The average American household consisted of 2.51 people in 2023.
Households in the U.S.
As shown in the statistic, the number of people per household has decreased over the past decades.
The U.S. Census Bureau defines a household as follows: “a household includes all the persons who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence. A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other persons in the building and which have direct access from outside the building or through a common hall. The occupants may be a single family, one person living alone, two or more families living together, or any other group of related or unrelated persons who share living arrangements. (People not living in households are classified as living in group quarters.).”
The population of the United States has been growing steadily for decades. Since 1960, the number of households more than doubled from 53 million to over 131 million households in 2023.
Most of these households, about 34 percent, are two-person households. The distribution of U.S. households has changed over the years though. The percentage of single-person households has been on the rise since 1970 and made up the second largest proportion of households in the U.S. in 2022, at 28.88 percent.
In concordance with the rise of single-person households, the percentage of family households with own children living in the household has declined since 1970 from 56 percent to 40.26 percent in 2022.
How many households are in the U.S.?
In 2023, there were 131.43 million households in the United States. This is a significant increase from 1960, when there were 52.8 million households in the U.S.
What counts as a household?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a household is considered to be all persons living within one housing unit. This includes apartments, houses, or single rooms, and consists of both related and unrelated people living together. For example, two roommates who share a living space but are not related would be considered a household in the eyes of the Census. It should be noted that group living quarters, such as college dorms, are not counted as households in the Census.
Household changes
While the population of the United States has been increasing, the average size of households in the U.S. has decreased since 1960. In 1960, there was an average of 3.33 people per household, but in 2023, this figure had decreased to 2.51 people per household. Additionally, two person households make up the majority of American households, followed closely by single-person households.
Table from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year series on household types and population related topics for City of Seattle Council Districts, Comprehensive Plan Growth Areas and Community Reporting Areas. Table includes B11003 Family Type by Presence and Age of Own Children under 18 Years, B11005 Households by Presence of People Under 18 Years by Household Type, B11007 Households by Presence of People 65 Years and Over by Household Type, B11001 Household Type (Including Living Alone), B11002 Household Type by Relatives and Nonrelatives for Population in Households, B25003 Tenure, B25008 Total Population in Occupied Housing Units by Tenure, B09019 Household Type (Including Living Alone) by Relationship. Data is pulled from block group tables for the most recent ACS vintage and summarized to the neighborhoods based on block group assignment.Table created for and used in the Neighborhood Profiles application.Vintages: 2023ACS Table(s): B11003, B11005, B11007, B11001, B11002, B25003, B25008, B09019Data downloaded from: Census Bureau's Explore Census Data The United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS):<a href='https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about.html' style='color:rgb(0, 121, 193); text-decoration-line:none; font-family:inherit;' target='_blank' rel=
The Estimating the Size of Populations through a Household Survey (EPSHS), sought to assess the feasibility of the network scale-up and proxy respondent methods for estimating the sizes of key populations at higher risk of HIV infection and to compare the results to other estimates of the population sizes. The study was undertaken based on the assumption that if these methods proved to be feasible with a reasonable amount of data collection for making adjustments, countries would be able to add this module to their standard household survey to produce size estimates for their key populations at higher risk of HIV infection. This would facilitate better programmatic responses for prevention and caring for people living with HIV and would improve the understanding of how HIV is being transmitted in the country.
The specific objectives of the ESPHS were: 1. To assess the feasibility of the network scale-up method for estimating the sizes of key populations at higher risk of HIV infection in a Sub-Saharan African context; 2. To assess the feasibility of the proxy respondent method for estimating the sizes of key populations at higher risk of HIV infection in a Sub-Saharan African context; 3. To estimate the population size of MSM, FSW, IDU, and clients of sex workers in Rwanda at a national level; 4. To compare the estimates of the sizes of key populations at higher risk for HIV produced by the network scale-up and proxy respondent methods with estimates produced using other methods; and 5. To collect data to be used in scientific publications comparing the use of the network scale-up method in different national and cultural environments.
