Solo living is the most common arrangement for households in the U.S.

Households in the United States have changed significantly over the last 60 years. In 1960, 43% of households were couples with children, but this had dropped to 24% by 2015.

Once a minority, single individuals living alone are now the most common composition, making up 28% of households in 2015.

Several factors may explain this shift. Since 2000, most population growth has occurred among those over 60, who are more likely to live alone after widowhood or once children leave home. Declining birth rates have further reduced the share of households with children.

At the same time, rising incomes among women, in particular, have made independent living more accessible, likely contributing to the increase in single-person households alongside the trend of marrying later or not at all.

This Daily Data Insight was written by Veronika Samborska.