Earlier this week, I wrote about the drop in the rate of homeownership, now at its lowest level since 1997. One of the biggest reasons for the overall drop is the falloff in the number of new households.

The Census Bureau reports that the rate at which Americans set themselves up in new homes or apartments is recovering slightly, but its growth is still down considerably from prerecession levels.

New household growth typically comes from young adults moving out on their own, but the recession has resulted in many of them being forced to move back in with Mom and Dad.

The weak job market is largely to blame. College and post-college graduates who can’t find jobs and are carrying student loan debt are finding additional expenses like rent or a mortgage unattainable.

According to the Pew Research Center, more than a fifth of young adults between age 25 and 34 live with their parents, the highest level since the 1950s. The job market has been slowly improving for young people, but analysts say that due to the effects of the recession, many young people are also delaying the responsibilities of adulthood and choosing to stay in school longer or live with their parents rather than finding a place of their own.

As the job market continues to improve, these analysts believe, young adults will fly the coop and begin setting up households, which will improve the housing market.

Do you live with your parents, or do your adult children live with you because they can’t afford their own place?

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