How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
- Details
- Written by: Paul Hemez and Jonathan Vespa
Moving out of the parental home, getting a job, tying the knot and having kids used to be the most common pathway to adulthood, with almost half of 25- to 34-year-olds having experienced all four milestones in 1975.
Nearly 50 years later, less than a quarter of U.S. adults this age had done the same.
Findings suggest that young adults today prioritize economic security over starting a family, reflecting the rising burden of housing, food, gas and other costs.
A newly released U.S. Census Bureau working paper explores changes in the shares of young adults who reached markers of adulthood.
Using 2005 and 2023 American Community Survey data, the paper examines societal and economic shifts — including higher education levels, more women in the workplace, higher living costs and more varied family structures — that may explain why fewer young adults are meeting these benchmarks.
Findings suggest that young adults today prioritize economic security over starting a family, reflecting the rising burden of housing, food, gas and other costs.
Experiencing key milestones tied to economic independence and family formation can influence how young men and women develop their identity as adults.
Over 80% of people surveyed said moving out of their parental home and over 90% said having a full-time job were key to becoming an adult, according to an analysis of General Social Survey questions in a 2017 Census Bureau report.
The Census Bureau updated this report, based on the Current Population Survey, with 2024 data, revealing different patterns in milestones of adulthood.
Most common combinations of young adult milestones in 2024
The figure below shows that in 1975, the largest share (45%) of young adults had moved out of their parents’ home, were working, had married and had children.
Over the decades, the most common milestones shifted from family to economic ones — being in the labor force and living independently but not being married or having kids. This described about 28% of young adults in 2024.
Top five combinations of milestones of adulthood: 1975 and 2024
Fifty years earlier, reaching only the economic milestones was the fourth most common experience for young people (6%).
As recently as a decade ago, the share of young adults reaching only economic milestones had not yet overtaken the combined four milestones as the most common experience, according to the 2017 report.
Economic milestones surpass marriage, having kids
The second most common pathway to adulthood in the 1970s was reaching three milestones: marriage, living with a child, and living in an independent household. This combination can represent a married parent who stays home to care for children.
However, as women in the paid labor force became more common, this combination dropped out of the top five most common pathways to adulthood. In fact, each of the top five combinations of milestones in 2024 involved participation in the labor force.
Other highlights
• The third most common combination in both 1975 and 2024 was living independently, being in the labor force and having married.
• The combination of living independently, being in the labor force and living with a child was not among the most common in 1975 but became one of the top five experiences by 2024, reflecting more varied family structures that don’t include marriage.
• The higher proportion of the “other” combination shows pathways to adulthood became more diverse over the nearly five-decade span.
The new working paper added education to the list of milestones to adulthood. Findings echoed that achieving economic markers became more common in recent years.
All comparative statements have undergone statistical testing and, unless otherwise noted, are statistically significant at the 90% confidence level. All data are subject to sampling, nonsampling, modeling and other errors.
The technical documentation provides more information on data collection, standards and accuracy.
Paul Hemez and Jonathan Vespa are statisticians in the Census Bureau’s Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, is seeking public input in developing a Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan.
The public is invited to participate in a virtual workshop to help guide the development of the management plan.
The two-hour session will provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the development process as well as the background and outline of the plan.
Participants will also have the chance to ask questions and share input with CDFW staff.
The session will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, on Zoom.
Input received during this scoping session will help guide the preparation of a draft plan, which CDFW anticipates releasing for public review early 2026.
The development of the Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan follows on the heels of the Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan for California and the Conservation and Management Plan for Bighorn Sheep in California, both of which were released in April 2025.
For more information about the Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan or the public input meeting, please contact Statewide Deer Coordinator Brian Leo at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife,
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake Senior Center has received some much-needed funding to help the community’s seniors navigate technology.
On Friday, AT&T presented Clearlake Senior Center with a $20,000 grant to support digital literacy training, personalized tech support and access to essential technology for Clearlake older adults.
On hand for the presentation were Clearlake Senior Center Executive Director Joyce Overton, District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, Clearlake Mayor Russ Cremer, center Board President Joyce Adams and Donna Davis, AT&T’s manager for external affairs.
The grant will support activities to bridge the digital divide including classes on basic computer skills and internet navigation to help older adults perform essential tasks, connect with loved ones and become comfortable with technology.
The Clearlake Senior Center is located at 3245 Bowers Road, Clearlake.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has a full shelter of dogs waiting for homes this week.
The dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of border collie, cattle dog, Chihuahua, Doberman, German shepherd, husky, Labrador Retriever, pit bull terrier, Rottweiler, terrier and shepherd.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
Those animals shown on this page at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
