Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals significant changes in family dynamics and living situations in the early 2020s compared to the late 2010s, likely influenced by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of grandparents living with and caring for their grandchildren, along with a decline in preschool enrollment for young children. Additionally, more people have chosen to remain in their homes during this period.
The findings, drawn from the most extensive survey of American life, contrast data from 2014-2018 with 2019-2023, covering the timeline before and during the pandemic. The American Community Survey explores over 40 different topics, including ancestry, fertility, marital status, veterans’ status, disability, housing, and commuting patterns. This extensive research provides a comprehensive view of how pandemic-related challenges and other societal issues, such as the opioid crisis, have transformed lives and family relationships across the nation.
One major reason for the decline in grandparents taking care of grandchildren is likely linked to a decrease in opioid-related deaths in recent years. As substance abuse has often forced grandparents into this caregiving role, the reduced substance dependency has alleviated some of this burden. Susan Kelley, a professor emerita at Georgia State University, noted that the number of incarcerated women has also declined, contributing to this trend.
Kelley emphasizes that grandparents often find themselves in caregiving situations for tragic reasons, such as loss, incarceration, or mental health struggles related to substance abuse. “While many grandparents excel in this role, they still face significant socioeconomic and emotional challenges,” Kelley added.
Furthermore, a stronger economy may have played a role in the decline of grandparents living with their grandchildren, dropping from 7.2 million to 6.8 million. With fewer adult children seeking housing assistance from their parents, the financial stability of young families seems to influence this dynamic.
The Census Bureau also highlighted that decreased preschool enrollment is largely due to parents hesitating to send their children to school and the closure of many educational institutions during peak pandemic times. “These data illustrate the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood education patterns,” the bureau stated in another report. Future studies will help determine if this trend continues long-term or if enrollment numbers will recover to previous levels.
As Americans age, the median age has risen from 37.9 to 38.7 years, and the proportion of senior citizens has increased from 15.2% to 16.8%. Additionally, connectivity in households has improved, with nearly 95% of homes owning a computer, up from 89%, and nearly 90% having broadband access, up from 80%.
The recent timeframe has also seen fewer people relocating, as climbing home values and a scarcity of available houses for sale have made moving less appealing. The increase in home values by 21.7% has led to a median home price surge from $249,400 to $303,400 nationwide. In affluent vacation destinations, the rise in property values has been even more staggering; for example, the median price in Aspen, Colorado, skyrocketed from $758,800 to $1.1 million, while Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts saw an increase from $812,400 to $1.1 million.
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