According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census (2020), 27.6% of all American households are occupied by just one person. This represents a significant increase from the 7.7% recorded in 1940. Since that decade, the percentage of Americans living alone has only been growing. The biggest jump occurred between 1970 and 1980, when it rose from 17.6% to 22.7%. Between 2010 and 2020, the share of those living alone grew from 26.7% to 27.6%.
This means fewer people are getting married. A 2022 report from the Current Population Survey shows that 49.3% of Americans aged 15 and older were not married in 2022.
Overall, the percentage of family households with married people has been steadily decreasing:
• 1990: 55%
• 2015: 50%
• 2019: 53%
• 2022: 45%
And those who do marry are delaying marriage.
From 2015 to 2019, the average age for women to marry for the first time was 28 years. Statista reports that data from the Census Bureau shows that last year, the average age for first marriage for men increased to 30.2 years and 28.4 years for women. In the 1950s, the age of first marriage was 22.5 years for men and 20.1 years for women.
Living alone can be difficult in a country built for families. And it can have consequences for physical and mental health – especially among older Americans.
• Housing is more expensive, especially in cities where many young singles prefer to live;
• And suburban homes are generally large, built for a family of four.
Living alone can have harsher consequences for the elderly.
Studies show that isolated seniors face a higher risk of mortality – whether because there is no one nearby to help in case of an accident or fall, or because loneliness can lead to depression, anxiety, and even accelerate cognitive decline.
But, ‘living alone’ and ‘being alone’ are not the same thing.
Many people can have socially satisfying lives and be happy alone – and they do so by choice.
Still, the increasing number of people living alone is a social change that is likely to continue.
This trend also presents many opportunities for entrepreneurs, including providing more affordable housing, meal preparation, home healthcare, accessible design, and much more.
Source: Current News and Axios