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 — and one has been issued each year since — designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. In honor of our nation’s grandparents, the Census Bureau presents an array of data about these unsung role models and caregivers.

5.7 million
The number of grandparents whose grandchildren younger than 18 live with them. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

Grandparents as Caregivers

2.5 million
The number of grandparents responsible for most of the basic needs (i.e., food, shelter, clothing) of one or more of the grandchildren who live with them. These grandparents represent about 43 percent of all grandparents whose grandchildren live with them. Of these caregivers, 1.5 million are grandmothers, and 915,000 are grandfathers. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

1.7 million
The number of grandparent-caregivers who are married. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

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. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

912,000
Number of grandparents responsible for caring for their grandchildren for at least the past five years. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

496,000
Number of grandparents whose income is below the poverty level and who are caring for their grandchildren. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

753,000
Number of grandparents with a disability who are caring for their grandchildren. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

545,000
Number of grandparents who speak a language other than English and who are responsible for caring for their grandchildren. Of this number, 217,000 speak English very well. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

$40,359
Median income for families with grandparent-caregiver householders. If a parent of the grandchildren was not present, the median dropped to $30,246. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

73%
Percentage of grandparents who care for their grandchildren and who live in an owner-occupied home. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

28%
Among preschoolers with employed mothers, the percentage regularly cared for by their grandparent during the hours their mom works. <http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/childcare.html>

Grandchildren

5.7 million
The number of children living with a grandparent; these children comprise 8 percent of all children in the United States. The majority of these children, 3.7 million, live in the grandparent’s home. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/009842.html>

2.1 million
The number of children who live with both a grandmother and a grandfather. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/009842.html>