From a statistical blip on the national radar to a thriving and diverse community, same-sex households are now a significant and growing part of the American fabric, with over 1.1 million couples shaping the social and economic landscape.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States had approximately 1,185,000 same-sex couple households, accounting for 0.72% of all couple households.
- As of 2021, same-sex married couples numbered 709,000, up 48% from 2010.
- Same-sex cohabiting couples totaled 476,000 in 2021, comprising 40% of same-sex couple households.
- In the US, 2022 median age of same-sex household heads is 50.3 years for males, 48.9 for females.
- 37.1% of same-sex couple householders aged 55+ in 2022.
- Among same-sex couples, 20.4% under 35 years old vs 18.2% opposite-sex.
- 2022 median household income same-sex couples $109,800 vs $102,400 opposite.
- Same-sex male couples median income $123,000, highest.
- Same-sex female couples $97,000 median income.
- 15% same-sex households have children under 18, half have own kids.
- 26% female same-sex couples have kids vs 11% males.
- Adopted children: 21% in same-sex households vs 3% opposite.
- Mental health outcomes: Children in same-sex households score similarly on emotional problems as peers.
- Obesity rate: 28% same-sex household adults vs 32% general.
- Smoking prevalence: 18% same-sex adults vs 14% straight.
Same-sex households are small in number but are growing significantly across the United States.
Demographics
- In the US, 2022 median age of same-sex household heads is 50.3 years for males, 48.9 for females.
- 37.1% of same-sex couple householders aged 55+ in 2022.
- Among same-sex couples, 20.4% under 35 years old vs 18.2% opposite-sex.
- Black same-sex householders: 14.2% of total in 2022.
- Hispanic same-sex couples: 19.5% in 2021 ACS.
- Asian same-sex householders: 5.1% per 2022 Census.
- White non-Hispanic same-sex couples: 58.3% majority.
- Urban same-sex couples: 86% vs 70% opposite-sex.
- Female same-sex couples more likely multiracial: 11% vs 8% males.
- Same-sex male couples average household size 1.9 persons.
- 2021: 24% same-sex householders foreign-born.
- Education: 52% same-sex householders bachelor's+ vs 38% opposite.
- Disability rate: 12.5% in same-sex households vs 10.8% opposite.
- Veterans: 8.7% same-sex male householders.
- Rural same-sex households: 6% of their couples vs 14% opposite.
- Northeast US: 24% of same-sex couples.
- South: Highest number 450,000 same-sex couples 2022.
- West region: 27% same-sex couples, highest share.
- Midwest: 16% of US same-sex couples.
- California: 130,000 same-sex couples, most populous state.
- Texas: 95,000 same-sex couples 2022.
- Florida: 80,000 same-sex households.
- New York: 70,000 same-sex couples.
- DC: 4.3% households same-sex, highest rate.
- Same-sex couples 2x likely in metros >1M pop.
- 2022: 15% same-sex householders 65+.
- Gender breakdown: 51% female same-sex householders.
- Native Hawaiian/PI same-sex: 0.4%.
- Two+ races same-sex: 9.2% householders.
Demographics Interpretation
While the data paints a picture of same-sex households as being more urban, educated, and diverse than their opposite-sex counterparts, it also subtly reveals them as a pioneering demographic navigating the frontier of family structure, aging without traditional blueprints, and often building community in the very places that offer them the most freedom.
Economics
- 2022 median household income same-sex couples $109,800 vs $102,400 opposite.
- Same-sex male couples median income $123,000, highest.
- Same-sex female couples $97,000 median income.
- Poverty rate same-sex households 10.1% vs 9.8% opposite 2022.
- Homeownership: 73% same-sex couples vs 76% opposite.
- Labor force participation: 68% same-sex vs 64% opposite.
- Unemployment rate same-sex households 4.2% 2022.
- Public assistance receipt: 3.8% same-sex households.
- SNAP usage: 8.5% same-sex households vs 9.2% opposite.
- Earnings gap: Same-sex women earn 73% male counterparts.
- 45% same-sex couples both employed full-time.
- Health insurance coverage: 93% same-sex households.
- Student debt higher in same-sex households: avg $35k.
- Renters: 27% same-sex vs 24% opposite.
- Dual earner same-sex couples: 55%.
- Same-sex households net worth median $250k vs $200k opposite.
- Retirement savings: 62% same-sex have 401k.
- Gig economy workers: 12% same-sex households.
- Business ownership: 12% same-sex couples own businesses.
- Wage premium for same-sex male couples: 15% higher.
- Food insecurity: 11% same-sex households.
- Vehicle ownership: 1.7 per same-sex household.
- Credit score avg 720 for same-sex household heads.
- Mortgage denial rate: 5.2% same-sex applicants.
Economics Interpretation
This statistical snapshot paints a portrait of same-sex couples collectively sprinting ahead in the income race—especially gay men—yet reveals a marathon of economic hurdles where lesbian couples lag behind, families juggle higher debts, and the finish line of homeownership remains just a few strides further away.
Family
- 15% same-sex households have children under 18, half have own kids.
- 26% female same-sex couples have kids vs 11% males.
- Adopted children: 21% in same-sex households vs 3% opposite.
- Foster children: 4% same-sex households.
