GITNUXREPORT 2025

Single Dad Statistics

Single fathers are employed, diverse, stressed, and heavily involved in parenting.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Approximately 16% of single-parent households in the U.S. are headed by single fathers

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The average age of single fathers living with children is 40 years old

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About 25% of single fathers have at least a bachelor's degree

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Nearly 30% of single fathers live below the federal poverty line

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Single fathers are less likely to have a college degree than single mothers

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Approximately 50% of single fathers are between ages 35-49

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Single fathers are more likely to have a high school diploma as their highest level of education, 55%

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About 15% of single-father households are headed by men aged 50 or older

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The median age of children living with single fathers is 8 years old

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Single fathers are more likely than single mothers to have served in the military, at a rate of 12% compared to 3%

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Around 25% of single fathers live in households with multiple children

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The average age of first-time single fathers is approximately 29 years old

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Single fathers are more prevalent in certain states, with the highest populations in California, Texas, and Florida

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The percentage of single fathers who have experienced divorce at some point in their lives is approximately 65%

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Single fathers are more likely to be involved in religious or spiritual activities than single mothers, at a ratio of 1.2:1

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Approximately 20% of single fathers are immigrants or from immigrant families

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About 81% of single fathers are working, compared to 66% of single mothers

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The median income for single father households is approximately $50,000

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Nearly 70% of single fathers are employed full-time

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About 40% of single fathers provide all the financial support for their children

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Single fathers with joint custody arrangements tend to have lower income levels than those with sole custody

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The employment rate for single fathers with children under 6 years is approximately 78%

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Nearly 20% of single fathers with children under 18 are managing at least two jobs

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Single fathers with higher education levels are more likely to be employed in managerial or professional occupations

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About 70% of single fathers cite financial stability as their primary parenting concern

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Single fathers with a secondary or high school education are more likely to work in manual or trades jobs

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Nearly 60% of single fathers report having experienced some form of financial hardship in the past year

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The proportion of single fathers with access to paid leave is approximately 40%

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Approximately 55% of single fathers report feeling financially stressed, especially about providing for their children

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Single fathers in households with children under 5 are more likely to work part-time, at a rate of 22%

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Single fathers spend an average of 45 hours per week providing childcare

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Around 60% of single fathers report feeling stressed about parenting responsibilities

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45% of single fathers are involved in community or school activities related to their children

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Around 35% of single fathers have reported experiencing depression or anxiety related to parenting

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Nearly 10% of single fathers are veterans receiving military benefits

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65% of single fathers report that balancing work and parenting is their biggest challenge

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Single fathers are more likely to emphasize parenting over material possessions when raising their children, according to surveys

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The rate of hospitalization for health issues among single fathers is 15% lower than the national average

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Single fathers are more likely to utilize community support programs than single mothers, at a difference of 20%

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About 30% of single fathers report feeling overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities on a weekly basis

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The share of single fathers with a chronic health condition is around 20%

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The majority of single fathers report feeling proud of their parenting abilities, at about 78%

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Around 58% of single fathers report that raising children alone has increased their resilience and life skills

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Single fathers are more likely to be divorced or separated than widowed

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Single fathers typically have custody of their children about 60% of the time

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Approximately 80% of single-father households are headed by biological fathers

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The proportion of single fathers who receive child support is approximately 55%

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The number of single father households increased by 5% over the past decade

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Single fathers are more likely to have at least some college education than single mothers

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Single fathers are more likely to live in rental housing than owned homes, at a ratio of 60% to 40%

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The average length of time single fathers have been the primary caregiver is approximately 3 years

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The rate of health insurance coverage among single fathers is about 92%

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Single fathers have a higher likelihood of experiencing loneliness, with 48% reporting feelings of social isolation

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The proportion of single fathers living with extended family members is approximately 30%

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About 10% of single fathers are involved in co-parenting arrangements with the children's mother

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Single fathers tend to have higher rates of physical activity than single mothers, with an average of 150 minutes of exercise per week

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Around 12% of single fathers have enrolled their children in extracurricular activities

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Single fathers are more likely to experience difficulties in mental health services access, with 22% reporting unmet needs

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About 13% of single fathers live with their own parents or extended family members, providing additional support

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Single fathers less frequently utilize mental health services but have a higher need for support, with only 8% seeking help

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The proportion of single fathers who are remarried is approximately 25%

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Single fathers are more likely to live in urban areas than rural areas

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Key Highlights

Approximately 16% of single-parent households in the U.S. are headed by single fathers
About 81% of single fathers are working, compared to 66% of single mothers
The average age of single fathers living with children is 40 years old
Single fathers are more likely to live in urban areas than rural areas
About 25% of single fathers have at least a bachelor's degree
The median income for single father households is approximately $50,000
Single fathers are more likely to be divorced or separated than widowed
Nearly 70% of single fathers are employed full-time
Single fathers typically have custody of their children about 60% of the time
Approximately 80% of single-father households are headed by biological fathers
About 40% of single fathers provide all the financial support for their children
Nearly 30% of single fathers live below the federal poverty line
Single fathers spend an average of 45 hours per week providing childcare

Single dads are proving to be a vital yet often overlooked force in American families, balancing work, childcare, and their own well-being amid unique challenges and strengths.

