What does this measure?
The number of children in single-parent households, as a percent of all children under 18.
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 our region performing?
In 2006-08, a third of children in the region were living in single-parent households, an increase of 3 points since 2000 and on par with the state rate. The rate is highest in the City of Rochester, where 69% of children live with one parent. Rates in the surrounding counties were generally lower than Monroe, averaging 28%. Five of the region's counties experienced an increase in the proportion of single-parent households since 2000, while Wayne's rate remained flat and Livingston had a slight decline.
Notes about the data
The 2006-2008 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.