A Demographic Peak at Those Living Alone

Friday, July 29, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

In 2014, approximately 28% of households consisted of one person living alone, up from 26% in 2000, 25% in 1990 and 23% in 1980. The gradual increase has implications for housing demand given that individuals traditionally require less space than families or roommate situations. However, it is critical to analyze the dynamic at the age-cohort level given that younger and older adults living alone typically require different housing.

For instance, in 2014, 53% of 25-29 year olds that lived alone resided in a traditional multi-family building, followed by 28% in a single-family home and the remainder split between 2-4 unit multi-family (16%) and manufactured housing (3%).

Conversely, only 23% of 65-69 year olds living alone resided in traditional multi-family versus 60% in a single-family home. Standing in between, 51% of 45-49 year olds living alone did so in a single-family unit versus 30% in a traditional multi-family building.

Given the aging of the baby boomers and the increasing share of older households over the next decade, it is important to realize that it is not necessarily a headwind to single-family housing.

A Demographic Peak at Those Living Alone

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