Percentage of children homeschooled rises from 3.3% to 11%

The number of children being homeschooled remained relatively static at about 3.3% for many years until the pandemic hit. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, that number increased to 11% by last fall. The survey was designed to distinguish between “genuine homeschooling” and virtual learning that takes place through a public or private school.

According to Mike Schneider in his article for AP News, homeschooling is expanding rapidly in some minority communities. For instance, among black households, the percentage homeschooling has risen to an astounding 16.1%.

Some states have seen especially dramatic increases. Alaska, where homeschooling was already popular, saw an increase from 9.6% to 27.5%. At the geographic extreme from Alaska, Florida saw an increase from 5% to 18.1%.

With so much homeschooling support available to families, it has clearly become a mainstream option. It will be interesting to see how many families stick with it as things return to some sort of normal.