GITNUXREPORT 2026

Single Father Homes Statistics

Single fathers are a growing demographic who often achieve strong outcomes for their children.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 27, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2021, there were 2.91 million single-father households in the US raising 4.2 million children under 18

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Single fathers headed 16% of single-parent households in 2021, up from 11% in 1968

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24% of single fathers are aged 40-49, the largest age group among single parents

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White single fathers make up 54% of all single fathers, followed by Hispanic at 25%

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In 2020, 2.5% of US families were single-father families

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Single fathers are more likely to live in suburban areas (45%) than urban (30%)

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15% of single fathers have three or more children, compared to 20% for single mothers

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The number of single-father families increased by 11% from 2010 to 2020

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Black single fathers represent 19% of single fathers but 25% of single-parent households overall

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In 2022, single fathers in the Midwest had the highest concentration at 28% of single-parent homes

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62% of single fathers are divorced, 25% never married, 13% widowed

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Single-father households grew by 25% from 2000 to 2020

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Asian single fathers are the smallest group at 4% of total single fathers

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35% of single fathers have a child under age 6

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In rural areas, single fathers head 18% of single-parent families

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Single fathers aged 30-39 comprise 42% of all single fathers

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Multiracial single fathers increased by 50% from 2010-2020

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78% of single-father households have only biological children

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Single fathers in the South represent 38% of national total

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10% of single fathers are veterans, higher than general population

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Single fathers have a median age of 42 years, compared to 39 for single mothers

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Median household income for single-father families was $57,000 in 2021, higher than $41,000 for single mothers

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88% of single fathers are employed, vs 75% of single mothers

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Poverty rate for single-father families is 16%, compared to 28% for single-mother families

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Single fathers' unemployment rate is 4.2%, lower than national average of 5.2%

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45% of single fathers earn over $75,000 annually

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Single-father households receive 20% less public assistance than single-mother households

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Homeownership rate among single fathers is 55%, higher than 40% for single mothers

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Single fathers working full-time earn a median of $65,000

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12% of single-father families live in poverty with children under 5

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Single fathers have higher labor force participation at 92%

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Median net worth of single-father households is $120,000

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30% of single fathers report food insecurity, lower than 40% for single mothers

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Single fathers in professional occupations: 35%

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Child support receipt: only 25% of single fathers receive it regularly

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Single-father families' average debt is $45,000

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65% of single fathers have health insurance through employer

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Savings rate: single fathers save 8% of income on average

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Single fathers' hourly wage median $28, higher than $22 for single mothers

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Single-father children graduate high school at 92% rate, vs 87% national average

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55% of children from single-father homes enroll in college

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Single fathers' children have GPA average of 3.2

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Reading proficiency: 68% of single-father kids at grade level

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Math scores: children in single-dad homes score 10 points higher than single-mom homes on NAEP

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28% of single-father children pursue STEM degrees

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Dropout rate for single-father teens: 4%, lower than 8% overall

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Single fathers spend 7 hours/week on homework help

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62% of single-father high schoolers take AP courses

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College completion rate: 45% for single-father children

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Single dads more likely to read to kids daily (55%)

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Behavioral issues in school: 15% for single-father kids vs 22% single-mom

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Attendance rate: 96% for single-father students

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Single fathers attend 80% of parent-teacher conferences

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SAT scores average 1150 for single-father children

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35% of single-father kids in gifted programs

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Obesity rate among single-father children: 15%

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Mental health: 12% of single-father kids have anxiety diagnosis, lower than 18% average

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Vaccination rates: 95% complete in single-father homes

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Asthma prevalence: 9% in single-dad families

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Single fathers report 20% less child doctor visits missed

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Dental care access: 92% of single-father kids have regular checkups

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Depression rates in single-father children: 8%

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Physical activity: single-father kids meet guidelines 65% of time

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Injury rates: 10% lower in single-dad homes

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Single fathers ensure 85% healthy BMI in kids under 12

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ADHD diagnosis: 11% in single-father families

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Sleep duration adequate: 78% of single-father children

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Fruit/veg intake: 4 servings/day average

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Single dads have lower child hospitalization rates (5%)

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Vision/hearing screenings: 98% compliance

