'Doubling Up' Increases

'Doubling up', when multiple families live under one roof to save money, is nothing new - it increases when economic times are difficult, especially with extended families. However, the Census reports that adults aged 35+ now exceed younger groups.

1 minute read

October 4, 2010, 11:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

When times are tight, children will return to live with their parents. For the first time, older adults have taken up that strategy in record numbers, reports the Census Bureau. While there are upsides to these 'extended families', it also masks an increase in poverty as the Census combines all incomes for those living together.

"When struggling adults share households with other family, it may keep them out of poverty members "More adults ages 35 or older are packing up their households and bunking with in-laws, siblings, parents or other kin. It's happening at a historically high rate, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Nearly 500,000 such folks moved in with family over the past two years, compared with some 400,000 in the 25-to-34 age group traditionally known for returning to live with parents. Together, the two groups drove an 11.4 percent increase in the number of U.S. households containing extended families.

But the surge's impact is especially profound among the older adults, accelerating a pattern begun during the 2000 recession: 3.4 million more Americans ages 35 and older have moved in with relatives over the decade. Their numbers increased twice as fast as the age group's population."

FULL STORY: For Many Families, Bad Times Require 'Doubling Up'

Thursday, September 30, 2010 in NPR

Housing Social / Demographics United States Census Doubling Up

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.