Analysis of Trends in Household Composition Using American Housing Survey Data

This report uses data from the American Housing Survey (AHS) to analyze changes in household composition from the 2003 survey through the 2009 survey (hereafter, from 2003 to 2009), particularly those changes that reflect an increase in doubled-up households. The term "other household member" is applied to people who are not the householder nor the householder’s spouse, partner, or minor children. Other household members include adult children, parents, grandchildren, siblings, and nonrelatives. Households containing other household members are labeled "doubled-up households." Census Bureau studies suggesting a link between the recession and the increase in doubled-up households motivated this research. The data reported here provide several indications that the recession and the preceding financial crisis had an effect on doubled-up households