Are Millennials Hiding in their Parents' Basements?

Recent studies have found that trends born of the Great Recession have left Millennials stuck in place. A recent article places the current milieu in context by comparing historic rates of mobility.

1 minute read

May 19, 2014, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Millennial Crowd

Jared Eberhardt / Flickr

Stephen Mihm launches his investigation of American mobility by describing contemporary young Americans as anchored in place: "by one estimate, only 20.1 percent of millennials moved in the past year." Moreover, "[when] you look at 'long-distance moves' -– between counties or states -– it is only 7 percent, close to a historical low." And finally, "a whopping 36 [of Millennials] are now living with their parents."

Then, to compare and contrast the current mobility of contemporary young Americans to past generations, Mihm examines historic anecdotes and data, starting with Tocqueville through the middle of the 19th century and through the post-war realities of the mid-20th century.

According to Mihm, the country's tradition of mobility is at odds with the current stagnation of the Millennial generation. "But why are millennials, who are less likely to own a home, so thoroughly stuck in place?" he asks.

Mihm doesn't answer his question, but he does pose another thought-provoking jab: "[if] an earlier generation of Americans blessed with fewer resources and advantages could pull up roots and move to new towns and cities, sight unseen, it seems strange that millennials can’t do the same."

Friday, May 16, 2014 in Bloomberg View

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Adult holding hands of two children, all wearing winter coats, in crosswalk in New York City during holidays with trees decorated with lights in background.

Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009

Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’

30 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine