The typical American adult lives only 18 miles (29 kilometres) from his or
her mother, according to an Upshot geographical analysis. Over the last few
decades Americans have become less mobile. This is particularly true of those
with less education and lower income.
The data showed that American families were close-knit, with members of
multiple generations helping each other for financial and practical support.
Social scientists think the trend will continue as baby boomers need care
in their old age, and the growing number of two-income families seek help with
child care and babysitting.
The median distance Americans live from their mother is 18 miles, and only
20% live more than a couple of hours’ drive from their parents. The biggest
determinants of how far people venture from home are education and income.
People with qualifications are more likely to live farther from their parents
than those with high school education, mainly due to travelling for work
opportunities.
In terms of states, Americans on the east coast live closer to their mother
than people on the west coast. People live farther apart in rural areas (central
America). For example, on the east coast people live 6-23 miles (10-37
kilometres) from their mother, people on the west coast live about 26 miles (42
kilometres) from their mother, and central (rural) Americans live about 44
miles (71 kilometres) from their mother.
Married people live farther from their mother than singles, and women are
slightly more likely than men to leave their home towns. Blacks are more likely
to live near their parents than whites, while Latinos are no more likely to
live near their parents than others, according to the data from the University
of Manitoba. Mexican-American households are more likely to provide in-person
care, while Euro-American households are more likely to provide financial
support, according to a sociology study at Boston College.
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