2007 KIDS COUNT Data Book Online >
Summary and Findings
Percent of Children in Single-Parent Families
Much of the public interest in family structure is linked to the fact that children growing up in single-parent families typically do not have the same economic or human resources available as those growing up in two-parent families. In 2005, 33 percent of single-parent families with related children had incomes below the poverty line, compared to 7 percent of married-couple families with children. Only about one-third of female-headed families reported receiving any child support or alimony payments in 2004. Beyond poverty, children in divorced and single-parent families have less parental interaction and are less likely to be interested in school and participate in extracurricular activities than children in married-couple families. This puts them at greater risk for poor academic performance, suspension from (or dropping out of) school, and anti-social behavior.
- Nearly 21.7 million children lived in singleparent families in 2005.
- Nationwide, there was a slight increase in the percent of children living in single-parent families, from 31 percent in 2000 to 32 percent in 2005.
- During this period, 9 states recorded a decrease in the percent of children living in single-parent families, 12 states and the District of Columbia reported no change in this measure, while the situation worsened in 29 states.
- In 2005, the Percent of Children in Single- Parent Families ranged from a low of 18 percent in Utah to a high of 47 percent in Mississippi.
- Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of black children live in single-parent families, compared to a little more than one-third (36 percent) for Latinos and slightly less than one-fourth (23 percent) for non-Hispanic whites.
