About 6 million children across the U.S. are living in households headed by grandparents or other relatives. About 4.5 million of these children in in grandparent-headed households. The remaining 1.5 million children live in households headed by other relatives such as aunts, uncles, siblings, or great-grandparents. These data are from the 2000 U.S. Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau also conducts annual research on a sample of the U.S. population which provides some detailed information about the characteristics of both children raised in grandparent- or other relative-headed families and about grandparents who are raising grandchildren.  These data are provided from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2006 American Community Survey. 

You can view these data on the Census Bureau’s American FactFinder at www.factfinder.census.gov. 

See Detailed Table B09006. Relationship to Householder for Children Under 18 Years in Households.

The corresponding 2000 Census Detailed Table is P28. Relationship by Household Type for the Population Under 18 Years.

The 2006 American Community Survey and 2000 Census tables are available for the U.S., all states, the District of Columbia, and many sub-state areas.

In 2006, for the first time, more than 6 million grandparents in the U.S. were living with their grandchildren under 18.  Nearly 2.5 million of these grandparents were responsible for their grandchildren.

To see information about grandparents, view 2006 American Community Survey Subject Table S1002 on American FactFinder.

To see information about grandchildren, view 2006 American Community Survey Subject Table S1001 on American FactFinder.