EMBARGOED UNTIL: 10 A.M. EST, NOVEMBER 26, 1996 (TUESDAY) Public Information Office CB96-195 301-457-3030/301-457-3670 (fax) 301-457-4067 (TDD) e-mail: pio@census.gov Ken Bryson 301-457-2465 FAMILY COMPOSITION CHANGING, CENSUS REPORT SHOWS Significant changes in America's household and family composition have occurred in the past 25 years with a smaller than ever proportion of traditional two-parent families with children, according to a new report, "Household and Family Characteristics: March 1995," P20-488, issued today by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. Also, childless couples, single-parent families, and people living alone have become increasingly common, the report said. "The increasing diversity of household types continues to challenge our efforts to measure and describe American society," says Ken Bryson, author of the report. "The 'typical' household is an illusion," he added. Following are other changes from 1970 to 1995, for America's households and families: 1970 1995 Married couples with children Married couples with children made up 40 percent of make up 25 percent of households. households. There were 3.14 people per There are 2.65 people per household. household. One out of every five Only one out of every 10 households had five or more households has five or more people. people. People living alone made up People living alone make up one-sixth of households. one-fourth of the households. 5.6 million families were 12.2 million families are maintained by women with no maintained by women with no husband present. husband present. 1.2 million families were 3.2 million families are maintained by men with no maintained by men with no wife wife present. present. Two out of three households Four out of five households were in metropolitan areas. are in metropolitan areas. 44 percent of families had no 51 percent of the families own children under 18 at home. have no own children under 18 at home. A "household" is an individual or a group of people who occupy a housing unit, whereas a "family" is a group of two or more people, one of whom is the householder, living together, who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Information in this is report is based on March Current Population Survey results for 1970, 1980, 1990, and 1995. The Current Population Survey is a monthly household survey used primarily to collect information on the nation's work force, and is subject to sampling error.-X-The Census Bureau--preeminent collector and provider of timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States. In over 100 surveys annually and 20 censuses a decade, evolving from the first census in 1790, the Census Bureau provides official information about America's people, businesses, industries, and institutions.
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