Where Young Adults Live With Their Parents in the United States

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Due to a multitude of factors, an increasing number of young adults in the United States are choosing to reside with their parents.

As of 2017, statistics indicate that approximately 34.5% of individuals aged 18 to 34 in the United States are living with their parents, marking one of the highest percentages in recent history. How does this nationwide average compare when we examine specific states? Furthermore, can we delve deeper into the data to analyze trends based on age and gender over time?

The interactive map we’re exploring today, courtesy of Overflow Data, presents state-level data in a captivating visualization. It reveals a substantial variation, ranging from as low as 16% in states like D.C. and North Dakota to nearly 47% in a state such as New Jersey.

Below are the top ten states where the largest percentage of young adults reside with their parents:

Rank	State	Population (Young Adults)	% Living at Home
#1	New Jersey	1.9 million	47.30%
#2	Connecticut	0.7 million	42.00%
#3	Rhode Island	0.2 million	41.20
#5	New York	4.5 million	40.50%
#5	Florida	4.3 million	40.00%
#6	California	9.4 million	39.30%
#7	Maryland	1.3 million	39.00%
#8	Missisipi	0.6 million	37.50%
#9	New Mexico	0.5 million	37.10%
#10	Illinois	2.8 million	36.20%

New Jersey takes an unexpected lead in this regard, boasting a striking 47.3% of young adults aged 18-34 residing with their parents. This phenomenon can be attributed, in part, to the state’s proximity to major urban centers such as New York City and Philadelphia, where many young adults opt for commuting rather than bearing the high costs of renting or purchasing properties within the city limits.

It’s equally unsurprising to find states with sizable populations like California, Florida, and New York prominently featured at the top of the list, given the elevated housing expenses and rents in these regions.

Both males and females within this older millennial demographic are increasingly inclined to choose staying at home.

Numerous factors contribute to this trend, encompassing both social and economic influences.

It’s widely acknowledged that millennials are delaying marriage, a traditional motivator for leaving the parental home. Additionally, today’s young adults are opting to postpone parenthood to later stages of adulthood.

Simultaneously, on the economic front, the combination of soaring housing costs and escalating student loan debts poses significant obstacles, restricting young adults’ ability to move out of their parents’ homes as promptly as they might desire.