Illinois Teams Up with West Virginia and Utah Reveal Sharp Differences in Solo Living Across the United States

Illinois Teams Up with West Virginia and Utah Reveal Sharp Differences in Solo Living Across the United States, according to new Vivint research. Decatur leads with 41.7% single-occupant households, while Utah records significantly lower figures. The findings highlight regional housing patterns, personal security concerns and implications for independent travellers nationwide.

Illinois Leads US Solo Living Rankings as Decatur Tops New Study on Home Security and Independent Living, according to research by Vivint. The findings reveal significant regional differences in single-person households while highlighting security concerns among independent residents, offering important perspectives for accommodation providers, travellers and hospitality businesses nationwide.

A new study by home security company Vivint has identified major differences in solo living across the United States, with Illinois emerging as a leading location for single-occupant households. The findings also highlight how Americans living independently approach household security, offering useful insights for travellers, accommodation providers and the wider hospitality industry.

Most Likely to Live Alone

Illinois Emerges as a Leading State for Solo Living

Living alone has become an important feature of American household patterns, although its prevalence differs considerably between metropolitan areas.

According to the Home Alone Index published by Vivint, Decatur, Illinois, has the highest proportion of single-occupant households among the metropolitan areas analysed, at 41.7%.

The findings place Decatur ahead of Wheeling, which spans West Virginia and Ohio, where 39.9% of households have one occupant.

Champaign-Urbana, another Illinois metropolitan area, records the same percentage as Wheeling, at 39.9%.

These figures demonstrate the prominence of single-person households in several smaller metropolitan areas, particularly in parts of the Midwest.

However, the percentages represent the share of households occupied by one person, rather than the proportion of the total population living alone.

For the travel and hospitality industry, this distinction matters because household composition can influence accommodation preferences, spending decisions and the demand for services designed around individual customers.

Least Likely to Live Alone

Utah and California Record Lower Solo Living Rates

The research also identifies metropolitan areas where single-person households are considerably less common.

Provo-Orem-Lehi, Utah, records the lowest proportion among the areas highlighted, with just 12.2% of households occupied by one person.

Logan, which extends across Utah and Idaho, follows at 16.6%, while Visalia, California, records 17.2%.

The difference between Decatur and Provo-Orem-Lehi reaches 29.5 percentage points, illustrating substantial regional variation in American living arrangements.

Household size can reflect several influences, including housing affordability, demographic characteristics, family structures and local economic conditions.

Nevertheless, the Vivint findings do not establish which factors explain the differences between individual metropolitan areas.

For destination marketers, the geographical variation offers an additional perspective on how residential communities differ across the country.

Home Security Becomes an Important Concern for Solo Residents

Beyond identifying where Americans live alone, the research examines the security concerns associated with independent households.

Vivint combined US Census Bureau information on single-occupant households with a survey of 1,000 Americans.

Among respondents living alone, 13% reported losing sleep because of home security concerns during the previous year.

This suggests that household security remains a meaningful consideration for some people who manage their homes without another resident.

The research also found that approximately 7% of solo dwellers acknowledged not locking their doors every night.

Although this represents a minority of respondents, the finding highlights a gap between recognising potential security risks and consistently practising basic precautions.

Locking external doors, checking windows and maintaining reliable access controls remain fundamental steps in protecting residential properties.

The survey findings describe reported behaviour and concerns. They should not be interpreted as evidence that people living alone face higher burglary rates than other households.

What the Findings Mean for Solo Travel

The research primarily concerns residential living arrangements rather than travel behaviour. However, it raises questions relevant to the growing range of hospitality services designed for individual guests.

People accustomed to living independently may have established expectations about privacy, personal space and security when choosing temporary accommodation.

Hotels, serviced apartments and holiday rentals can address these expectations through transparent safety information and dependable property management.

Secure room access, functional door locks, well-maintained lighting and accessible reception services are practical features that can benefit guests travelling alone.

Accommodation providers should also ensure that emergency contact information is clearly communicated and that guests understand how to request assistance.

Importantly, Vivint’s research does not measure solo travel demand or demonstrate that residents of high-ranking metropolitan areas are more likely to take independent holidays.

Its relevance to tourism lies in the broader discussion of individual accommodation needs and security expectations.

Hotels and Holiday Rentals Can Strengthen Guest Confidence

Security is a fundamental element of the guest experience, particularly when travellers are unfamiliar with their surroundings.

For hotel operators, effective security begins with reliable access management, trained employees and established emergency procedures.

Holiday rental operators can provide reassurance by explaining check-in arrangements, confirming that doors and windows function properly and making assistance available when necessary.

Clear communication is equally important.

Guests should know whom to contact if they encounter a maintenance problem, lose access to their accommodation or notice suspicious activity.

Technology can support these measures through smart locks, electronic access systems and monitored communal entrances.

However, security technology must be implemented responsibly, with appropriate privacy protections and clear information about how personal data is handled.

These practices benefit all travellers, regardless of whether they live alone or share a household.

Practical Security Measures for Independent Travellers

Travellers leaving their homes unoccupied can take several precautions before departure.

Checking door and window locks, arranging for trusted contacts to monitor the property and avoiding public announcements about extended absences can reduce unnecessary exposure.

Timers for indoor lighting and professionally installed security systems may provide additional reassurance.

Travellers should also confirm that their accommodation offers suitable security arrangements before booking.

Reading recent guest reviews, checking official property information and understanding emergency procedures can help individuals make informed decisions.

For solo travellers, sharing essential itinerary information with a trusted contact can provide an additional layer of support without compromising independence.

These measures are particularly relevant when travelling internationally or staying in unfamiliar destinations.

A Wider Perspective on Independent Living and Tourism

The Home Alone Index illustrates how household composition differs across American metropolitan areas while highlighting everyday concerns among people living independently.

Decatur’s leading position and the comparatively low rates recorded in parts of Utah demonstrate that solo living is not distributed evenly across the United States.

For the travel industry, the findings reinforce the importance of recognising individual accommodation needs without assuming that living alone automatically translates into solo travel.

As hospitality providers refine their services, privacy, dependable security and clear guest communication remain essential elements of a comfortable travel experience.

The Vivint study highlights significant regional differences in American solo living, with Illinois recording some of the highest rates and Utah among the lowest. Beyond household statistics, the findings underline the importance of personal security, independent living preferences and accommodation safety, offering useful perspectives for the wider hospitality industry.

Vivint’s findings reveal substantial differences in solo living across American metropolitan areas, with Illinois leading and Utah recording lower rates. Although focused on households rather than tourism, the research highlights the value of reliable security, privacy and accessible assistance, considerations that remain important for independent travellers and accommodation providers.

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