GITNUXREPORT 2025

Single Father Home Statistics

Single fathers increasingly care for children amid economic and social challenges.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The average age of single fathers in the U.S. is 40 years old

Statistic 2

Approximately 22% of single fathers are under age 30

Statistic 3

The majority of single fathers are Caucasian, comprising approximately 70% of single father households

Statistic 4

Approximately 45% of single father households have at least one child under the age of five

Statistic 5

Educational attainment among single fathers shows 18% have a college degree

Statistic 6

Single fathers are more likely to live in renter-occupied housing than own their home outright

Statistic 7

Single fathers are more likely to have a high school diploma or less, compared to those with higher education levels

Statistic 8

The majority of single fathers have stable housing, with only 12% experiencing homelessness in the past year

Statistic 9

The median income for single fathers with children under 18 is approximately $44,000 annually

Statistic 10

Single fathers are more likely to be employed in the private sector than government jobs

Statistic 11

Roughly 20% of single fathers have incomes below half the poverty threshold

Statistic 12

The employment rate among single fathers is approximately 78%, higher than single mothers, but still challenges remain

Statistic 13

Approximately 17% of all children in the United States live with a single father

Statistic 14

About 80% of single fathers are employed full-time

Statistic 15

Single fathers are more likely to have higher education levels compared to single mothers

Statistic 16

Single father households increased by 27% over the past decade

Statistic 17

Around 23% of single fathers are divorced or separated

Statistic 18

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

Statistic 19

Single fathers comprise about 7% of all custodial parents

Statistic 20

About 60% of single fathers are now the primary caregivers of their children

Statistic 21

Single fathers are less likely to receive child support compared to single mothers

Statistic 22

Around 63% of single fathers report providing most or all of their children’s financial support

Statistic 23

About 35% of single fathers live below the federal poverty line

Statistic 24

Single fathers spend an average of 15 hours per week on childcare activities

Statistic 25

Single fathers are more likely to be widowed than single mothers, representing about 15% of single father households

Statistic 26

Roughly 15% of single fathers live in rented housing, compared to 35% of single mothers

Statistic 27

50% of single fathers use community resources such as food banks and housing assistance programs

Statistic 28

Single fathers are less likely to receive social security benefits compared to single mothers

Statistic 29

Anxiety and depression rates are higher among single fathers experiencing financial stress

Statistic 30

About 25% of single fathers have children with special needs

Statistic 31

Single fathers in the U.S. are more likely to co-sleep with their children than single mothers

Statistic 32

Nearly 30% of single fathers work overtime or multiple jobs to support their families

Statistic 33

Approximately 12% of single fathers are veterans

Statistic 34

15% of single fathers are actively seeking employment, potentially due to unemployment or underemployment

Statistic 35

About 55% of single fathers report having access to extended family support

Statistic 36

The number of single father households with more than three children increased by 15% over the past five years

Statistic 37

Single fathers spend an average of 4 hours per week attending school-related activities for their children

Statistic 38

Approximately 28% of single fathers have experienced housing instability in the past year

Statistic 39

Single fathers are more likely to be employed in the service industry compared to other sectors

Statistic 40

Nearly 10% of single fathers are LGBTQ+ individuals raising children

Statistic 41

Education programs targeting single fathers have increased by 40% in the last decade

Statistic 42

65% of single fathers report using online resources for parenting advice

Statistic 43

About 35% of single fathers have children living in two-parent households at some point during the year due to visitation arrangements

Statistic 44

Single fathers are more likely to prioritize work over personal healthcare compared to single mothers, according to survey data

Statistic 45

Approximately 20% of single fathers report experiencing significant financial hardship, affecting their ability to provide consistent care

Statistic 46

Single fathers are increasingly involved in homeschooling activities, with a rise of 25% in the last five years

Statistic 47

Single father households are more prevalent in the Midwest compared to other regions, at 20%

Statistic 48

The rate of family breakup leading to single father households is higher among certain ethnic groups, including African Americans and Hispanics

Statistic 49

Approximately 40% of single fathers report feeling socially isolated

Statistic 50

About 70% of single fathers report experiencing stress related to balancing work and parenting

Statistic 51

Single fathers are less likely than single mothers to utilize mental health services, which can impact their well-being

Statistic 52

50% of single fathers report feeling overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities regularly

Statistic 53

Around 15% of single fathers are involved in community volunteering as a form of social support

Statistic 54

Single fathers report spending an average of 2 hours on household chores daily

Slide 1 of 54

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 17% of all children in the United States live with a single father
About 80% of single fathers are employed full-time
Single fathers are more likely to have higher education levels compared to single mothers
The average age of single fathers in the U.S. is 40 years old
Single father households increased by 27% over the past decade
Around 23% of single fathers are divorced or separated
Single fathers are more likely to live in urban areas compared to rural areas
Approximately 22% of single fathers are under age 30
Single fathers comprise about 7% of all custodial parents
About 60% of single fathers are now the primary caregivers of their children
The median income for single fathers with children under 18 is approximately $44,000 annually
Single fathers are less likely to receive child support compared to single mothers
Around 63% of single fathers report providing most or all of their children’s financial support

Single fathers are breaking new ground in America’s evolving family landscape, with their numbers swelling by 27% over the past decade and now accounting for nearly one in six children living in single-parent households—yet their stories of resilience, challenges, and changing roles remain largely underrepresented.

