When it comes to spending, younger and older Americans take a backseat to those in the middle, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Households headed by a person under the age of 35 make up 26% of the total, but these families account for less than 23% of total consumer spending. Households headed by someone aged 65 or older account for more than 20% of the total, but less than 15% of spending.

Households headed by those 35 to 64 years old are the largest share of the population ¾ 53% ¾ and they do the bulk of the spending at 63%.

Publication date: 10/10/2000