U.S.: number of households 1960-2021

How many households are in the U.S.?

In 2021, there were 129.93 million households in the United States. This is a significant increase from 1960, when there were 52.8 million households in the U.S.

What counts as a household?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a household is considered to be all persons living within one housing unit. This includes apartments, houses, or single rooms, and consists of both related and unrelated people living together. For example, two roommates who share a living space but are not related would be considered a household in the eyes of the Census. It should be noted that group living quarters, such as college dorms, are not counted as households in the Census.

Household changes

While the population of the United States has been increasing, the average size of households in the U.S. has decreased since 1960. In 1960, there was an average of 3.33 people per household, but in 2020, this figure had decreased to 2.53 people per household. Additionally, two person households make up the majority of American households, followed closely by single-person households.

Number of households in the U.S. from 1960 to 2021 (in millions)

Characteristic	Number of households in millions
2021	129.93
2020	128.45
2019	128.58
2018	127.59
2017	126.22
2016	125.82
2015	124.59
2014	123.23
2013	122.46
2012	121.08
2011	118.68
2010	117.54
2009	117.18
2008	116.78
2007	116.01
2006	114.38
2005	113.34
2004	112
2003	111.28
2002	109.3
2001	108.21
2000	104.71
1999	103.87
1998	102.53
1997	101.02
1996	99.63
1995	98.99
1994	97.11
1993	96.39
1992	95.67
1991	94.31
1990	93.35
1989	92.83
1988	91.07
1987	89.48
1986	88.46
1985	86.79
1984	85.41
1983	83.92
1982	83.53
1981	82.37
1980	80.78
1979	77.33
1978	76.03
1977	74.14
1976	72.87
1975	71.12
1974	69.86
1973	68.25
1972	66.68
1971	64.78
1970	63.4
1960	52.8