Census Bureau Facts for Features
A product of the U.S. Census Bureau's Public Information Office
CB00-FF.07 June 05, 2000 Father's Day, 2000: June 18 The Census Bureau estimates that there were 60.1 million fathers age 15 and over nationwide as of 1996. These fathers had an average of 1.6 children each. Two-Parent Versus Single-Father Families -- Following are some social and economic indicators for children living with both parents and those living with a single father. Unless otherwise indicated, the data are for 1998: Children living with both parents: Children living with their father only: There were 48.6 million such children, There were 3.1 million such children, not statistically different from the triple the 1980 number. 1980 number. Their 1997 median family income was Their 1997 median family income $52,553. was $29,313. About 1 in 10 were poor in 1997. About 2 in 10 were poor in 1997. At least one parent of 86 percent The fathers of 77 percent of of them had a high school diploma these children had high school and at least one of 29 percent diplomas and the fathers of had a bachelor's degree or 11 percent had a bachelor's higher. degree or higher. One-quarter lived in rental Half lived in rental housing. housing. For further information on data in this section, go to the following URL: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/1999/cb99-03.html. Although Father's Day initially might conjure the "traditional family" -- a father living with his children and their mother, single fathers have become an increasingly significant presence in the nation's social landscape. The following section takes a closer look at them and their families. Single Fathers -- The number of single fathers grew 25 percent between 1995 and 1998, from 1.7 million to 2.1 million, while the number of single mothers remained constant at about 9.8 million. Consequently, men comprised 1 in 6 of the nation's 11.9 million single parents in 1998, up from 1 in 7 in 1995 and 1 in 10 in 1980. -- The typical single father in 1998 was 38 years old; a ratio of 1 in 9 was under age 25; and 1 in 70 was 60 or older. -- About half of single fathers resided in suburban areas in 1998. -- Most of the nation's single fathers (85 percent) maintained their own household in 1998. The remainder lived in the home of a relative (12 percent) or a nonrelative (3 percent). -- In 1998, 44 percent of single fathers were divorced, 35 percent had never married, 12 percent were separated, about 5 percent were widowed and another 5 percent were separated for reasons other than marital discord. -- Of single fathers raising their own children in 1998, 63 percent cared for only one child under 18 and 11 percent cared for three or more. -- In 1998, a ratio of 5 of every 6 (83 percent) of the nation's single fathers were White. African Americans and Hispanics (who may be of any race) each comprised about 13 percent of the total. -- Fifty-five percent of single fathers who maintained their own households in 1998 had at least one other adult in their home to help them out. For further information on data in this section, go to the following URL: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb98-228.html. Child Support -- The 2.1 million fathers who had custody of their children in 1996 comprised 15 percent of all custodial parents. They were less likely to have been awarded child support (40 percent) than custodial mothers (61 percent). Of those due payments in 1995, they also were less likely to receive at least a portion of payments owed (57 percent) than were custodial mothers (70 percent). http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/1999/cb99-77.html. -- Fathers receiving child support had higher average incomes ($30,030) than mothers receiving it ($21,829) in 1995. These men received an average $3,370 in 1995, not statistically different from the $3,767 in support payments custodial mothers received. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/1999/cb99-77.html. The source for the preceding facts are the Current Population Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation. The data are subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Previous 2000 Census Bureau Facts for Features: African American History Month (February), Valentine's Day (February 14), Women's History Month (March), Census Day, 2000 (April 1), Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May) and Mother's Day (May 14). Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office (Tel: 301-457-3030; fax: 301-457-3670; e-mail: pio@census.gov).
