Young Adults Living With Parents: U.S. Statistics
Published September 17, 2026 · StatsGalore
Adults ages 18–24 living in their parental home [1]
In 2025, 58% of adults ages 18 to 24 lived in their parental home, compared with 16% of adults ages 25 to 34. The Census Bureau reported these figures in its families and living-arrangements release. [1]
The numbers
| Age group | Share living in parental home | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | 58% | [1] |
| 25–34 | 16% | [1] |
Age boundaries change the headline
The two age groups cover different stages of young adulthood. Combining them into a single share would require their population sizes as weights; simply averaging the two percentages would not produce a valid estimate.
A headline about all young adults should therefore state the age range. A figure for adults ages 18 to 24 cannot be applied to everyone under age 35.
[1]Living arrangements are not financial status
The measure describes where people live under the survey's rules. It does not establish whether they pay rent, contribute to household bills, provide care, or receive financial support.
Living in a parental home can occur alongside employment, education, or caregiving. The percentage should not be treated as a direct measure of unemployment or economic dependence.
[1]A cross-section is not a moving history
These observations identify living arrangements in the reference year. They do not distinguish everyone who has never left from everyone who moved away and later returned.
A question about moving back in requires a history of residence or a survey designed to capture transitions. The cross-sectional percentage alone cannot describe the frequency of that experience.
[1]Making fair comparisons
To compare places or years, retain the same age groups and household definitions. Differences in student housing treatment, survey methods, or age boundaries can change the estimate.
The useful conclusion is that residence in a parental home varies greatly across these age groups. Explanations for the difference require additional evidence about education, work, housing, family circumstances, and individual choices.
[1]Sources & notes
Source: Census Bureau 2025 families and living-arrangements release, CPS ASEC. Percentages are for adults within each age group; they cannot be averaged without population weights.
Source review: 2026-09-15. Article publication and underlying data dates are separate. How we use statistics · Suggest a correction