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Facts for Features
CB05-FF.13-2 
September 6, 2005 
PDF Version - 75K  
             

Grandparents Day 2005: Sept. 11

Grandparents Day was the brainchild of Marian McQuade of Fayette County, W.Va., who hoped that such an observance might persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage of their grandparents. The first presidential proclamation was issued in 1978, with one issued each year since — designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. In honor of the nation’s grandparents, the Census Bureau presents an array of data about these unsung caregivers.
Grandparents enjoy some time on the porch with their grandson.

How Many Grandparents?

5.5 million
The number of grandparents whose grandchildren under 18 live with them. Most of these grandparents (4.2 million) maintain their own household.


Grandparents as Caregivers

2.3 million
The number of grandparents responsible for most of the basic needs (i.e., food, shelter, clothing) of one or more of the grandchildren they live with. These grandparents represent about 43 percent of all grandparents who live with their grandchildren. Of these caregivers, 1.5 million are grandmothers and 860,000 are grandfathers.

1.7 million
The number of grandparent-caregivers who are married.

Grandchildren

5.5 million
The number of children living with a grandparent; these children comprise 8 percent of all children in the United States. Of these children, 3.8 million lived in their grandparent’s home and 1.7 million in their parent’s home.

2.1 million
The number of children who resided with both a grandmother and a grandfather.

Recent research by the AARP reveals that more than 80 percent of the nation’s grandparents had visited or spoken with their grandchildren by phone in the past month. (Source: Hallmark research)

A grandmother and her two grandchildren enjoy a hug in their living room.1.4 million
The number of grandparents who are in the labor force and also responsible for most of the basic needs of their grandchildren.

910,000
Number of grandparents responsible for caring for their grandchildren for at least the last five years.

Remembering Grandma
and Grandpa

About 3 million
Number of Grandparents Day cards given, nationwide, each year. (Source: Hallmark research)

460,000
Number of grandparents whose income is below the poverty level and caring for their grandchildren.
Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau Facts for Features series:
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 17) &
       African-American History Month (February)
  • Valentine's Day (Feb. 14)
  • Women's History Month (March)
  • St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
  • Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
  • Older Americans Month (May)
  • Mother's Day (May 8)
  • Father's Day (June 19)
  • The Fourth of July (July 4)
  • Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities
       Act (July 26)
  • Back to School (August)
  • Labor Day (Sept. 5)
  • Grandparents Day (Sept. 11)
  • Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
  • Halloween (Oct. 31)
  • American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage
       Month (November)
  • Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
  • Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24)
  • The Holiday Season (December)

Individual source links for each statement herein may be accessed on the Internet at
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/005353..html>.

The photos herein may be downloaded and are available free for your use in all print and broadcast products.
Please credit the U.S. Census Bureau. For product information, call (301) 763-3011 or e-mail <pio.broadcast.services@census.gov>.

Editor’s note: Some of the preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office at (301) 763-3030; fax (301) 457-3670; or e-mail <pio@census.gov>.

 
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau | Public Information Office |  Last Revised: August 09, 2007