What does this measure?

The proportion of children under 18 living in single-parent households.

Why is this important?

Children in single-parent households are far more likely to grow up in low-income households than those living with two parents. They are at greater risk of low academic performance and behavioral problems and may experience parental conflict and residential instability as well.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

In 2005-07, 32% of children in the Greater Capital Region lived with a single parent, up from 21% in 1990. The recent figure is consistent with the national number and slightly lower than the state, but the region experienced a steeper increase than did the nation (7 percentage points) or the state (5 points). The proportions were highest in Albany County (37%) and Schenectady County (36%).

Notes about the data

The 2005-2007 figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined three years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census.