GITNUXREPORT 2026

American Family Statistics

The American family is diversifying as traditional structures evolve into many modern forms.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

In 2023, U.S. fertility rate was 1.62 births per woman, below replacement level of 2.1.

Statistic 2

3.59 million babies born in U.S. in 2022, down 2% from 2021.

Statistic 3

Childlessness by age 44: 21% of women in 2021 cohort.

Statistic 4

Average age of mothers at first birth: 27.3 years in 2022.

Statistic 5

40% of U.S. births in 2022 were to unmarried women.

Statistic 6

Single-mother families: 15.1 million children lived with mother only in 2022.

Statistic 7

Teen birth rate: 13.5 per 1,000 females aged 15-19 in 2022.

Statistic 8

Adoption rate: 135,000 children adopted annually from foster care.

Statistic 9

Homeschooled children: 3.7 million or 6.73% of school-age children in 2022.

Statistic 10

Child care costs average $10,853 per year per child under 5 in 2023.

Statistic 11

23% of children under 18 live in immigrant families in 2021.

Statistic 12

Kindergarten enrollment: 79% of 5-year-olds in 2021.

Statistic 13

Sibling size: 41% of Americans have one sibling, 33% have two or more.

Statistic 14

IVF births: 83,305 babies from 326,468 cycles in 2021.

Statistic 15

Children with disabilities: 15% of U.S. children aged 3-17 in 2022.

Statistic 16

Only-child families: 22% of parents with one child in 2023 surveys.

Statistic 17

Head Start enrollment: 833,000 low-income children in 2022.

Statistic 18

Child support received by 44% of single-mother families in 2021.

Statistic 19

College enrollment among 18-24 year olds: 40% in 2023.

Statistic 20

Twin birth rate: 31.7 per 1,000 births in 2022.

Statistic 21

Foster care children: 391,098 in care on Sept 30, 2022.

Statistic 22

Parental leave: Only 23% of workers have paid family leave in 2023.

Statistic 23

High school graduation rate: 87% for public school class of 2022.

Statistic 24

Children in poverty: 15.5% or 11.0 million in 2022.

Statistic 25

Screen time for kids 8-12: 4.4 hours daily recreational in 2021.

Statistic 26

In 2023, 64.1% of U.S. households were family households, comprising 83.4 million family households out of 130.1 million total households.

Statistic 27

As of 2022, the average U.S. household size was 2.50 persons, down from 3.14 in 1970.

Statistic 28

In 2021, 18.3% of U.S. households were single-person households, totaling about 37.9 million.

Statistic 29

Multigenerational living arrangements affected 18% of Americans in 2021, up from 12% in 1980.

Statistic 30

In 2022, 34% of U.S. adults aged 25-34 lived in a parental home, compared to 12% in 1970.

Statistic 31

Non-family households made up 35.9% of all U.S. households in 2023.

Statistic 32

In 2020, 7.8 million U.S. households were headed by same-sex couples.

Statistic 33

The share of U.S. households with children under 18 dropped to 36.9% in 2022 from 48.3% in 2000.

Statistic 34

In 2021, 10.5% of U.S. households were grandparent-headed with no parents present.

Statistic 35

Average family size in the U.S. was 3.13 persons in 2022.

Statistic 36

In 2023, 15.2% of Americans lived alone, totaling 38.1 million people.

Statistic 37

Households with five or more people accounted for 6.1% of all U.S. households in 2022.

Statistic 38

In 2021, 59 million Americans lived in multigenerational households.

Statistic 39

Unmarried partner households grew to 2.1% of all households in 2022.

Statistic 40

In 2020, 25% of U.S. adults aged 18-29 lived with parents.

Statistic 41

Family households with own children under 18 were 24.8% of total households in 2023.

Statistic 42

In 2022, 8.4% of households were headed by someone 85 or older.

Statistic 43

Shared households (three or more unrelated adults) were 17.8% of young adult households in 2021.

