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CB00-FF.07                                                    June 05, 2000

                     Father's Day, 2000: June 18

The Census Bureau estimates that there were 60.1 million fathers age 
15 and over nationwide as of 1996. These fathers had an average of 
1.6 children each.

Two-Parent Versus Single-Father Families  

 -- Following are some social and economic indicators for
    children living with both parents and those living with a
    single father. Unless otherwise indicated, the data are for
    1998:

For further information on data in this section, go to the following URL:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/1999/cb99-03.html.

Although Father's Day initially might conjure the "traditional family" --
a father living with his children and their mother, single fathers have
become an increasingly significant presence in the nation's social
landscape. The following section takes a closer look at them and their
families.

Single Fathers

 --  The number of single fathers grew 25 percent between 1995 and 1998,
     from 1.7 million to 2.1 million, while the number of single mothers
     remained constant at about 9.8 million. Consequently, men comprised 
     1 in 6 of the nation's 11.9 million single parents in 1998, up from 
     1 in 7 in 1995 and 1 in 10 in 1980.

 --  The typical single father in 1998 was 38 years old; a ratio of 1 in 
     9 was under age 25; and 1 in 70 was 60 or older.

 --  About half of single fathers resided in suburban areas in 1998. 

 --  Most of the nation's single fathers (85 percent) maintained their
     own household in 1998. The remainder lived in the home of a relative
     (12 percent) or a nonrelative (3 percent).      
     
 --  In 1998, 44 percent of single fathers were divorced, 35 percent had
     never married, 12 percent were separated, about 5 percent were
     widowed and another 5 percent were separated for reasons other than
     marital discord. 

 --  Of single fathers raising their own children in 1998, 63 percent
     cared for only one child under 18 and 11 percent cared for three or
     more. 

 --  In 1998, a ratio of 5 of every 6 (83 percent) of the nation's single
     fathers were White. African Americans and Hispanics (who may be of
     any race) each comprised about 13 percent of the total. 

 --  Fifty-five percent of single fathers who maintained their own
     households in 1998 had at least one other adult in their home to help
     them out. 

For further information on data in this section, go to the following URL:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb98-228.html.

Child Support

 --  The 2.1 million fathers who had custody of their children in 
     1996 comprised 15 percent of all custodial parents. They were less
     likely to have been awarded child support (40 percent) than custodial
     mothers (61 percent). Of those due payments in 1995, they also were
     less likely to receive at least a portion of payments owed (57
     percent) than were custodial mothers (70 percent).
     http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/1999/cb99-77.html.

 --  Fathers receiving child support had higher average incomes ($30,030)
     than mothers receiving it ($21,829) in 1995. These men received an
     average $3,370 in 1995, not statistically different from the $3,767
     in support payments custodial mothers received.
     http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/1999/cb99-77.html.

The source for the preceding facts are the Current Population Survey and
the Survey of Income and Program Participation. The data are subject to
sampling variability and other sources of error. Previous 2000 Census
Bureau Facts for Features: African American History Month (February),
Valentine's Day (February 14), Women's History Month (March), Census Day,
2000 (April 1), Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May) and Mother's
Day (May 14). 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).

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