Young Adults, Then and Now

• More Millennials are living in poverty and fewer are employed, compared with Baby Boomers in 1980

• The share of young adults that are racial or ethnic minorities has doubled over the last 30 years

• 1 in 4 young adults speaks a language other than English at home

• Unlike prior generations of young adults, the majority of Millennials have never been married

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

While the U.S. Population Is Growing, the Share of Young Adults Is Shrinking

67 73

227

312

1980 2009–2013

U.S. PopulationYoung Adults, 18–34

In Millions

2

Change in Earnings for Full-Time Workers, Compared to 1980

$-2,000

$-1,000

0

$1,000

$2,000

2009-201320001990

Young Adults Earn $2,000 Less Today Than Young Adults Did in 1980

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

3

Median Earnings for Full-Time Workers, 18-34 Years Old

0

$24,000

$28,000

$32,000

$36,000

$40,000

2009-2013200019901980

Young Adults Earn $2,000 Less Today Than Young Adults Did in 1980

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

4

MI

OH

WVVA

DC

WY

AK

MD

MA

How Young Adult Earnings Compared to 1980

Note: Some states do not significantly differ from others.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

Median Earnings for Full-Time WorkersCompared to 1980:

GainLoss

IL

MT

NE

KS

OK

WI

IN

KY

TN

GA

NC

SC

RI

SD

AR

MS

NDMN

DE

LA

MO

IA

AL

ME

HI

PA

ID

OR

WA

NV

AZNM

UTCO

NJ

CT

VT

NH

FL

CA

NY

TX

5

Young Adults Today Are More Likely to Have a College Degree, But More Also Live in Poverty

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

Percent With aBachelor's Degree

Percent In Poverty

19802009–2013

14%

20%

16%

22%

18–34 Year Olds in:

6

MI

INOH

NV

FL

CA

Living in Poverty or With Parents(States That Experienced Some of the Largest Growth in Poverty or Living With Parents Since 2000)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

Live With ParentsLive in Poverty

Percent of 18–34 Year Olds:

28%

24%

22%22%

35%

35%

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Percent Minority

PercentSpeaks Language Other Than

English at Home

Percent Foreign Born

18-34 Year Olds in:19802009–2013

Fewer Young Adults Today Are White, Speak Only English at Home, or Were Born in the US

6%

15%

11%

25%

22%

43%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

8

Today, More Young Adults Live With Parents and Are Never Married

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009–2013 and decennial census 1980, 1990, 2000.

Never marriedLive with parents

23%

30%

42%

66%

Percent of 18–34 Year Olds in:

20131980

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