Grandparents Raising Kids in Decline Due to Pandemic

The number of U.S. grandparents living with and caring for grandchildren declined in the first part of the 2020s compared to the late 2010s, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released on Thursday.

This trend reflects broader societal shifts, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in family dynamics.

The survey revealed that the number of grandparents raising grandchildren dropped from 7.2 million to 6.8 million during this period.

Experts attribute this to a reduction in opioid-related deaths, which often leave grandparents as caregivers, and a decline in the incarceration of women.

“It’s very rarely for positive reasons that grandparents find themselves in this situation. Usually, it’s a tragic situation in an adult child’s life, either a death, incarceration or mental health issues which correlate with substance abuse,” said Susan Kelley, professor emerita of nursing at Georgia State University.

A stronger economy may also have played a role, making it less necessary for adult children to seek housing assistance from their parents, Kelley added.

Why Did Preschool Enrollment Decline?

The pandemic significantly impacted early childhood education, leading to a decline in preschool enrollment.

Many parents were unwilling to send young children to school during the height of COVID-19, while numerous preschools temporarily shut down.

“The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on patterns of early childhood education,” the Census Bureau said.

The long-term effects remain uncertain, with future studies needed to determine whether enrollment will return to pre-pandemic levels.

What Other Changes Did the Data Show?

The average American age continued to increase, with the median age rising from 37.9 to 38.7 years. The share of over people aged over 65 increased from 15.2 percent to 16.8 percent of the population.

Meanwhile, the percentage of households with a computer rose to almost 95 percent, and broadband access jumped to nearly 90 percent, up from 80 percent in the earlier period.

The data also showed fewer people moving homes. Rising home values and limited availability of properties contributed to this trend, with home values increasing by 21.7 percent. The median home value nationwide climbed from $249,400 to $303,400.

Housing Markets See Dramatic Shifts

In wealthy vacation areas, home value increases were even more pronounced. In the county home to Aspen, Colorado, values surged from $758,800 to $1.1 million. Similarly, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, median values jumped from $812,400 to $1.1 million.

These findings, based on the American Community Survey, underscore how the pandemic and other factors reshaped American life in the 2020s.

This article includes additional reporting from The Associated Press