The Brief

LOS ANGELES - Nearly 50 years ago, the classic hallmarks of adulthood—moving out, getting a job, marrying, and having kids—were nearly synonymous with turning 30. Today, that’s no longer the case.

According to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau , only 21% of 25- to 34-year-olds in 2024 had reached all four of those milestones, a sharp drop from 45% in 1975. Instead, the most common path to adulthood today is economic rather than familial: 28% had moved out of their parents’ homes and joined the labor force, but had not necessarily married or had children.

The findings are based on an analysis of the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey data from 1975 and 2024. Researchers say the shift reflects changes in priorities, economic pressures, and evolving definitions o

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