Statistic 44

In 2023, 40.2 million households had no children under 18.

Statistic 45

Households led by women maintaining families numbered 11.4 million in 2022.

Statistic 46

In 2021, 28% of Black Americans lived in multigenerational households vs. 13% of whites.

Statistic 47

Average household size for Hispanic families was 3.45 in 2022.

Statistic 48

In 2020, 4.1% of households were cohabiting opposite-sex unmarried partners.

Statistic 49

Empty-nest households (65+) with no children at home were 29 million in 2022.

Statistic 50

In 2023, 22% of households included someone with a disability.

Statistic 51

Nuclear family households declined to 43% of family households in 2021.

Statistic 52

In 2022, 1.2 million households were same-sex married couples.

Statistic 53

Households with opposite-sex unmarried partners totaled 6.9 million in 2022.

Statistic 54

In 2021, 12% of Asian Americans lived in multigenerational homes.

Statistic 55

Family households headed by men living alone with no wife present were 4.9 million in 2023.

Statistic 56

Median family income for married couples with children was $123,500 in 2022.

Statistic 57

10.4% of U.S. families lived in poverty in 2022.

Statistic 58

Child care expenses consume 20% of family income for low-income families.

Statistic 59

42% of mothers were primary or sole earners in 2023.

Statistic 60

Student debt average for parents: $35,000 per family in 2022.

Statistic 61

Homeownership rate for families: 65.2% in Q1 2024.

Statistic 62

Alimony awarded in 10-15% of divorces, averaging $5,000/month.

Statistic 63

Family net worth median: $192,700 for married couples in 2022.

Statistic 64

18% of families carry credit card debt over $10,000 in 2023.

Statistic 65

Dual-income families: 60% of married couples with children in 2022.

Statistic 66

Food insecurity affected 13.5% of families with children in 2022.

Statistic 67

Average 401(k) balance for families: $226,000 in 2023.

Statistic 68

Housing costs exceed 30% of income for 42% of families in 2023.

Statistic 69

Single-parent family median income: $45,000 vs. $103,000 married in 2022.

Statistic 70

Emergency savings: Only 44% of families could cover 3 months expenses.

Statistic 71

College savings in 529 plans: $500 billion total assets in 2023.

Statistic 72

Family business ownership: 19 million businesses, 64% family-owned.

Statistic 73

Medical debt: 14 million adults in families with debt over $1,000.

Statistic 74

Wealth gap: White families median wealth $285,000 vs. Black $45,000 in 2022.

Statistic 75

Gig economy: 36% of families have a gig worker in 2023.

Statistic 76

Rent burden: 50% of renter families spend over 30% on rent.

Statistic 77

Retirement savings gap: Families need $1.46 million, have $88,400 median.

Statistic 78

Inflation impact: 62% of families cut spending due to inflation in 2023.

Statistic 79

Life insurance coverage: 54% of families have adequate coverage.

Statistic 80

Auto loan debt for families: Average $25,197 in 2023.

Statistic 81

28% of low-income families have no bank account.

Statistic 82

Mental health treatment access: 50% of families sought care in 2022.

Statistic 83

Obesity rate in U.S. families: 42.4% of adults, 19.7% children in 2022.

Statistic 84

Family vaccination rate for COVID-19: 70% fully vaccinated by 2023.

Statistic 85

Domestic violence: 10 million adults affected annually, 1 in 4 women.

Statistic 86

Family caregiving: 53 million adults provide unpaid care in 2023.

Statistic 87

Substance abuse in families: 18.7 million adults with alcohol use disorder.

Statistic 88

Child abuse reports: 3.1 million in 2022, affecting 558,000 unique children.

Statistic 89

Elder abuse: 1 in 10 older adults experienced in last year.

Statistic 90

Family happiness: 85% of parents report being happy with family life.

