Generation X (2024)

FAQs

What is Generation X age range? ›

Generation X (circa 1965 to 1980) Millennial Generation (circa 1981 to 1996) Generation Z (circa 1997 to 2012)

The Silent generation describes adults born from 1928 through 1945. Children of the Great Depression and World War II, their “Silent” label refers to their conformist and civic instincts. It also makes for a nice contrast with the noisy ways of the anti-establishment Boomers.

As adolescents and young adults in the 1980s and 1990s, Xers were dubbed the "MTV Generation" (a reference to the music video channel), sometimes being characterized as slackers, cynical, and disaffected.

Most sources list the age range for the Gen Y demographic cohort between 1981 and 1997, though it can vary. The Pew Research Trust lists the birth date range as being from 1981 to 1996. William Strauss and Neil Howe, authors who coined the term “Millennials,” list the birth date range as being between 1982 and 2004.

Millennials – born 1980-1994. Generation Z – born 1995-2012. Gen Alpha – born 2013 – 2025.

Numbering 2 billion and counting, Gen Alpha (born 2010-2024) is expected to be the biggest generation in history. And even though its oldest members are only 14 years old, Gen Alpha is already an economic force to be reckoned with.

Baby boomers are the eldest, born between the years 1946 and 1964. Generation X follows, and they were born between 1965 and 1980. Next comes Generation Y (more commonly known as Millennials), born between roughly 1981 and 1994.

However, for those who were born in the early 80s—more specifically, between 1977 and 1985—and aren't part of Gen X or the millennial generation, your home lies as a Xennial. Fun Facts. The term for this microgeneration was coined in 2014 in Good Magazine, by Sarah Stankorb.

What is the best generation to be born in? ›

The Greatest Generation commonly refers to those Americans who were born in the 1900s through the 1920s. The Greatest Generation members lived through the Great Depression and many of them fought in World War II. These individuals have often been described as driven, patriotic, and team players.

“They are incredibly interested in encouraging individual choice while trying to remain engaged as parents.” Schiff agrees. “[Gen X parents] support their children's individualism and making their own choices. They encourage their children to be more independent and try new things.”

What is Generation X known for? Generation X is known as the “middle child” generation because of its small size in comparison with the baby boomer and millennial generations. Gen Xers are typically described as resourceful, independent, and good at maintaining work-life balance.

GenX kids lived through a period of divorces and single parenting becoming more common. A time where it also became more common for both parents to work jobs outside the home. Drugs, crime, AIDs, housing insecurity and crazy banking practices were also issues.