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Single-father kids suicide attempt rate: 1.5%

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Single fathers report higher child life satisfaction (85%)

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Divorce rate among single fathers' prior marriages: 70%

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40% of single fathers have custody after contested battles

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Remarriage rate for single fathers: 30% within 5 years

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Co-parenting satisfaction: 65% for single dads

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Single fathers use childcare less (25% vs 50% single moms)

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Community involvement: 55% of single dads volunteer

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Dating frequency: single fathers date 2x/month average

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Family support network: 70% have relatives nearby

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Juvenile delinquency: 7% rate in single-father homes

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Single dads attend church 45% regularly

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Substance abuse in kids: 5% lower

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Single fathers report higher work-life balance (60%)

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Extended family living: 15% of single-father households

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Single-dad kids have 20% more father-child bonding time

Statistic 87

Legal custody awards to fathers: increased to 18% in 2022

Statistic 88

Social isolation: single fathers feel it 25% less

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Mentoring programs participation: 35% of single-dad families

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Single fathers' happiness index: 7.2/10

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While the image of a single-parent household often defaults to a mother, today’s reality is more diverse, as evidenced by the 2.91 million single-father households in the US raising over 4.2 million children—a figure that has grown steadily for decades.

Key Takeaways

In 2021, there were 2.91 million single-father households in the US raising 4.2 million children under 18
Single fathers headed 16% of single-parent households in 2021, up from 11% in 1968
24% of single fathers are aged 40-49, the largest age group among single parents
Single fathers have a median age of 42 years, compared to 39 for single mothers
Median household income for single-father families was $57,000 in 2021, higher than $41,000 for single mothers
88% of single fathers are employed, vs 75% of single mothers
Single-father children graduate high school at 92% rate, vs 87% national average
55% of children from single-father homes enroll in college
Single fathers' children have GPA average of 3.2
Obesity rate among single-father children: 15%
Mental health: 12% of single-father kids have anxiety diagnosis, lower than 18% average
Vaccination rates: 95% complete in single-father homes
Divorce rate among single fathers' prior marriages: 70%
40% of single fathers have custody after contested battles
Remarriage rate for single fathers: 30% within 5 years

Single fathers are a growing demographic who often achieve strong outcomes for their children.

Demographic Statistics

In 2021, there were 2.91 million single-father households in the US raising 4.2 million children under 18
Single fathers headed 16% of single-parent households in 2021, up from 11% in 1968
24% of single fathers are aged 40-49, the largest age group among single parents
White single fathers make up 54% of all single fathers, followed by Hispanic at 25%
In 2020, 2.5% of US families were single-father families
Single fathers are more likely to live in suburban areas (45%) than urban (30%)
15% of single fathers have three or more children, compared to 20% for single mothers
The number of single-father families increased by 11% from 2010 to 2020
Black single fathers represent 19% of single fathers but 25% of single-parent households overall
In 2022, single fathers in the Midwest had the highest concentration at 28% of single-parent homes
62% of single fathers are divorced, 25% never married, 13% widowed
Single-father households grew by 25% from 2000 to 2020
Asian single fathers are the smallest group at 4% of total single fathers
35% of single fathers have a child under age 6
In rural areas, single fathers head 18% of single-parent families
Single fathers aged 30-39 comprise 42% of all single fathers
Multiracial single fathers increased by 50% from 2010-2020
78% of single-father households have only biological children
Single fathers in the South represent 38% of national total
10% of single fathers are veterans, higher than general population

Demographic Statistics Interpretation

These statistics reveal a quiet but profound revolution, proving that while the modern father may still occasionally fumble with a ponytail, over 2.9 million of them are now firmly and successfully holding the reins at home.

