More Young Americans Living With Their Parents Than Any Year Since 1940

"Almost 40% of young Americans were living with their parents, siblings or other relatives in 2015, the largest percentage since 1940," reports Chris Kirkham. That fact of contemporary life is reported by an analysis of census data by real estate tracker Trulia.

According to Kirkham, "the share of those between the ages of 18 and 34 doubling up with parents or other family members has been rising since 2005."

"Analysts point to rising rents in many cities and tough mortgage-lending standards as the culprit, making it difficult for younger Americans to strike out on their own," writes Kirkham. Whether that's an accurate explanation for the current familial living arrangements and which direction the percentages will swing next are two questions that loom large over the U.S. housing market and the economy as a whole.