Other factors are the increasing diversity of the country, as mutligenerational living being more common among Asian, Hispanic/Latino, and Black families than among white families. Roughly 25% of Asian, Black, and Hispanic Americans lived in multigenerational households in 2021, compared with 13% of those who are white. While white Americans are the least likely to live in these families, multigenerational living is also rising among non-Hispanic whites,  according to Pew .

The state with the lowest percent of multigenerational households was North Dakota, at 1.3%. North Dakota has been a destination for many workers during the fracking boom, which has created more households comprising of people living alone, or with roommates.

While we don't pay rent, we pay 'emotional rent.'

-Ms. Perez, a Filipina American woman who lived with her husband & baby daughter in her parents' home near San Francisco. Both she and her husband had professional jobs in the Bay Area, but for a mix of economic and cultural reasons, lived with her parents.

Having my parents live with us has been a blessing, but man, it's been tough.

-Ms. Hernandez, a teacher who lives in Jurupa Valley, CA. She and her husband have three boys. Having space for the grandparents was a consideration when purchasing their home in California's Inland Empire.

The Pew Research Center sites that  about a quarter  say living with other adult family members can be stressful all or most of the time, especially among adult children living with a parent.

It's easier having help with the kids when their dad is away.

-Ms. Ramirez, a Navy wife with two children who live with her parents in El Centro, CA.

Despite the challenges, a majority (56%) of adults in multigenerational families say that it's been positive ( Pew) .

When multigenerational living is intentional, it is associated with better health outcomes, decreased loneliness among older adults, and better educational outcomes among children. It is also associated with lower poverty levels and can lead to cost-savings on items like rent and childcare ( AARP ). Pew analysis of the Current Population Survey data shows that Americans living in multigenerational families are less likely to be in poverty than those in other living arrangements ( Pew ).

Multigenerational living increased as a response to the Pandemic according to the  National Association of Realtors , although it was on the rise even before, notes  AARP in 2019 .

Real estate developers are interested in understanding the prevalence of multigenerational households so they can know where to develop single-family detached homes with two master bedrooms, often one on the first floor for the grandparent(s) and another upstairs.

AARP calls for zoning changes to allow building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), separate units that are built on the same lot as an existing home. ADUs can allow two generations to live together while preserving separate living areas. However, many communities have regulations that make it difficult or impossible to build ADUs currently.

These recommendations are echoed by  Generations United , in fact, their first and second recommendations relate to housing, while their other recommendations are around other supportive policies.

The overwhelming majority of Americans living in a multigenerational home (98%) say their household functions successfully. -Generations United