Demographic, Economic, Household, and Health Profile of Grandparents Responsible for Grandchildren

The objective of this brief report was to outline the demographic, economic, household, and health profile of “grandparents responsible for grandchildren” (GRfGs) in the United States (US). Public Use Microdata Sample from the 2009–2011 American Community Survey 3-year file was used to investigate characteristics of GRfGs by race-ethnic groups and the geographical distribution over the US mainland (contiguous states). The 9,177 actual units in the microdata are estimated to represent about 306,122 GRfGs. Population profiles are presented in tables for GRfGs of any age and the characteristics for those aged 65 and over are discussed. Amongst GRfGs aged 65 and over (n = 33,168): 27 % have ambulatory difficulty; 33 % own their home free and clear; 77 % have resided in their current residence for more than 4 years; 41 % care for grandchild(ren) with the parent being absent; 61 % are married; 36 % have a college education; 77 % are not in the labor force; and the majority (55 %) are Non-Latino-Whites. Qualitative comparisons from descriptive statistics suggest race-ethnic minority GRfGs may be more economically and socially vulnerable than Non-Latino-Whites. Research on GRfGs and efforts on understanding how best to assist them should continue.