According to recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, trends regarding grandparents living with grandchildren, preschool enrollment, and residential mobility have shifted significantly in the early 2020s compared to the latter part of the 2010s. These changes are largely attributed to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The findings come from the American Community Survey, which examines a broad array of subjects through a sample of 3.5 million households. The analysis compares two distinct periods: 2014-2018 (prior to the pandemic) and 2019-2023 (during the pandemic). Notably, the data reflects how family dynamics and living arrangements have evolved in light of the pandemic and other pressing social issues, including the opioid crisis.
One of the striking observations is the reduction in the number of grandparents raising their grandchildren, which has decreased from 7.2 million to 6.8 million. Experts suggest that this trend may correlate with the stabilization and eventual decline of opioid-related fatalities, which previously compelled many grandparents to take on caregiving roles. Additionally, a decrease in the number of incarcerated women could have influenced this trend, according to Susan Kelley, a professor emerita of nursing at Georgia State University.
Kelley noted, “It’s rare for positive circumstances to lead grandparents to take on this responsibility. Most often, it arises from challenging situations in an adult child’s life, such as death, incarceration, or mental health struggles linked to substance abuse. While many grandparents find fulfillment in this role, they still face significant socioeconomic and emotional challenges.”
The economic recovery seems to have also played a role in this decline. As the economy improved, adult children were less likely to rely on their parents for housing assistance, thereby reducing the number of grandparents living with grandchildren.
The data also highlights a downturn in preschool enrollment among young children, attributed to a reluctance from parents to send their children to school during the pandemic, along with widespread school closures. The Census Bureau remarked, “These data illustrate the significant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood education patterns. Future investigations will reveal whether this is the beginning of a lasting trend or if enrollment will rebound to previous levels.”
Additionally, the population is aging, with the median age rising from 37.9 to 38.7 and the percentage of senior citizens increasing from 15.2% to 16.8%. There has also been a notable surge in household access to technology, with nearly 95% of homes having computers, up from approximately 89%, and almost 90% having broadband internet, an increase from 80%.
Moreover, the period analyzed reflects a drop in residential mobility, with fewer people relocating. This trend is often linked to soaring home values and a limited housing supply. Home values have seen a significant rise of 21.7%, with vacant properties decreasing from 12.2% to 10.4%. Nationwide, the median home price jumped from $249,400 to $303,400.
In affluent vacation regions, the increases were even steeper; for instance, the median home value in Aspen, Colorado, soared from $758,800 to $1.1 million, while in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, it surged from $812,400 to $1.1 million.