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Thanksgiving Facts about Americans and Family

  • Importance of Family Time

    • 73% of U.S. adults prioritize family time as crucial in their lives.
    • 90% of Americans consider family time either very important or one of the most important aspects of their lives.
    • This sentiment is consistent across various political affiliations, with about 90% of both Republicans and Democrats valuing family time.

  • Living Near Family

    • A significant majority (75%) believe living near family is important.
    • Breakdown by importance:
    • 36% say it's very important
    • 39% say it's somewhat important
    • Gender differences:
    • 42% of women consider it very important compared to 29% of men.
    • Age differences:
    • 44% of adults aged 65+ feel strongly about living near family, compared to 33% of those aged 18-29.

  • Proximity to Extended Family

    • 55% of Americans live within one hour's drive of at least some extended family.
    • Geography of family proximity:
    • 28% live within an hour of all/most extended family.
    • 20% do not live near any extended family.

  • Demographic Variations in Proximity

    • Education and Income:
    • 42% of adults with postgraduate degrees live nearby compared to 63% of those with a high school diploma or less.
    • Race and Ethnicity:
    • Only 18% of Asian Americans report living near all/most relatives versus 30-33% for other races.
    • Community Type:
    • 62% of rural adults live near family, more than urban (50%) or suburban (54%) adults.

  • Pets as Family

    • 62% of U.S. adults are pet owners, and 97% consider their pets family.
    • 51% regard their pets as equal family members.

  • Friendship Importance

    • 61% believe close friendships are essential for a fulfilling life, surpassing the value placed on having children (26%), wealth (24%), or being married (23%).
    • 53% have between one to four close friends, while 38% have five or more.

  • Political Conversations

    • 61% find discussing politics with opponents stressful rather than informative.
    • 65% often feel exhausted thinking about politics, and 55% feel angry about it, making it a delicate topic for family gatherings, particularly during Thanksgiving.