Despite Growing Population, Number of Households Falls

Though the population in America's urban areas rose by more than 3.4 million people between 2005 and 2008, the number of households dropped by about 1.2 million, according to a recent study.

"More young people are living with their parents instead of moving out, postponing the creation of their own households. Meanwhile, more families are combining households for economic reasons, including the loss of a home due to foreclosure, said Gary Painter, associate professor in the School of Policy, Planning and Development at USC. 'With such a significant drop in households nationwide, it is clear the most recent recession impacted individuals' decisions to move out on their own and caused many Americans to join already formed households,' Painter said in a news release."