With more than 7,000 households in the year 2000, Whittier's average household size increased to 2.1 people per household, which is not far behind the city. While the number of people per household increased steadily from 1980, Whittier's household size increased at a faster rate since 1990.

The increase in household size is closely related to household composition. Between 1980 and 2000 the number of householders in Whittier living alone decreased, while there was an upsurge of families and households of people who live together but are not related to each other.

Since 1980, the proportion of householders living alone has steadily fallen. A higher percent of residents throughout the city live alone.

In the group of people 65 years old and older, the proportion living alone is declining since 1990. However, it is quite large and larger in Whittier than in the city.

The proportion of families with children in Whittier decreased from more than 61 percent in 1990 to 53 percent in 2000, still a larger concentration than the city as a whole. In the same time frame, the proportion of families with children increased very slightly throughout the city.

Since 1980 the number of people in group quarters (such as transitional housing or student dormitories) has tended to shrink while population in households increased. By 2000 Whittier's population in group quarters was about 5 percent, the same proportion as the City's.

Last updated Sep 27, 2011