Demographics and Household Characteristics

The average age of single fathers in the U.S. is 40 years old
Approximately 22% of single fathers are under age 30
The majority of single fathers are Caucasian, comprising approximately 70% of single father households
Approximately 45% of single father households have at least one child under the age of five
Educational attainment among single fathers shows 18% have a college degree
Single fathers are more likely to live in renter-occupied housing than own their home outright
Single fathers are more likely to have a high school diploma or less, compared to those with higher education levels
The majority of single fathers have stable housing, with only 12% experiencing homelessness in the past year

Demographics and Household Characteristics Interpretation

While single fatherhood in the U.S. is often portrayed as a middle-aged journey predominantly led by Caucasian men, the statistics reveal a diverse and dynamic landscape where nearly a quarter are young under thirty, many raising preschoolers, and a significant portion navigating parenthood with limited formal education, all maintaining stable homes—highlighting resilience and complexity behind the often stereotyped narrative.

Employment and Income

The median income for single fathers with children under 18 is approximately $44,000 annually
Single fathers are more likely to be employed in the private sector than government jobs
Roughly 20% of single fathers have incomes below half the poverty threshold
The employment rate among single fathers is approximately 78%, higher than single mothers, but still challenges remain

Employment and Income Interpretation

Despite a relatively high employment rate and a median income of around $44,000, the fact that one in five single fathers earn less than half the poverty line underscores that even in the private sector, the journey to financial stability remains a formidable challenge for many single dads.

Family Structure and Custody

Approximately 17% of all children in the United States live with a single father
About 80% of single fathers are employed full-time
Single fathers are more likely to have higher education levels compared to single mothers
Single father households increased by 27% over the past decade
Around 23% of single fathers are divorced or separated
Single fathers are more likely to live in urban areas compared to rural areas
Single fathers comprise about 7% of all custodial parents
About 60% of single fathers are now the primary caregivers of their children
Single fathers are less likely to receive child support compared to single mothers
Around 63% of single fathers report providing most or all of their children’s financial support
About 35% of single fathers live below the federal poverty line
Single fathers spend an average of 15 hours per week on childcare activities
Single fathers are more likely to be widowed than single mothers, representing about 15% of single father households
Roughly 15% of single fathers live in rented housing, compared to 35% of single mothers
50% of single fathers use community resources such as food banks and housing assistance programs
Single fathers are less likely to receive social security benefits compared to single mothers
Anxiety and depression rates are higher among single fathers experiencing financial stress
About 25% of single fathers have children with special needs
Single fathers in the U.S. are more likely to co-sleep with their children than single mothers
Nearly 30% of single fathers work overtime or multiple jobs to support their families
Approximately 12% of single fathers are veterans
15% of single fathers are actively seeking employment, potentially due to unemployment or underemployment
About 55% of single fathers report having access to extended family support
The number of single father households with more than three children increased by 15% over the past five years
Single fathers spend an average of 4 hours per week attending school-related activities for their children
Approximately 28% of single fathers have experienced housing instability in the past year
Single fathers are more likely to be employed in the service industry compared to other sectors
Nearly 10% of single fathers are LGBTQ+ individuals raising children
Education programs targeting single fathers have increased by 40% in the last decade
65% of single fathers report using online resources for parenting advice
About 35% of single fathers have children living in two-parent households at some point during the year due to visitation arrangements
Single fathers are more likely to prioritize work over personal healthcare compared to single mothers, according to survey data
Approximately 20% of single fathers report experiencing significant financial hardship, affecting their ability to provide consistent care
Single fathers are increasingly involved in homeschooling activities, with a rise of 25% in the last five years
Single father households are more prevalent in the Midwest compared to other regions, at 20%
The rate of family breakup leading to single father households is higher among certain ethnic groups, including African Americans and Hispanics

Family Structure and Custody Interpretation

Despite being a resilient backbone for their children—often working full-time, pursuing higher education, and even homeschooling—they face significant economic hardships and social gaps, revealing that single fathers are as committed as they are constitutionally challenged in America's ongoing quest for family stability.

Health, Well-being, and Social Support

Approximately 40% of single fathers report feeling socially isolated
About 70% of single fathers report experiencing stress related to balancing work and parenting
Single fathers are less likely than single mothers to utilize mental health services, which can impact their well-being
50% of single fathers report feeling overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities regularly
Around 15% of single fathers are involved in community volunteering as a form of social support

Health, Well-being, and Social Support Interpretation

Despite roughly 70% of single fathers feeling the strain of juggling work and parenting, their underutilization of mental health services and limited engagement in community support highlight a pressing need for better resources and recognition to prevent them from becoming the overlooked backbone of their families and communities.

Household Characteristics

Single fathers report spending an average of 2 hours on household chores daily

Household Characteristics Interpretation

Despite balancing the weight of fatherhood alone, single fathers dedicate approximately two hours daily to household chores—proof that even a superdad's to-do list is no match for the unyielding tide of domestic duties.