Living together in the U.S.: 59% and 7%

The short answer

Here is what the sources show

In a Pew analysis, 59% of adults ages 18–44 had lived with an unmarried partner at some point. A separate Current Population Survey found that 7% of all adults were living with an unmarried partner at that time. These surveys used different dates and questions. They are not one rate.

59%: ages 18–44 had lived with an unmarried partner
50%: ages 18–44 had ever married
7%: of adults were currently cohabiting

Research articleUpdated Sep 2, 20264 min readBy The Pool Report Research Desk

See how many people have lived with an unmarried partner. See how many live with one now. The focus is the United States.

Ever cohabited and currently cohabiting are different

The 59% estimate asks adults ages 18–44 whether they had ever lived with an unmarried partner. The 7% estimate asks whether adults were living with an unmarried partner when surveyed.

Someone who lived with a partner years ago and is now married belongs in the first group but not the second. The figures are not contradictory.

Living together became more common over time

Pew reported that ever-cohabited among ages 18–44 rose from 54% in 2002 to 59% in the later NSFG analysis, while ever-married fell from 60% to 50%.

The source notes that the NSFG relationship history covers opposite-sex relationships for this analysis, a limitation that belongs beside the result.

Living together does not show relationship goals

A cohabiting couple may plan to marry, prefer not to marry, be testing compatibility, sharing costs, or following another path. The status alone does not reveal the reason.

Likewise, not currently cohabiting does not mean a person is single, available, or living alone.

Where this comes from

Sources we checked

Read the original sources behind these numbers. They show the group, date, and measure used.

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Pew Research Center
The Landscape of Marriage and Cohabitation in the U.S.
Analysis combining the National Survey of Family Growth, Current Population Survey, and a nationally representative attitudes survey.
Check the original source for its publication date.
Read the original source ↗

Common questions

What percentage of Americans have cohabited?

Among adults ages 18–44, Pew reported 59% had ever lived with an unmarried partner in its analysis of the National Survey of Family Growth.

What percentage are currently cohabiting?

Pew reported 7% of U.S. adults were living with an unmarried partner in the Current Population Survey measure it cited.

Does cohabiting mean engaged?

No. Household relationship status does not identify whether a couple is engaged or plans to marry.