What does this measure?

The proportion of children under 18 in various racial and ethnic groups who are 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 the Greater Capital Region, black and Hispanic children were most likely to live in single-parent households in 2000, the latest year for which reliable racial and ethnic breakdowns are available. Nearly three-quarters of black children were in single-parent households, compared to about half of Hispanic children and children of two or more races. By contrast, 22% of white children and 9% of Asian children were being raised by single parents. The rates for black and Hispanic children were higher in the region's urban counties of Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady than state and national rates.

Notes about the data

More recent data were not available on racial and ethnic breakdowns.