Statistic 91

Suicide rate: 14.2 per 100,000, higher in rural families.

Statistic 92

Access to healthcare: 8.6% uninsured, mostly low-income families.

Statistic 93

Sleep deprivation: 35% of parents get less than 7 hours nightly.

Statistic 94

Loneliness epidemic: 52% of Americans report loneliness, higher in singles.

Statistic 95

Family meals: 66% eat dinner together 5+ nights/week, linked to better health.

Statistic 96

Opioid deaths in families: 80,000 annually impact family structures.

Statistic 97

Physical activity: Only 23% of adults meet guidelines, lower with kids.

Statistic 98

Mental illness prevalence: 22.8% of adults, affecting family dynamics.

Statistic 99

Telehealth use by families: 40% in 2023 for routine care.

Statistic 100

Social media impact: 81% of parents worry about teen usage.

Statistic 101

Cancer survival rates improved to 68.7% for family members diagnosed 2014-2020.

Statistic 102

Vaccine hesitancy: 28% of parents hesitant for child vaccines in 2023.

Statistic 103

Heart disease: Leading cause, 695,000 deaths, family history risk factor.

Statistic 104

Work-family balance stress: 60% of parents report high stress.

Statistic 105

Dementia in families: 6.7 million aged 65+ with Alzheimer's in 2023.

Statistic 106

Family resilience: 75% report strong family bonds post-pandemic.

Statistic 107

The U.S. marriage rate in 2021 was 6.1 per 1,000 population, up from 5.1 in 2020.

Statistic 108

Divorce rate in the U.S. fell to 2.5 per 1,000 population in 2021 from 2.7 in 2019.

Statistic 109

In 2022, 48% of U.S. adults were married, down from 72% in 1960.

Statistic 110

Cohabitation rates among adults aged 18-44 rose to 15% in 2021.

Statistic 111

First marriage median age for women was 28.6 years in 2021, for men 30.6.

Statistic 112

40% of U.S. marriages end in divorce within 15 years, per 2022 data.

Statistic 113

Interracial marriages accounted for 19% of new marriages in 2019.

Statistic 114

Remarriage rate after divorce is 64% for women and 67% for men within 10 years.

Statistic 115

In 2021, 6 million U.S. adults were cohabiting, up 29% since 2007.

Statistic 116

Gray divorce (50+) rate doubled from 1990 to 2021, reaching 15 per 1,000.

Statistic 117

25% of married couples in 2023 had one foreign-born spouse.

Statistic 118

U.S. annulments totaled about 900 per year in recent data.

Statistic 119

Satisfaction in marriage: 73% of married adults reported being very satisfied in 2022.

Statistic 120

Never-married adults aged 25-54: 35% of men, 30% of women in 2021.

Statistic 121

Common-law marriage recognized in 8 states, affecting 1% of couples.

Statistic 122

Wedding costs averaged $30,000 in 2023 for U.S. couples.

Statistic 123

14% of marriages in 2022 were interracial or interethnic.

Statistic 124

Duration of first marriages averaged 20 years before divorce in 2021.

Statistic 125

50% of children of divorce see parents remarry within 5 years.

Statistic 126

LGBTQ+ marriage rate: 53% of same-sex couples married by 2022.

Statistic 127

Adultery cited in 20-40% of U.S. divorces annually.

Statistic 128

Median age at first divorce: 30 for women, 32 for men in 2021.

Statistic 129

69% of divorces initiated by women in 2023 studies.

Statistic 130

Marriage rate for college grads: 64% vs. 48% for non-grads in 2022.

Statistic 131

7% of U.S. adults in polyamorous relationships in 2021 surveys.

Statistic 132

Post-divorce co-parenting satisfaction: 40% report high cooperation.

