Why are US homes getting bigger while households shrink?

American single-family homes are 20% larger today than they were in 1990 — but households are the smallest they've been in eight decades.

Updated on Fri, September 8, 2023 by the USAFacts Team

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The population of the United States is constantly evolving, both cumulatively and year over year. But one measure of the American population is consistently shrinking: the average household size.

According to the Census Bureau’s annual Current Population Survey, the average American household had 2.5 people in 2022. In 1940, the average household size was 3.7.

Houses are also changing, both in numbers and size. The Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey shows a 22.8% increase in total housing units during the last 25 years. The Census Bureau’s Characteristics of New Housing study reports that the median size of a newly completed single-family home in 2022 was 2,299 square feet — 20% bigger than in 1990. In 2022, 50% of new single-family homes sold were larger than 2,400 square feet, compared with 37% two decades ago.

What's changed about how Americans use their homes?

Although the average American household size has declined, Census data trends may help explain the increased quantity and size of single-family homes.

Children living with their parents

Consider the number of young adults that live in the home of one or more parents. There were 7.68 million Americans aged 25–34 living at home in 2021, representing an 87.4% increase over the past two decades. This figure does not account for children living in their parental home with a spouse or unmarried partner, or those living in the home of other adult relatives or non-relative caretakers.

Working from home

The way Americans use their homes may also explain the increase in house size. More homes are taking on an additional role: workplace. Estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS) note that 27.6 million people worked from home by the end of 2021. That estimate is more than triple the number recorded in 2019, and the highest number and percentage (17.9%) since the ACS began recording data in 2005.

Homes today are not just designed for the number of occupants, but also for the changing ways people navigate modern life.

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More data: How many young adults live with their parents?

Young adults ages 25–34 living at home
Year	Young adults living at home
2021	7,688,000
2020	8,032,000
2019	7,580,000
2018	7,537,000
2017	7,108,000
2016	7,020,000
2015	6,509,000
2014	6,233,000
2013	5,814,000
2012	5,614,000
2011	5,458,000
2010	5,520,000
2009	5,166,000
2008	5,097,000
2007	4,699,000
2006	4,571,000
2005	4,257,000
2004	4,279,000
2003	4,006,000
2002	4,228,000
2001	4,103,000
2000	3,989,000
1999	4,326,000
1998	4,525,000
1997	4,654,000
1996	5,023,000
1995	4,925,000
1994	5,120,000
1993	5,144,000
1992	5,099,000
1991	5,059,000
1990	4,987,000
1989	4,858,000
1988	4,998,000
1987	4,726,000
1986	4,667,000
1985	4,346,000
1984	4,174,000
1983	4,184,000