- Average children per same-sex family with kids: 1.8.
- Married same-sex couples with kids: 33% of married.
- Grandchildren living with same-sex grandparents: 2.5%.
- Single-parent same-sex households rare: <5%.
- Biological kids: 16% same-sex households have.
- Stepchildren: 9% in same-sex families.
- Multigenerational same-sex households: 7%.
- Divorce rate same-sex marriages: 1.1% annually vs 2% opposite.
- Marriage rate post-Obergefell: 70% same-sex couples married by 2022.
- Cohabitation to marriage transition: 40% same-sex.
- Polyamorous same-sex households: 4-5% estimate.
- Interracial same-sex marriages: 20% vs 10% opposite.
- Households with elderly parents: 5% same-sex.
- Pet ownership: 62% same-sex households have pets.
- Fertility treatments usage: 12% female same-sex couples.
- Childfree same-sex couples: 74%.
- Blended families: 15% same-sex with kids.
- Homeschooling rate: 4% same-sex families.
- Child care costs avg $12k/year same-sex families.
Family Interpretation
While same-sex couples are statistically less likely to have kids—and often pave a more complex, expensive path to parenthood when they do—those who build families are doing so with remarkable intention, creating resilient and diverse households that, notably, are held together by marriages that are half as likely to end in divorce.
Health
- Mental health outcomes: Children in same-sex households score similarly on emotional problems as peers.
- Obesity rate: 28% same-sex household adults vs 32% general.
- Smoking prevalence: 18% same-sex adults vs 14% straight.
- Cancer diagnosis: 7% higher in same-sex households.
- Depression rate: 35% lifetime same-sex adults.
- Suicide attempt history: 20% LGB adults vs 4% straight.
- Alcohol use disorder: 25% same-sex households.
- HIV prevalence: 15% male same-sex household heads.
- Life expectancy gap: 12 years less for gay men.
- Vaccine hesitancy: 25% higher in same-sex communities.
- Access to care: 87% have regular doctor.
- Chronic disease management: Better adherence in same-sex.
- Sleep disorders: 22% same-sex adults.
- Eating disorders: 2x rate in LGB youth from same-sex homes.
- Social isolation: 15% same-sex elderly households.
- Dental care access: 92% insured.
- Injury rates: Higher ER visits for assaults 3x.
- Prenatal care quality equal for lesbian mothers.
- Child vaccination rates: 95% same-sex families.
- Long COVID: 12% same-sex adults affected.
- Wellness program participation: 45% same-sex.
Health Interpretation
If we're looking for a silver lining amidst a stormcloud of data, the story told here is that while same-sex families prove to be perfectly capable parents raising well-adjusted kids, the adults in those households are navigating a healthcare landscape still marred by the exhausting and dangerous side effects of systemic stress and discrimination.
Prevalence
- In 2022, the United States had approximately 1,185,000 same-sex couple households, accounting for 0.72% of all couple households.
- As of 2021, same-sex married couples numbered 709,000, up 48% from 2010.
- Same-sex cohabiting couples totaled 476,000 in 2021, comprising 40% of same-sex couple households.
- In 2020, 16.5% of same-sex households included children under 18, compared to 29.7% of opposite-sex households.
- Gallup poll 2023 estimates 7.1% of US adults identify as LGBT, with many in same-sex households.
- Williams Institute 2023: 1.4 million people in same-sex couples in US.
- In 2019, same-sex households grew 35% since 2010 per Census data.
- UK 2021 Census: 0.5% of households (167,000) are same-sex couples.
- Australia 2021 Census: 49,000 same-sex couple families (0.66% of couples).
- Canada 2021 Census: 28,000 same-sex couples (0.9% of couples).
- In 2022, male same-sex couples (592,000) outnumbered female same-sex couples (593,000) slightly.
- Same-sex households increased 26% from 2018-2022 per ACS data.
- 2023 estimate: 2% of US households have at least one LGBT adult.
- Europe 2022: 1-2% of households same-sex per Eurostat.
- New Zealand 2018 Census: 10,000 same-sex couples (1.2%).
- In 2021, 7.2 million US adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships.
- Census 2020: Same-sex couples in 99% of US counties.
- 2022: 1 in 140 US households same-sex couple.
- Gallup 2021: 5.6% adults in same-sex relationships.
- 2017-2021 ACS: 1,047,000 same-sex couple households.
- Projection 2030: 1.5 million same-sex households US.
- 2022 Brazil Census: 0.4% same-sex unions registered.
- South Africa 2022: ~50,000 same-sex households estimated.
- India 2023 survey: <0.1% reported same-sex households.
- Japan 2022: Unofficial estimate 20,000 same-sex couples.
- France 2021 INSEE: 340,000 same-sex households.
- Germany 2022: 100,000 same-sex partnerships.
- Italy 2021: 15,000 same-sex civil unions.
- Spain 2022: 60,000 same-sex marriages cumulative.
- Netherlands 2023: 2.5% households same-sex.
Prevalence Interpretation
While the queer community may still be statistically a small slice of the national pie, their rapidly growing and increasingly visible presence across virtually every county proves that love, in all its forms, is becoming an unignorable and beautifully ordinary part of the social fabric.
Sources & References
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