1/132

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Forget the white picket fence; the modern American family is a sprawling, vibrant tapestry where multigenerational homes, single-person households, and same-sex couples are just as central to the story as nuclear families, revealing a dynamic landscape defined by resilience, adaptation, and profound change.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, 64.1% of U.S. households were family households, comprising 83.4 million family households out of 130.1 million total households.
As of 2022, the average U.S. household size was 2.50 persons, down from 3.14 in 1970.
In 2021, 18.3% of U.S. households were single-person households, totaling about 37.9 million.
The U.S. marriage rate in 2021 was 6.1 per 1,000 population, up from 5.1 in 2020.
Divorce rate in the U.S. fell to 2.5 per 1,000 population in 2021 from 2.7 in 2019.
In 2022, 48% of U.S. adults were married, down from 72% in 1960.
In 2023, U.S. fertility rate was 1.62 births per woman, below replacement level of 2.1.
3.59 million babies born in U.S. in 2022, down 2% from 2021.
Childlessness by age 44: 21% of women in 2021 cohort.
Median family income for married couples with children was $123,500 in 2022.
10.4% of U.S. families lived in poverty in 2022.
Child care expenses consume 20% of family income for low-income families.
Mental health treatment access: 50% of families sought care in 2022.
Obesity rate in U.S. families: 42.4% of adults, 19.7% children in 2022.
Family vaccination rate for COVID-19: 70% fully vaccinated by 2023.

The American family is diversifying as traditional structures evolve into many modern forms.

Children and Education

In 2023, U.S. fertility rate was 1.62 births per woman, below replacement level of 2.1.
3.59 million babies born in U.S. in 2022, down 2% from 2021.
Childlessness by age 44: 21% of women in 2021 cohort.
Average age of mothers at first birth: 27.3 years in 2022.
40% of U.S. births in 2022 were to unmarried women.
Single-mother families: 15.1 million children lived with mother only in 2022.
Teen birth rate: 13.5 per 1,000 females aged 15-19 in 2022.
Adoption rate: 135,000 children adopted annually from foster care.
Homeschooled children: 3.7 million or 6.73% of school-age children in 2022.
Child care costs average $10,853 per year per child under 5 in 2023.
23% of children under 18 live in immigrant families in 2021.
Kindergarten enrollment: 79% of 5-year-olds in 2021.
Sibling size: 41% of Americans have one sibling, 33% have two or more.
IVF births: 83,305 babies from 326,468 cycles in 2021.
Children with disabilities: 15% of U.S. children aged 3-17 in 2022.
Only-child families: 22% of parents with one child in 2023 surveys.
Head Start enrollment: 833,000 low-income children in 2022.
Child support received by 44% of single-mother families in 2021.
College enrollment among 18-24 year olds: 40% in 2023.
Twin birth rate: 31.7 per 1,000 births in 2022.
Foster care children: 391,098 in care on Sept 30, 2022.
Parental leave: Only 23% of workers have paid family leave in 2023.
High school graduation rate: 87% for public school class of 2022.
Children in poverty: 15.5% or 11.0 million in 2022.
Screen time for kids 8-12: 4.4 hours daily recreational in 2021.

Children and Education Interpretation

The American family portrait for 2023 reveals a nation navigating a complex puzzle where the high costs of raising children, evolving social structures, and delayed parenthood are colliding with a stubbornly hopeful desire to build families through any means necessary.