National
The Estimating the Size of Populations through a Household Survey (ESPHS) used a two-stage sample design, implemented in a representative sample of 2,125 households selected nationwide in which all women and men age 15 years and above where eligible for an individual interview. The sampling frame used was the preparatory frame for the Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC), which was conducted in 2012; it was provided by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
The sampling frame was a complete list of natural villages covering the whole country (14,837 villages). Two strata were defined: the city of Kigali and the rest of the country. One hundred and thirty Primary Sampling Units (PSU) were selected from the sampling frame (35 in Kigali and 95 in the other stratum). To reduce clustering effect, only 20 households were selected per cluster in Kigali and 15 in the other clusters. As a result, 33 percent of the households in the sample were located in Kigali.
The list of households in each cluster was updated upon arrival of the survey team in the cluster. Once the listing had been updated, a number was assigned to each existing household in the cluster. The supervisor then identified the households to be interviewed in the survey by using a table in which the households were randomly pre-selected. This table also provided the list of households pre-selected for each of the two different definitions of what it means "to know" someone.
For further details on sample design and implementation, see Appendix A of the final report.
Face-to-face [f2f]
The Estimating the Size of Populations through a Household Survey (ESPHS) used two types of questionnaires: a household questionnaire and an individual questionnaire. The same individual questionnaire was used to interview both women and men. In addition, two versions of the individual questionnaire were developed, using two different definitions of what it means “to know” someone. Each version of the individual questionnaire was used in half of the selected households.
The processing of the ESPHS data began shortly after the fieldwork commenced. Completed questionnaires were returned periodically from the field to the SPH office in Kigali, where they were entered and checked for consistency by data processing personnel who were specially trained for this task. Data were entered using CSPro, a programme specially developed for use in DHS surveys. All data were entered twice (100 percent verification). The concurrent processing of the data was a distinct advantage for data quality, because the School of Public Health had the opportunity to advise field teams of problems detected during data entry. The data entry and editing phase of the survey was completed in late August 2011.
A total of 2,125 households were selected in the sample, of which 2,120 were actually occupied at the time of the interview. The number of occupied households successfully interviewed was 2,102, yielding a household response rate of 99 percent.
From the households interviewed, 2,629 women were found to be eligible and 2,567 were interviewed, giving a response rate of 98 percent. Interviews with men covered 2,102 of the eligible 2,149 men, yielding a response rate of 98 percent. The response rates do not significantly vary by type of questionnaire or residence.
The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: (1) non-sampling errors, and (2) sampling errors. Non-sampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made to minimize this type of error during the implementation of the Rwanda ESPHS 2011, non-sampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.
Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the ESPHS 2011 is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and identical size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability between all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.
A sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus or minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95 percent of all possible samples of identical size and design.
If the sample of respondents had been selected as a simple random sample, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the ESPHS 2011 sample is the result of a multi-stage stratified design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use more complex formulae. The computer software used to calculate sampling errors for the ESPHS 2011 is a SAS program. This program uses the Taylor linearization method for variance estimation for survey estimates that are means or proportions.
A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in Appendix B of the survey report.
In 2021, the average size of households in Utah was 2.99 people, the largest of any state. Hawaii, California, Idaho, and Texas rounded out the top five states for largest household size in that year. Nationwide, the average household size was 2.54 people.
In 2023, the number of people per household across different regions in China varied between around 2.3 in Heilongjiang province and 3.5 in Tibet. The national average was 2.8 people per household in 2023. The relation between household sizes, birth rates, and income In general, data on average household sizes as well as household income are often derived from the same national household survey. Therefore, average household sizes can be used to calculate per capita income from household income and vice versa. In many regions of China, a larger average household size correlates with lower income. At the same time, a strong positive correlation between household size and birth rate exists, which is in itself not surprising. Different household sizes across China In China, the largest average household sizes were recorded in the western part of the country, where birth rates are high. Lower medium figures prevailed in the prosperous coastal regions, while the lowest figures were recorded in the large municipalities and in Northeast China. The northeastern provinces, which are still dominated by their heavy industries, suffer from bad economic perspectives and population decline, which results in their smaller household sizes.
