Boomerangnation

DID YOU KNOW?

63 Percent of U.S. College Students Plan to Live at Home after Graduation
18 Million Eighteen to Thrity-Four Year Olds Currently Live at Home

With the increase in the cost of living, weak job outlook, credit card debt, and exorbitant student loans, more and more young adults are opting to move back home rather than braving life on their own. The Boomerang population has been growing steadily since the late 1970s, but today's numbers far exceed anything we've seen before.

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GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT

Myth: College graduation marks the beginning of domestic and financial independence.

Fact: 63 percent of U.S. college students plan to live at home after graduation.

Myth: Boomerangers are always a financial burden on their families.

Fact: About 50% of Boomerangers contribute to household rent and expenses.

Myth: Living at home is a sign of failure.

Fact: 25% of the Boomerang population is attending a post-secondary institution, and 45% are working full time (Mitchell, 1998).

Myth: The return home is a temporary, one-time event.

Fact: Some families reported kids who boomeranged three or more times. Half of young adults return within 30 months, often with a spouse or child back in tow. (Snyder, 2000)

Myth: Parents are always unhappy with having to change their lifestyle.

Fact: 73% of parents (Mitchell and Gee, 1998) reported being "very satisfied"

Myth: The Boomeranger phenomenon will decrease over time.

Fact: As Generation Y reaches adulthood, there will be more 20- to 34-year-olds in 2010 than in 2000, increasing the number of Boomerangers (US Census Bureau).