Demographics and Structure

In 2023, 64.1% of U.S. households were family households, comprising 83.4 million family households out of 130.1 million total households.
As of 2022, the average U.S. household size was 2.50 persons, down from 3.14 in 1970.
In 2021, 18.3% of U.S. households were single-person households, totaling about 37.9 million.
Multigenerational living arrangements affected 18% of Americans in 2021, up from 12% in 1980.
In 2022, 34% of U.S. adults aged 25-34 lived in a parental home, compared to 12% in 1970.
Non-family households made up 35.9% of all U.S. households in 2023.
In 2020, 7.8 million U.S. households were headed by same-sex couples.
The share of U.S. households with children under 18 dropped to 36.9% in 2022 from 48.3% in 2000.
In 2021, 10.5% of U.S. households were grandparent-headed with no parents present.
Average family size in the U.S. was 3.13 persons in 2022.
In 2023, 15.2% of Americans lived alone, totaling 38.1 million people.
Households with five or more people accounted for 6.1% of all U.S. households in 2022.
In 2021, 59 million Americans lived in multigenerational households.
Unmarried partner households grew to 2.1% of all households in 2022.
In 2020, 25% of U.S. adults aged 18-29 lived with parents.
Family households with own children under 18 were 24.8% of total households in 2023.
In 2022, 8.4% of households were headed by someone 85 or older.
Shared households (three or more unrelated adults) were 17.8% of young adult households in 2021.
In 2023, 40.2 million households had no children under 18.
Households led by women maintaining families numbered 11.4 million in 2022.
In 2021, 28% of Black Americans lived in multigenerational households vs. 13% of whites.
Average household size for Hispanic families was 3.45 in 2022.
In 2020, 4.1% of households were cohabiting opposite-sex unmarried partners.
Empty-nest households (65+) with no children at home were 29 million in 2022.
In 2023, 22% of households included someone with a disability.
Nuclear family households declined to 43% of family households in 2021.
In 2022, 1.2 million households were same-sex married couples.
Households with opposite-sex unmarried partners totaled 6.9 million in 2022.
In 2021, 12% of Asian Americans lived in multigenerational homes.
Family households headed by men living alone with no wife present were 4.9 million in 2023.

Demographics and Structure Interpretation

While the nuclear family may be shrinking, the American household is not imploding but rather exploding into a diverse and adaptive ecosystem of multigenerational nests, solo voyages, and chosen kin, proving that "family" is less a fading blueprint and more a resilient, expanding menu of human connection.

Economic and Financial

Median family income for married couples with children was $123,500 in 2022.
10.4% of U.S. families lived in poverty in 2022.
Child care expenses consume 20% of family income for low-income families.
42% of mothers were primary or sole earners in 2023.
Student debt average for parents: $35,000 per family in 2022.
Homeownership rate for families: 65.2% in Q1 2024.
Alimony awarded in 10-15% of divorces, averaging $5,000/month.
Family net worth median: $192,700 for married couples in 2022.
18% of families carry credit card debt over $10,000 in 2023.
Dual-income families: 60% of married couples with children in 2022.
Food insecurity affected 13.5% of families with children in 2022.
Average 401(k) balance for families: $226,000 in 2023.
Housing costs exceed 30% of income for 42% of families in 2023.
Single-parent family median income: $45,000 vs. $103,000 married in 2022.
Emergency savings: Only 44% of families could cover 3 months expenses.
College savings in 529 plans: $500 billion total assets in 2023.
Family business ownership: 19 million businesses, 64% family-owned.
Medical debt: 14 million adults in families with debt over $1,000.
Wealth gap: White families median wealth $285,000 vs. Black $45,000 in 2022.
Gig economy: 36% of families have a gig worker in 2023.
Rent burden: 50% of renter families spend over 30% on rent.
Retirement savings gap: Families need $1.46 million, have $88,400 median.
Inflation impact: 62% of families cut spending due to inflation in 2023.
Life insurance coverage: 54% of families have adequate coverage.
Auto loan debt for families: Average $25,197 in 2023.
28% of low-income families have no bank account.

Economic and Financial Interpretation

The modern American family juggles a promising median income with a precarious reality, where substantial savings can sit uneasily beside pervasive debt, stark wealth gaps, and the constant pressure that a single emergency could unravel the delicate balance they've worked so hard to achieve.