The statistical dataset contains statistics on a broad range of demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population at the District Council district level. Population characteristics like age and sex, and household characteristics like household income are included.
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China Population: Number of Household: Total data was reported at 496,814.462 Unit th in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 502,094.819 Unit th for 2022. China Population: Number of Household: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 403,798.500 Unit th from Dec 1982 (Median) to 2023, with 36 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 522,689.264 Unit th in 2020 and a record low of 329.088 Unit th in 1994. China Population: Number of Household: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Socio-Demographic – Table CN.GA: Population: Sample Survey: No of Household.
This layer shows the average household size in Dominican Republic in 2018, in a multiscale map (Country, Region, Province, and Municipality). Nationally, the average household size is 3.5 people per household. It is calculated by dividing the household population by total households.
https://data.gov.tw/licensehttps://data.gov.tw/license
Average population per household in the fifth quintile of households (since 1981)
A household consists of all the people occupying a housing unit. A household includes related and unrelated persons, if any, such as lodgers, foster children, wards, or employees who share the housing unit. A person living alone in a housing unit, or a group of unrelated people sharing a housing unit such as partners or roomers, is also counted as a household. The count of households excludes group quarters. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey Years Available: 2010, 2015-2019
https://www.ine.es/aviso_legalhttps://www.ine.es/aviso_legal
Continuous Population Statistics: Average household size of persons residing in family dwellings by date. Quarterly. National.
The main purpose of a Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) was to present high quality and representative national household data on income and expenditure in order to update Consumer Price Index (CPI), improve statistics on National Accounts and measure poverty within the country.
The main objectives of this survey - update the weight of each expenditure item (from COICOP) and obtain weights for the revision of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Funafuti - provide data on the household sectors contribution to the National Accounts - design the structure of consumption for food secutiry - To provide information on the nature and distribution of household income, expenditure and food consumption patterns household living standard useful for planning purposes - To provide information on economic activity of men and women to study gender issues - To generate the income distribution for poverty analysis
The 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) is the third HIES that was conducted by the Central Statistics Division since Tuvalu gained political independence in 1978.
This survey deals mostly with expenditure and income on the cash side and non cash side (gift, home production). Moreover, a lot of information are collected:
at a household level: - goods possession - description of the dwelling - water tank capacity - fruits and vegetables in the garden - livestock
at an individual level: - education level - employment - health
National Coverage: Funafuti and /Outer islands.
The scope of the 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) was all occupied households in Tuvalu. Households are the sampling unit, defined as a group of people (related or not) who pool their money, and cook and eat together. It is not the physical structure (dwelling) in which people live. HIES covered all persons who were considered to be usual residents of private dwellings (must have been living in Tuvalu for a period of 12-months, or have intention to live in Tuvalu for a period of 12-months in order to be included in the survey). Usual residents who are temporary away are included as well (e.g., for work or a holiday).
All the private household are included in the sampling frame. In each household selected, the current resident are surveyed, and people who are usual resident but are currently away (work, health, holydays reasons, or border student for example. If the household had been residing in Tuvalu for less than one year: - but intend to reside more than 12 months => he is included - do not intend to reside more than 12 months => out of scope.
Sample survey data [ssd]
The Tuvalu 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) outputs breakdowns at the domain level which is Funafuti and Outer Islands. To achieve this, and to match the budget constraint, a third of the households were selected in both domains. It was decided that 33% (one third) sample was sufficient to achieve suitable levels of accuracy for key estimates in the survey. So the sample selection was spread proportionally across all the islands except Niulakita as it was considered too small. The selection method used is the simple random survey, meaning that within each domain households were directly selected from the population frame (which was the updated 2009 household listing). All islands were included in the selection except Niulakita that was excluded due to its remoteness, and size.
For selection purposes, in the outer island domain, each island was treated as a separate strata and independent samples were selected from each (one third). The strategy used was to list each dwelling on the island by their geographical position and run a systematic skip through the list to achieve the 33% sample. This approach assured that the sample would be spread out across each island as much as possible and thus more representative.
