Grandparents Day was the brainchild of Marian McQuade of Fayette County, W.Va., who hoped that such an observance might persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage of their grandparents. The first presidential proclamation was issued in 1978, with one issued each year since — designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. In honor of the nation’s grandparents, the Census Bureau presents an array of data about these unsung caregivers.

5.5 million
The number of grandparents whose grandchildren under 18 live with them. Most of these grandparents (4.2 million) maintain their own household.

 

Grandparents as Caregivers

2.3 million
The number of grandparents responsible for most of the basic needs (i.e., food, shelter, clothing) of one or more of the grandchildren they live with. These grandparents represent about 43 percent of all grandparents who live with their grandchildren. Of these caregivers, 1.5 million are grandmothers and 860,000 are grandfathers.

1.7 million
The number of grandparent-caregivers who are married.

5.5 million
The number of children living with a grandparent; these children comprise 8 percent of all children in the United States. Of these children, 3.8 million lived in their grandparent’s home and 1.7 million in their parent’s home.

2.1 million
The number of children who resided with both a grandmother and a grandfather.

Recent research by the AARP reveals that more than 80 percent of the nation’s grandparents had visited or spoken with their grandchildren by phone in the past month. (Source: Hallmark research)

910,000
Number of grandparents responsible for caring for their grandchildren for at least the last five years.

About 3 million
Number of Grandparents Day cards given, nationwide, each year. (Source: Hallmark research)