Health and Social Well-being

Mental health treatment access: 50% of families sought care in 2022.
Obesity rate in U.S. families: 42.4% of adults, 19.7% children in 2022.
Family vaccination rate for COVID-19: 70% fully vaccinated by 2023.
Domestic violence: 10 million adults affected annually, 1 in 4 women.
Family caregiving: 53 million adults provide unpaid care in 2023.
Substance abuse in families: 18.7 million adults with alcohol use disorder.
Child abuse reports: 3.1 million in 2022, affecting 558,000 unique children.
Elder abuse: 1 in 10 older adults experienced in last year.
Family happiness: 85% of parents report being happy with family life.
Suicide rate: 14.2 per 100,000, higher in rural families.
Access to healthcare: 8.6% uninsured, mostly low-income families.
Sleep deprivation: 35% of parents get less than 7 hours nightly.
Loneliness epidemic: 52% of Americans report loneliness, higher in singles.
Family meals: 66% eat dinner together 5+ nights/week, linked to better health.
Opioid deaths in families: 80,000 annually impact family structures.
Physical activity: Only 23% of adults meet guidelines, lower with kids.
Mental illness prevalence: 22.8% of adults, affecting family dynamics.
Telehealth use by families: 40% in 2023 for routine care.
Social media impact: 81% of parents worry about teen usage.
Cancer survival rates improved to 68.7% for family members diagnosed 2014-2020.
Vaccine hesitancy: 28% of parents hesitant for child vaccines in 2023.
Heart disease: Leading cause, 695,000 deaths, family history risk factor.
Work-family balance stress: 60% of parents report high stress.
Dementia in families: 6.7 million aged 65+ with Alzheimer's in 2023.
Family resilience: 75% report strong family bonds post-pandemic.

Health and Social Well-being Interpretation

America is a family portrait of profound resilience and troubling neglect, where a majority of parents find happiness at the same kitchen table where statistics on loneliness, addiction, and untreated illness pull up a chair.

Marriage and Relationships

The U.S. marriage rate in 2021 was 6.1 per 1,000 population, up from 5.1 in 2020.
Divorce rate in the U.S. fell to 2.5 per 1,000 population in 2021 from 2.7 in 2019.
In 2022, 48% of U.S. adults were married, down from 72% in 1960.
Cohabitation rates among adults aged 18-44 rose to 15% in 2021.
First marriage median age for women was 28.6 years in 2021, for men 30.6.
40% of U.S. marriages end in divorce within 15 years, per 2022 data.
Interracial marriages accounted for 19% of new marriages in 2019.
Remarriage rate after divorce is 64% for women and 67% for men within 10 years.
In 2021, 6 million U.S. adults were cohabiting, up 29% since 2007.
Gray divorce (50+) rate doubled from 1990 to 2021, reaching 15 per 1,000.
25% of married couples in 2023 had one foreign-born spouse.
U.S. annulments totaled about 900 per year in recent data.
Satisfaction in marriage: 73% of married adults reported being very satisfied in 2022.
Never-married adults aged 25-54: 35% of men, 30% of women in 2021.
Common-law marriage recognized in 8 states, affecting 1% of couples.
Wedding costs averaged $30,000 in 2023 for U.S. couples.
14% of marriages in 2022 were interracial or interethnic.
Duration of first marriages averaged 20 years before divorce in 2021.
50% of children of divorce see parents remarry within 5 years.
LGBTQ+ marriage rate: 53% of same-sex couples married by 2022.
Adultery cited in 20-40% of U.S. divorces annually.
Median age at first divorce: 30 for women, 32 for men in 2021.
69% of divorces initiated by women in 2023 studies.
Marriage rate for college grads: 64% vs. 48% for non-grads in 2022.
7% of U.S. adults in polyamorous relationships in 2021 surveys.
Post-divorce co-parenting satisfaction: 40% report high cooperation.

Marriage and Relationships Interpretation

The American family is undergoing a meticulous renovation: while the classic marriage model is being thoughtfully redesigned for later, more diverse, and sometimes temporary occupancy, the foundational human desire for connection is simply building more extensions.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev