COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — More young adults in Central Ohio are moving out of their parents’ homes compared to other parts of the U.S., according to a recent analysis. While living at home as a young adult is sometimes viewed as a “failure to launch,” it often reflects economic realities, cultural preferences, caregiving needs, and other factors.
In the Columbus area, only 12.5% of adults aged 25 to 34 were living with their parents as of 2023, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census data. This is well below the national rate of 17.7%. Nine of the 10 cities with the highest percentage of young adults living at home (all at least 29%) are located in California, Texas, or Florida.
The Midwest is identified by Pew as the region where adults are least likely to live with their parents. While cities like Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit slightly exceed the national average, most Midwestern cities — including Indianapolis (11.9%) and Des Moines (8.9%) — fall significantly below.
Columbus’ status as a younger city attracting new residents may contribute to these lower numbers, says Sarah Hayford, a sociology professor at Ohio State University and director of the university’s Institute for Population Research.
“Columbus is a city experiencing economic and population growth,” Hayford told Axios. “As a demographer, population mobility is key. Who’s moving to Columbus and who’s moving out, and how might patterns differ for newcomers versus those who have always lived here?”
Columbus’ median age was 36.9 in 2022, lower than the national median of 39 and significantly below cities like Cleveland (41.8) and Detroit (40.4), according to census data. This reflects the city’s demographics.
Pew notes that white adults are less likely to live with their parents than Asian, Hispanic, or Black adults, a significant factor in a city with a 53% white population and a growing immigrant community. “These racial differences are also tied to racial wealth gaps and variations in housing stock,” Hayford said.