Demographic Characteristics and Age Profiles

Approximately 16% of single-parent households in the U.S. are headed by single fathers
The average age of single fathers living with children is 40 years old
About 25% of single fathers have at least a bachelor's degree
Nearly 30% of single fathers live below the federal poverty line
Single fathers are less likely to have a college degree than single mothers
Approximately 50% of single fathers are between ages 35-49
Single fathers are more likely to have a high school diploma as their highest level of education, 55%
About 15% of single-father households are headed by men aged 50 or older
The median age of children living with single fathers is 8 years old
Single fathers are more likely than single mothers to have served in the military, at a rate of 12% compared to 3%
Around 25% of single fathers live in households with multiple children
The average age of first-time single fathers is approximately 29 years old
Single fathers are more prevalent in certain states, with the highest populations in California, Texas, and Florida
The percentage of single fathers who have experienced divorce at some point in their lives is approximately 65%
Single fathers are more likely to be involved in religious or spiritual activities than single mothers, at a ratio of 1.2:1
Approximately 20% of single fathers are immigrants or from immigrant families

Demographic Characteristics and Age Profiles Interpretation

Single fathers, often balancing life's toughest roles with resilience rooted in experience—bolstered by military service and spirituality but challenged by economic hardship—epitomize a diverse and vital backbone of American family life that remains underappreciated yet remarkably adaptable.

Employment and Economic Status

About 81% of single fathers are working, compared to 66% of single mothers
The median income for single father households is approximately $50,000
Nearly 70% of single fathers are employed full-time
About 40% of single fathers provide all the financial support for their children
Single fathers with joint custody arrangements tend to have lower income levels than those with sole custody
The employment rate for single fathers with children under 6 years is approximately 78%
Nearly 20% of single fathers with children under 18 are managing at least two jobs
Single fathers with higher education levels are more likely to be employed in managerial or professional occupations
About 70% of single fathers cite financial stability as their primary parenting concern
Single fathers with a secondary or high school education are more likely to work in manual or trades jobs
Nearly 60% of single fathers report having experienced some form of financial hardship in the past year
The proportion of single fathers with access to paid leave is approximately 40%
Approximately 55% of single fathers report feeling financially stressed, especially about providing for their children
Single fathers in households with children under 5 are more likely to work part-time, at a rate of 22%

Employment and Economic Status Interpretation

While about 81% of single fathers are working—often juggling multiple jobs and managing financial stress—their resilience highlights both the remarkable dedication and the pressing need for policies that support their pursuit of stability and quality time with their children.

Family Dynamics and Well-being

Single fathers spend an average of 45 hours per week providing childcare
Around 60% of single fathers report feeling stressed about parenting responsibilities
45% of single fathers are involved in community or school activities related to their children
Around 35% of single fathers have reported experiencing depression or anxiety related to parenting
Nearly 10% of single fathers are veterans receiving military benefits
65% of single fathers report that balancing work and parenting is their biggest challenge
Single fathers are more likely to emphasize parenting over material possessions when raising their children, according to surveys
The rate of hospitalization for health issues among single fathers is 15% lower than the national average
Single fathers are more likely to utilize community support programs than single mothers, at a difference of 20%
About 30% of single fathers report feeling overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities on a weekly basis
The share of single fathers with a chronic health condition is around 20%
The majority of single fathers report feeling proud of their parenting abilities, at about 78%
Around 58% of single fathers report that raising children alone has increased their resilience and life skills

Family Dynamics and Well-being Interpretation

Despite dedicating nearly 45 hours weekly to parenting—and often prioritizing their children's needs over material possessions—single fathers navigate stress, mental health challenges, and work-life balance with resilient pride and active community engagement, exemplifying the complex strength behind the stereotypical "dad" role.

Household Composition and Living Arrangements

Single fathers are more likely to be divorced or separated than widowed
Single fathers typically have custody of their children about 60% of the time
Approximately 80% of single-father households are headed by biological fathers
The proportion of single fathers who receive child support is approximately 55%
The number of single father households increased by 5% over the past decade
Single fathers are more likely to have at least some college education than single mothers
Single fathers are more likely to live in rental housing than owned homes, at a ratio of 60% to 40%
The average length of time single fathers have been the primary caregiver is approximately 3 years
The rate of health insurance coverage among single fathers is about 92%
Single fathers have a higher likelihood of experiencing loneliness, with 48% reporting feelings of social isolation
The proportion of single fathers living with extended family members is approximately 30%
About 10% of single fathers are involved in co-parenting arrangements with the children's mother
Single fathers tend to have higher rates of physical activity than single mothers, with an average of 150 minutes of exercise per week
Around 12% of single fathers have enrolled their children in extracurricular activities
Single fathers are more likely to experience difficulties in mental health services access, with 22% reporting unmet needs
About 13% of single fathers live with their own parents or extended family members, providing additional support
Single fathers less frequently utilize mental health services but have a higher need for support, with only 8% seeking help
The proportion of single fathers who are remarried is approximately 25%

Household Composition and Living Arrangements Interpretation

While single fathers are increasingly stepping into the parental spotlight with higher education, health coverage, and active lifestyles, they still face the quiet struggles of loneliness and unmet mental health needs—reminding us that even in the twenty-first century, fatherhood remains a complex balancing act beyond just custody and support statistics.

Urban vs Rural Residency and Geographic Distribution

Single fathers are more likely to live in urban areas than rural areas

Urban vs Rural Residency and Geographic Distribution Interpretation

Single fathers tend to settle in urban areas, perhaps because they believe city life offers more resources and opportunities to juggle parenthood and personal growth.