Generation Y: America’s New Housing Wave

Author:  M. Leanne Lachman and Deborah L. Brett

Published:  May 2010

In 2010, generation Y surpassed the baby boomers to become America’s largest generation. Over the next 20 years, this 77.4 million–member group will continue to grow as immigrant counterparts arrive in the United States. Gen-Yers are currently 15 to 32 years old, are moving into apartments and buying homes, and will dominate residential demand for much of their lives—similar to the boomers’ impact over the last 45 years. Today’s young adults are not getting the attention they deserve, especially in light of the fact that they account for 25 percent of America’s population.