DC is Major Center for Single Living

October 28, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Demographers say Washington is becoming the nation's mecca for singles as new census data shows living alone is becoming more prevalent.

Statistics released Tuesday show every jurisdiction in the Washington region has had a jump in single households. But the numbers were most stark in D.C. and Alexandria where nearly half of all households have just one person. Arlington was close behind.

The national average is 28 percent.

Brookings Institution demographer William Frey says the numbers show Washington is a major center for single living.

Experts say widowed baby boomers are staying in place. Also, there's less stigma attached to living alone. And young adults are spending time in Washington finishing their education and building their careers.

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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/