Single Parent Statistics

Single Parent Statistics
From Jennifer Wolf,


Who is the "Average" Single Parent?:
When you think of the phrase "single parent," what comes to mind? Do you picture someone like yourself? You might be surprised to know how much you have in common with the "average" single parent.

According to Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2003, released by the U.S. Census Bureau in July, 2006, there are approximately 14 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.6 million children.

So what's the "average" single parent really like? According to the U.S. Census Bureau...

She is a Mother:

• 83.1% of custodial parents are mothers
• 16.9% of custodial parents are fathers

She is Divorced or Separated:

Of the mothers who are custodial parents:

• 45.9% are currently divorced or separated
• 30.5% have never been married
• 21.8% are married (In most cases, these numbers represent women who have remarried.)
• 1.7% were widowed

Of the fathers who are custodial parents:

• 56.4% are divorced or separated
• 23.1% are currently married (In most cases, these numbers represent men who have remarried.)
• 19.7% have never married
• 0.8% were widowed

She is Employed:

• 80% of custodial single mothers are gainfully employed
o 50.5% work full time, year round
o 29.6% work part-time or part-year
• 89.8% of custodial single fathers are gainfully employed
o 70.6% work full time, year round
o 19.2% work part-time or part-year

She and Her Children Do Not Live in Poverty:

• 26.1% of custodial single mothers and their children live in poverty
• 13.4% of custodial single fathers and their children live in poverty

She Does Not Receive Public Assistance:

• 30.3% of all single parents receive public assistance
• Only 8.4% of single parents receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

She is 40 Years Old or Older:

• 36.8% of custodial mothers are 40 years old or older

She is Raising One Child:

• 55.6% of custodial mothers are raising one child
• 44.4% have two or more children living with them