Economic Statistics

Single fathers have a median age of 42 years, compared to 39 for single mothers
Median household income for single-father families was $57,000 in 2021, higher than $41,000 for single mothers
88% of single fathers are employed, vs 75% of single mothers
Poverty rate for single-father families is 16%, compared to 28% for single-mother families
Single fathers' unemployment rate is 4.2%, lower than national average of 5.2%
45% of single fathers earn over $75,000 annually
Single-father households receive 20% less public assistance than single-mother households
Homeownership rate among single fathers is 55%, higher than 40% for single mothers
Single fathers working full-time earn a median of $65,000
12% of single-father families live in poverty with children under 5
Single fathers have higher labor force participation at 92%
Median net worth of single-father households is $120,000
30% of single fathers report food insecurity, lower than 40% for single mothers
Single fathers in professional occupations: 35%
Child support receipt: only 25% of single fathers receive it regularly
Single-father families' average debt is $45,000
65% of single fathers have health insurance through employer
Savings rate: single fathers save 8% of income on average
Single fathers' hourly wage median $28, higher than $22 for single mothers

Economic Statistics Interpretation

While single fathers, on average, navigate parenthood with slightly more financial padding and workplace stability than single mothers, the statistics reveal a system that still leaves too many dads struggling to make ends meet and far too few receiving the child support they are owed.

Educational Statistics

Single-father children graduate high school at 92% rate, vs 87% national average
55% of children from single-father homes enroll in college
Single fathers' children have GPA average of 3.2
Reading proficiency: 68% of single-father kids at grade level
Math scores: children in single-dad homes score 10 points higher than single-mom homes on NAEP
28% of single-father children pursue STEM degrees
Dropout rate for single-father teens: 4%, lower than 8% overall
Single fathers spend 7 hours/week on homework help
62% of single-father high schoolers take AP courses
College completion rate: 45% for single-father children
Single dads more likely to read to kids daily (55%)
Behavioral issues in school: 15% for single-father kids vs 22% single-mom
Attendance rate: 96% for single-father students
Single fathers attend 80% of parent-teacher conferences
SAT scores average 1150 for single-father children
35% of single-father kids in gifted programs

Educational Statistics Interpretation

While single fathers often defy the odds with their children's impressive academic achievements, these statistics quietly underscore that dedicated parenting, not family structure, is the real predictor of success.

Health Statistics

Obesity rate among single-father children: 15%
Mental health: 12% of single-father kids have anxiety diagnosis, lower than 18% average
Vaccination rates: 95% complete in single-father homes
Asthma prevalence: 9% in single-dad families
Single fathers report 20% less child doctor visits missed
Dental care access: 92% of single-father kids have regular checkups
Depression rates in single-father children: 8%
Physical activity: single-father kids meet guidelines 65% of time
Injury rates: 10% lower in single-dad homes
Single fathers ensure 85% healthy BMI in kids under 12
ADHD diagnosis: 11% in single-father families
Sleep duration adequate: 78% of single-father children
Fruit/veg intake: 4 servings/day average
Single dads have lower child hospitalization rates (5%)
Vision/hearing screenings: 98% compliance
Single-father kids suicide attempt rate: 1.5%
Single fathers report higher child life satisfaction (85%)

Health Statistics Interpretation

While single fathers might serve vegetables with the enthusiasm of a prison warden, the stats don't lie: they're running remarkably tight ships, keeping their kids vaccinated, safe, and oddly satisfied, even if the broccoli occasionally goes uneaten.

Social Statistics

Divorce rate among single fathers' prior marriages: 70%
40% of single fathers have custody after contested battles
Remarriage rate for single fathers: 30% within 5 years
Co-parenting satisfaction: 65% for single dads
Single fathers use childcare less (25% vs 50% single moms)
Community involvement: 55% of single dads volunteer
Dating frequency: single fathers date 2x/month average
Family support network: 70% have relatives nearby
Juvenile delinquency: 7% rate in single-father homes
Single dads attend church 45% regularly
Substance abuse in kids: 5% lower
Single fathers report higher work-life balance (60%)
Extended family living: 15% of single-father households
Single-dad kids have 20% more father-child bonding time
Legal custody awards to fathers: increased to 18% in 2022
Social isolation: single fathers feel it 25% less
Mentoring programs participation: 35% of single-dad families
Single fathers' happiness index: 7.2/10

Social Statistics Interpretation

While 70% of their marriages ended, single fathers are quietly building resilient lives—with 65% satisfied in co-parenting, 60% reporting better work-life balance, and their kids showing lower delinquency—proving that a family's strength is measured not by its structure but by the father-child bonding time that’s up 20%.

Sources & References

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