Population and sample counts of dwellings by islands for 2010 HIES Islands: -Nanumea: Population: 123; sample: 41 -Nanumaga: Population: 117; sample: 39 -Niutao: Population: 138; sample: 46 -Nui: Population: 141; sample: 47 -Vaitupu: Population: 298; sample: 100 -Nukufetau: Population: 141; sample: 47 -Nukulaelae: Population: 78; sample: 26 -Funafuti: Population: 791; sample: 254 -TOTAL: Population: 1827; sample: 600.
Face-to-face [f2f]
3 forms were used. Each question is writen in English and translated in Tuvaluan on the same version of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was highly based on the previous one (2004 survey).
Household Schedule This questionnaire, to be completed by interviewers, is used to collect information about the household composition, living conditions and is also the main form for collecting expenditure on goods and services purchased infrequently.
Individual Schedule There will be two individual schedules: - health and education - labor force (individual aged 15 and above) - employment activity and income (individual aged 15 and above): wages and salaries working own business agriculture and livestock fishing income from handicraft income from gambling small scale activies jobs in the last 12 months other income childreen income tobacco and alcohol use other activities seafarer
Diary (one diary per week, on a 2 weeks period, 2 diaries per household were required) The diaries are used to record all household expenditure and consumption over the two week diary keeping period. The diaries are to be filled in by the household members, with the assistance from interviewers when necessary. - All kind of expenses - Home production - food and drink (eaten by the household, given away, sold) - Goods taken from own business (consumed, given away) - Monetary gift (given away, received, winning from gambling) - Non monetary gift (given away, received, winning from gambling).
Consistency of the data: - each questionnaire was checked by the supervisor during and after the collection - before data entry, all the questionnaire were coded - the CSPRo data entry system included inconsistency checks which allow the National Statistics Office staff to point some errors and to correct them with imputation estimation from their own knowledge (no time for double entry), 4 data entry operators. 1. presence of all the form for each household 2. consistency of data within the questionnaire
at this stage, all the errors were corrected on the questionnaire and on the data entry system in the meantime.
The final response rates for the survey was very pleasing with an average rate of 97 per cent across all islands selected. The response rates were derived by dividing the number of fully responding households by the number of selected households in scope of the survey which weren't vacant.
Response rates for Tuvalu 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES): - Nanumea 100% - Nanumaga 100% - Niutao 98% - Nui 100% - Vaitupu 99% - Nukufetau 89% - Nukulaelae 100% - Funafuti 96%
As can be seen in the table, four of the islands managed a 100 per cent response, whereas only Nukufetau had a response rate of less than 90 per cent.
Further explanation of response rates can be located in the external resource entitled Tuvalu 2010 HIES Report Table 1.2.
The quality of the results can be found in the report provided in this documentation.
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The indicator gives for each type of household the percentage of the total population.
Distribution of household total income in constant 2020 dollars by household type (couple family, one-parent family, non-census family households) and characteristics of household members (number of earners and number of people in different age groups).
This map shows the average household size in Saudi Arabia in 2022, in a multiscale map (Country, Region, and Governorate). Nationally, the average household size is 5.2 people per household. It is calculated by dividing the household population by total households.The pop-up is configured to show the following information at each geography level:Average household size (people per household)Total populationTotal householdsCount of population by marital status The source of this data is Michael Bauer Research. The vintage of the data is 2022. This item was last updated in November, 2022 and is updated every 12-18 months as new annual figures are offered.Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsThis item is for visualization purposes only and cannot be exported or used in analysis.We would love to hear from you. If you have any feedback regarding this item or Esri Demographics, please let us know.Permitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.
Urban and regional planners rely on Average Household Size as a foundational indicator for many of their models, calculations, and plans. Average household size (also known as "people per household") is a reflection of many dynamics at play, for example:Age of the population, as many older people tend to live in smaller households (one-person or two-person households)Housing prices in the area, proximity to colleges and universities, and how likely people are to live with roommatesFamily norms and traditions (e.g., multigenerational families are more common in some areas and with some population groups)This feature layer contains the Average Household Size and Population Density for states, counties, and tracts. Data from U.S. Census Bureau's 2014-2018 American Community Survey's 5-year estimates, Tables B25010 and B01001. Population Density was calculated based on the total population and area of land fields, which both came from the U.S. Census Bureau. See the field description for the formula used.This layer is symbolized to show the average household size. Population density, as well as average household size breakdown by housing tenure is presented in the pop-up. Click the Data tab -> Fields list to see all available attributes and their definitions.
