What does this household size ranking show?

It orders states by Average people per occupied household. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

U.S. Census Bureau ACS Table B25010 supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Rankings · Place

Highest household size by state

Average people per occupied household.

This measure has no better end. The order describes the states, it does not rank them — see the other direction.

Average number of people living in an occupied housing unit. Vacant homes and people living in group quarters—such as dormitories, prisons, and nursing facilities—are outside this measure. It is an average, not a median or a typical family size. County figures use ACS 5-year data; state figures use ACS 1-year data.

How to read this ranking

Utah has the highest published household size in this comparison, at 2.91. The next states shown are Hawaii (2.85) and California (2.79).

The table orders 51 states by average people per occupied household. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. Average number of people living in an occupied housing unit. Vacant homes and people living in group quarters—such as dormitories, prisons, and nursing facilities—are outside this measure. It is an average, not a median or a typical family size. County figures use ACS 5-year data; state figures use ACS 1-year data.

1Utah2.91
2Hawaii2.85
3California2.79
4Texas2.68
5New Jersey2.63
6Nevada2.61
7Idaho2.60
8Alaska2.59
9Georgia2.59
10Maryland2.55
11Florida2.50
12Arizona2.49
13Delaware2.49
14Virginia2.49
15Oklahoma2.48
16Washington2.46
17Connecticut2.45
18New York2.45
19New Mexico2.44
20Alabama2.43
21Illinois2.43
22Indiana2.43
23Massachusetts2.43
24Mississippi2.43
25Louisiana2.42
26Tennessee2.42
27Arkansas2.41
28Michigan2.40
29New Hampshire2.40
30South Carolina2.40
31Kansas2.39
32Kentucky2.39
33Minnesota2.39
34North Carolina2.39
35Oregon2.39
36Nebraska2.38
37Rhode Island2.38
38Missouri2.37
39Montana2.36
40Pennsylvania2.36
41Colorado2.35
42Ohio2.35
43Iowa2.34
44South Dakota2.33
45West Virginia2.32
46Wisconsin2.29
47Wyoming2.24
48Maine2.21
49North Dakota2.19
50Vermont2.18
51District of Columbia2.02

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Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Average people per occupied household. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: U.S. Census Bureau ACS Table B25010. States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS Table B25010. · How this is built

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