This report looks at changes in young adulthood over the last 40 years. It focuses on how the experiences of today’s young adults differ, in timing and degree, from what young adults experienced in the 1970s—how much longer they wait to start a family, how many have gone to college, and who are able to live independently of their parents. This report looks at a snapshot of the young adult population, defined here as 18 to 34 years old, and focuses on two periods: 1975 and today (using data covering 2012 to 2016 to reflect the contemporary period). Many of the milestones of young adulthood are reflected in the living arrangements of young people: when they move out of their parents’ home and when they form families. Because these milestones are tied to young adults’ economic security, the report also focuses on how education and work experience vary across young adult living arrangements.

Others in Series

Publication

Congressional Elections and the American Electorate: 1978–2014

July 16, 2015

This report provides analysis of the American electorate in congressional elections since 1978.

Publication

Educational Attainment in the United States: 2015

March 29, 2016

This report examines educational attainment by demographic and social characteristics based on data collected from the Current Population Survey.

Publication

Characteristics of Voters in the Presidential Election of 2016

October 2018

This report provides analysis of voters in presidential elections since 1980, with a focus on the election of 2016.

Related Information

Families and Households Publications

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