Young and Living Alone

Abstract

More than one-quarter (28%) of Minnesota households consist of a single person. This is slightly above the national rate of 27%. For Minnesota, this meant more than 584,000 households in 2010. These numbers do not include people living in institutional settings like dorms, prisons, or nursing homes. These are people living in their own homes or apartments. The number of one-person households has been relatively steady in recent years, but has not always been this high. In 1940 less than 8% of U.S. households consisted of a single person. That number grew to 13% in 1960, 23% in 1980, and 26% in 2000. Social Security and better health gave older people without a spouse more freedom to live on their own. Younger people are more likely to live on their own because of later marriages and higher divorce rates than in previous years. A relatively strong economy gives individuals the freedom to live alone if they want to…