Older adults who live alone are far more likely to be in poverty than those in other living arrangements | Pew Research Center

December 3, 2025

A smaller share of older U.S. adults live alone today than in 1990

Older adults who live alone are far more likely to be in poverty than those in other living arrangements

Older adults who live alone are far more likely to be in poverty than those in other living arrangements

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Older adults who live alone are far more likely to be in poverty than those in other living arrangements

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A smaller share of older U.S. adults live alone today than in 1990
Since 1990, older women have become less likely to live alone, while older men have become more likely to do so
Older adults who live alone are far more likely to be in poverty than those in other living arrangements
How the living arrangements of older U.S. adults have changed in recent decades
Older Black adults, those ages 85 and older are the most likely to live alone
A record share of older U.S. adults are married and living with a spouse – due to an increase among women
Since 1990, a rising share of older U.S. adults are living in a multigenerational household