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Summary
- The average number of vehicles per U.S. household has increased steadily
- Most households have two vehicles, even those with more than two drivers
- Road fatalities and injuries follow the same trends as vehicle ownership
Increase in Car Ownership: Average Cars per Household
In 1969, the average American household had about 1.16 cars. At this time, the economy was growing and suburbs were expanding, which increased the demand for cars. By 1977, the average rose to 1.59 cars per household due to a strong post-war economy and continued growth of the suburbs, making it more popular to own more than one car.
Technological Advancements and Rising Accessibility
The 1980s and 1990s continued to see a rise in average cars per household. By 1983, the average was 1.68, and this number slightly increased to 1.77 by 1990 and 1.78 by 1995. These years were marked by significant advances in car technology and manufacturing, making cars more affordable and attractive to own.
Peak and Dip of How Many Cars per Household in the New Millennium
The turn of the millennium marked the peak of car ownership growth. In 2001, the average number of cars per household reached 1.89, driven by continued economic prosperity and the increasing availability of auto financing options. However, this peak was followed by a slight decrease in 2009, with the average falling to 1.86. This dip can be attributed to the global financial crisis of 2008, which caused economic downturns and reduced consumer spending on vehicles.
Economic Recovery and Modern Changes
By 2017, the average number of cars per household had slightly increased to 1.88. This stabilization reflects improvements in the economy, as well as changes in urban planning and public transportation that started to affect car ownership.
In 2022, car ownership again dipped, with the average number of cars per household dropping slightly. The statistics do not provide a definitive explanation for the dip. However, the Summary of Travel Trends report suggests a combination of factors as the cause, such as the post-pandemic economic slowdown, a drop in leisure travel and an increase in telework in 2021 and 2022.
Road Safety and Average Cars per Household
A study prepared for the International Transport Forum made an interesting connection. It determined that when car ownership numbers flattened or fell, the number of car accidents and fatalities followed the same trend.
According to the charts in the report, this phenomenon happened in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis. Presumably, it may appear again when the post-pandemic vehicle ownership numbers and road safety data are analyzed.
Drops in traffic injuries and deaths benefit everyone. Car accidents can cause significant economic losses on a national and household level. Even when accident victims negotiate a car accident settlement, their lost productivity affects their employers, which ripples through the economy.
Learn More About Road Safety From ConsumerShield
Trends in the economy tend to affect how many cars per household Americans have, and the number of cars on the road can impact how many crashes occur. Traffic accidents are an unfortunate possibility in any circumstances, however.
When a crash happens, it’s important to understand your rights. ConsumerShield educates people about their legal options and connects them with lawyers who can help. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
