In 2021, about 65.1 percent of children in the United States ages 0–17 lived with two married parents, down from 77 percent in 1980. On the other hand, about 4.9 percent of children ages 0-17 lived with their father only, up from two percent in 1980.
Distribution of child population in the United States from 1980 to 2021, by family structure
In this table, “two parents” reflects all children who have both a mother and father identified in the household, including biological, step, and adoptive parents. Before 2007, “mother only” and “father only” included some children who lived with two unmarried parents. Beginning in 2007, “mother only” and “father only” refer to children for whom only one parent in the household has been identified, whether biological, step, or adoptive.
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ChildStats.gov. (September 28, 2022). Distribution of child population in the United States from 1980 to 2021, by family structure [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/458023/percentage-of-children-in-the-us-by-family-structure/
ChildStats.gov. "Distribution of child population in the United States from 1980 to 2021, by family structure." Chart. September 28, 2022. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/458023/percentage-of-children-in-the-us-by-family-structure/
ChildStats.gov. (2022). Distribution of child population in the United States from 1980 to 2021, by family structure. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/458023/percentage-of-children-in-the-us-by-family-structure/
ChildStats.gov. "Distribution of Child Population in The United States from 1980 to 2021, by Family Structure." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 Sep 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/458023/percentage-of-children-in-the-us-by-family-structure/
ChildStats.gov, Distribution of child population in the United States from 1980 to 2021, by family structure Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/458023/percentage-of-children-in-the-us-by-family-structure/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Distribution of child population in the United States from 1980 to 2021, by family structure [Graph], ChildStats.gov, September 28, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/458023/percentage-of-children-in-the-us-by-family-structure/