UNITED STATES DEPT. OF COMMERCE
June 9, 1997 CB97-FS.06 MEMORANDUM FOR Reporters, Editors, News Directors From: LaVerne Vines Collins Chief, Public Information Office Subject: Facts for Father's Day Each month, we plan to provide previously released facts pertaining to selected events or holidays occurring that month. 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). Census Facts For Father's Day Single Father Versus Two-Parent Families: - The number of single fathers with children under 18 grew from 400,000 in 1970 to 1.7 million in 1995. As a proportion of all family groups with children, they increased fivefold over the same period: from 1 percent to 5 percent. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb96-195.html - In 1995, 2.5 million children (4 percent) lived with their father, but not their mother. Among these children's fathers, 48 percent were divorced, 28 percent had never been married, 18 percent were married but not living with their wife and 5 percent were widowed. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb96-200.html - Following are some social and economic indicators for the 2.5 million children living with a single father and the 48.3 million, or 7 in 10, who lived with two parents. The data pertain to 1995 unless otherwise indicated: For children living with their father only: - 1994 median family income was $23,155. - Twenty-six percent were poor. - Six out of 10 lived with at least one sibling. - Seventy-six percent of their fathers had a high school diploma; 12 percent had a bachelor's degree or more. - Seventy-nine percent had a father who was working. - Five out of 10 lived in rental housing. For children living with both parents: - 1994 median family income was $46,195. - Eleven percent were poor. - More than 8 out of 10 lived with at least one sibling. - Eighty-six percent had at least one parent with a high school diploma; 29 percent had at least one parent with a bachelor's degree or more. - Eighty-five percent had at least one parent who was working. - Less than 3 out of 10 lived in rental housing. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb96-200.html
