CB01-FF.08
June 6, 2001

Father's Day, 2001: June 17

Note: The estimates in this fact sheet should not be confused with Census 2000 results, which are now being released. The statistics in the "Single Fathers" section come from the forthcoming "America's Families and Living Arrangements" report, based on data from the March 2000 Current Population Survey.

Single Fathers

2.0 million - Number of single fathers in 2000. That is a ratio of 1 in 6 single parents. In 1970, there were 393,000 single fathers, comprising about 1 in 9 single parents.

In 2000,

• 201,000 single fathers raised three or more of their own children under 18;
• 913,000 single fathers were divorced; 693,000 had never married; 350,000 were married to an absent spouse; and 88,000 were widowed;
• 196,000 single fathers were raising their own infants under age 1; and
• 258,000 single fathers lived in the home of either a relative or a nonrelative.

Child Support

38% - The proportion of custodial fathers who had child support agreed to or awarded to them in the spring of 1998. The corresponding rate for custodial mothers was 60 percent. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-170.html>

$3,300

The average amount of child support received by custodial fathers who received any payments in 1997, not statistically different from the average received by custodial mothers. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-170.html>

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The preceding facts come from the Current Population Survey. The data are subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Previous 2001 Census Bureau Facts for Features: African American History Month (February), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Women's History Month (March), Census Day, 2000: One Year Later(April 1), Mother's Day (May 13), Asian Pacific American Month (May) and Older Americans Month (May). 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).