by Calculated Risk on 9/25/2014 05:52:00 PM

From housing economist Tom Lawler:

ACS: Sharp Slowdown in Household Growth in 2013 Mainly Attributable to Fewer Folks Living Alone, Big Increases in “Doubling (and more) Up”

As I noted last week, ACS for 2013 suggested that there was a sharp slowdown in the growth of the number of households in 2013.

That sharp slowdown was not because of slower population growth, but instead was attributable to a significant jump in the average household size – though that in and of itself is not insightful, since if the growth rate in households is below the growth rate in the household population, ...

While I hope to send out a write up tomorrow, the table below I believe provides some significant insights into the jump in average household size/slowdown in household growth.

 The table compares changes in household populations and households for various households/relationships from 2012 to 2013 with annual average changes from 2010 to 2012. Certain really significant differences are in bold type.

Households and Household Populations by Various Types, ACS
				Annual Change
	2013	2012	2010	2012-2013	2010-2012 (Average)
Population in Households	308,099,169	305,885,362	301,362,366	2,213,807	2,261,498
Households	116,291,033	115,969,540	114,567,419	321,493	701,061
Average Household Size	2.649	2.638	2.630	0.012	0.004
Population in Family Households	256,991,641	255,379,222	252,364,729	1,612,419	1,507,247
Family Households	76,680,463	76,509,262	76,089,045	171,201	210,109
One-Person Households	32,242,369	32,256,217	31,403,342	-13,848	426,438
Population in 2+ Non-Family Households	18,865,159	18,249,923	17,594,295	615,236	327,814
2+ Non-Family Households	7,368,201	7,204,061	7,075,032	164,140	64,515
Population in Family Households	256,991,641	255,379,222	252,364,729	1,612,419	1,507,247
Householder, Spouse, Child	226,742,233	226,165,010	223,905,638	577,223	1,129,686
Other Relative (including In-Laws)	22,938,742	22,275,332	21,610,953	663,410	332,190
Nonrelatives	7,310,666	6,938,880	6,848,138	371,786	45,371
Population in 2+ Non-Family Households	18,865,159	18,249,923	615,236	615,236	8,817,344
Householder	7,368,201	7,204,061	7,075,032	164,140	64,515
Unmarried Partner	3,952,380	3,909,449	3,809,564	42,931	49,943
Other	11,447,016	11,045,862	10,519,263	401,154	263,300
Average Household Size, 2+ Non-Family Household	2.560	2.533	2.487	0.027	0.023
Roomer or boarder	1,694,477	1,567,268	1,595,106	127,209	-13,919
In Family Household	673,210	612,741	671,299	60,469	-29,279
In Non-Family Household	1,021,267	954,527	923,807	66,740	15,360
Housemate or Roommate	5,978,352	5,793,412	5,587,176	184,940	103,118
In Family Household	1,206,366	1,189,913	1,180,670	16,453	4,622
In Non-Family Household	4,771,986	4,603,499	4,406,506	168,487	98,497
Other non-partner/non-foster child Non-relative	3,813,499	3,435,254	3,129,423	378,245	152,916
In Family Household	2,097,727	1,895,833	1,796,638	201,894	49,598
In Non-Family Household	1,715,772	1,539,421	1,332,785	176,351	103,318