This map shows the average household size in Tunisia in 2023, in a multiscale map (Country, Region, and Governorate). Nationally, the average household size is 3.9 people per household. It is calculated by dividing the household population by total households.The pop-up is configured to show the following information at each geography level:Average household size (people per household)Total populationTotal householdsCount of population by marital statusCount of population by 15-year age increments The source of this data is Michael Bauer Research. The vintage of the data is 2023. This item was last updated in October, 2023 and is updated every 12-18 months as new annual figures are offered.Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsThis item is for visualization purposes only and cannot be exported or used in analysis.We would love to hear from you. If you have any feedback regarding this item or Esri Demographics, please let us know.Permitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.
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Graph and download economic data for Total Families with Children under 18 Years Old (TTLFMCU) from 1950 to 2024 about 18 years +, family, child, household survey, and USA.
Data SourcesAmerican Community Survey (ACS):Conducted by: U.S. Census BureauDescription: The ACS is an ongoing survey that provides detailed demographic and socio-economic data on the population and housing characteristics of the United States.Content: The survey collects information on various topics such as income, education, employment, health insurance coverage, and housing costs and conditions.Frequency: The ACS offers more frequent and up-to-date information compared to the decennial census, with annual estimates produced based on a rolling sample of households.Purpose: ACS data is essential for policymakers, researchers, and communities to make informed decisions and address the evolving needs of the population.CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI):Created by: ATSDR’s Geospatial Research, Analysis & Services Program (GRASP)Utilized by: CDCDescription: The SVI is designed to identify and map communities that are most likely to need support before, during, and after hazardous events.Content: SVI ranks U.S. Census tracts based on 15 social factors, including unemployment, minority status, and disability, and groups them into four related themes. Each tract receives rankings for each Census variable and for each theme, as well as an overall ranking, indicating its relative vulnerability.Purpose: SVI data provides insights into the social vulnerability of communities at both the tract and zip code levels, helping public health officials and emergency response planners allocate resources effectively.Utilization and IntegrationBy integrating data from both the ACS and the SVI, this dataset enables an in-depth analysis and understanding of various socio-economic and demographic indicators at the census tract level. This integrated data is valuable for research, policymaking, and community planning purposes, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of social and economic dynamics across different geographical areas in the United States.ApplicationsTargeted Interventions: Facilitates the development of targeted interventions to address the needs of vulnerable populations within specific zip codes.Resource Allocation: Assists emergency response planners in allocating resources more effectively based on community vulnerability at the zip code level.Research: Provides a rich dataset for academic and applied research in socio-economic and demographic studies at a granular zip code level.Community Planning: Supports the planning and development of community programs and initiatives aimed at improving living conditions and reducing vulnerabilities within specific zip code areas.Note: Due to limitations in the data environment, variable names may be truncated. Refer to the provided table for a clear understanding of the variables. CSV Variable NameShapefile Variable NameDescriptionStateNameStateNameName of the stateStateFipsStateFipsState-level FIPS codeState nameStateNameName of the stateCountyNameCountyNameName of the countyCensusFipsCensusFipsCounty-level FIPS codeState abbreviationStateFipsState abbreviationCountyFipsCountyFipsCounty-level FIPS codeCensusFipsCensusFipsCounty-level FIPS codeCounty nameCountyNameName of the countyAREA_SQMIAREA_SQMITract area in square milesE_TOTPOPE_TOTPOPPopulation estimates, 2013-2017 ACSEP_POVEP_POVPercentage of persons below poverty estimateEP_UNEMPEP_UNEMPUnemployment Rate estimateEP_HBURDEP_HBURDHousing cost burdened occupied housing units with annual income less than $75,000EP_UNINSUREP_UNINSURUninsured in the total civilian noninstitutionalized population estimate, 2013-2017 ACSEP_PCIEP_PCIPer capita income estimate, 2013-2017 ACSEP_DISABLEP_DISABLPercentage of civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability estimate, 2013-2017 ACSEP_SNGPNTEP_SNGPNTPercentage of single parent households with children under 18 estimate, 2013-2017 ACSEP_MINRTYEP_MINRTYPercentage minority (all persons except white, non-Hispanic) estimate, 2013-2017 ACSEP_LIMENGEP_LIMENGPercentage of persons (age 5+) who speak English "less than well" estimate, 2013-2017 ACSEP_MUNITEP_MUNITPercentage of housing in structures with 10 or more units estimateEP_MOBILEEP_MOBILEPercentage of mobile homes estimateEP_CROWDEP_CROWDPercentage of occupied housing units with more people than rooms estimateEP_NOVEHEP_NOVEHPercentage of households with no vehicle available estimateEP_GROUPQEP_GROUPQPercentage of persons in group quarters estimate, 2014-2018 ACSBelow_5_yrBelow_5_yrUnder 5 years: Percentage of Total populationBelow_18_yrBelow_18_yrUnder 18 years: Percentage of Total population18-39_yr18_39_yr18-39 years: Percentage of Total population40-64_yr40_64_yr40-64 years: Percentage of Total populationAbove_65_yrAbove_65_yrAbove 65 years: Percentage of Total populationPop_malePop_malePercentage of total population malePop_femalePop_femalePercentage of total population femaleWhitewhitePercentage population of white aloneBlackblackPercentage population of black or African American aloneAmerican_indianamerican_iPercentage population of American Indian and Alaska native aloneAsianasianPercentage population of Asian aloneHawaiian_pacific_islanderhawaiian_pPercentage population of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander aloneSome_othersome_otherPercentage population of some other race aloneMedian_tot_householdsmedian_totMedian household income in the past 12 months (in 2019 inflation-adjusted dollars) by household size – total householdsLess_than_high_schoolLess_than_Percentage of Educational attainment for the population less than 9th grades and 9th to 12th grade, no diploma estimateHigh_schoolHigh_schooPercentage of Educational attainment for the population of High school graduate (includes equivalency)Some_collegeSome_collePercentage of Educational attainment for the population of Some college, no degreeAssociates_degreeAssociatesPercentage of Educational attainment for the population of associate degreeBachelor’s_degreeBachelor_sPercentage of Educational attainment for the population of Bachelor’s degreeMaster’s_degreeMaster_s_dPercentage of Educational attainment for the population of Graduate or professional degreecomp_devicescomp_devicPercentage of Household having one or more types of computing devicesInternetInternetPercentage of Household with an Internet subscriptionBroadbandBroadbandPercentage of Household having Broadband of any typeSatelite_internetSatelite_iPercentage of Household having Satellite Internet serviceNo_internetNo_internePercentage of Household having No Internet accessNo_computerNo_computePercentage of Household having No computerThis table provides a mapping between the CSV variable names and the shapefile variable names, along with a brief description of each variable.
The average American household consisted of 2.51 people in 2023.
Households in the U.S.
As shown in the statistic, the number of people per household has decreased over the past decades.
The U.S. Census Bureau defines a household as follows: “a household includes all the persons who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence. A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other persons in the building and which have direct access from outside the building or through a common hall. The occupants may be a single family, one person living alone, two or more families living together, or any other group of related or unrelated persons who share living arrangements. (People not living in households are classified as living in group quarters.).”
The population of the United States has been growing steadily for decades. Since 1960, the number of households more than doubled from 53 million to over 131 million households in 2023.
Most of these households, about 34 percent, are two-person households. The distribution of U.S. households has changed over the years though. The percentage of single-person households has been on the rise since 1970 and made up the second largest proportion of households in the U.S. in 2022, at 28.88 percent.
In concordance with the rise of single-person households, the percentage of family households with own children living in the household has declined since 1970 from 56 percent to 40.26 percent in 2022.