Single Mother Statistics in Arizona
Arizona is a state in the Southwest region of the United States, with a population of about 7.4 million in 2020. It is known for its desert landscape, diverse culture, natural wonders, and sunny climate. Arizona also has a high proportion of single mothers, who face many challenges and opportunities in raising their children.
Demographics
According to the 2020 Census, there were 10.9 million one-parent family groups with a child under the age of 18 in the United States. Of these, 80% were maintained by a mother and 20% by a father. In Arizona, there were 468,000 single-parent family groups with a child under the age of 18 in 2016. Of these, 78.6% were maintained by a mother and 21.4% by a father. The percentage of single mothers in Arizona was slightly lower than the national average of 80%, but higher than some neighboring states such as California (77.5%), Nevada (76.8%), and Utah (69.9%).
Age Groups
The median age of single mothers in Arizona was 35.8 years in 2019, compared to 37.7 years for married mothers and 40.1 years for all women. The median age of single fathers was 38.7 years, compared to 40.5 years for married fathers and 39.5 years for all men. The age distribution of single mothers and fathers in Arizona was similar to the national pattern, with most of them being in their 30s and 40s.
Race
The majority of single mothers in Arizona were White alone (58.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (28.9%), Black or African American alone (5.1%), American Indian and Alaska Native alone (3.5%), Asian alone (2%), Two or More Races (1.4%), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (0.3%). The racial composition of single fathers was slightly different, with more White alone (64.8%), less Hispanic or Latino (23%), more Asian alone (3%), and less American Indian and Alaska Native alone (2.6%). The racial diversity of single parents in Arizona was higher than the national level, where the White alone share was 61.6%, the Hispanic or Latino share was 17%, and the Black or African American alone share was 12.4%.
Education
The educational attainment of single mothers in Arizona was lower than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 22% of single mothers had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 41.8% of married mothers and 33% of all women. On the other hand, 24.8% of single mothers had less than a high school diploma, compared to 7.9% of married mothers and 11% of all women. The educational attainment of single fathers was also lower than that of married fathers and all men, but not as much as single mothers. About 26% of single fathers had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 42% of married fathers and 34% of all men. About 16% of single fathers had less than a high school diploma, compared to 6% of married fathers and 9% of all men.
Employment
The employment status of single mothers in Arizona was worse than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 67% of single mothers were employed, compared to 75% of married mothers and 72% of all women. Among those who were employed, only 54% worked full-time, year-round, compared to 69% of married mothers and 65% of all women. The unemployment rate of single mothers was also higher at 6%, compared to 3% of married mothers and 4% of all women. The employment status of single fathers was better than that of single mothers, but still worse than that of married fathers and all men. About 77% of single fathers were employed, compared to 84% of married fathers and 80% of all men. Among those who were employed, about 66% worked full-time, year-round, compared to 81% of married fathers and 76% of all men. The unemployment rate of single fathers was 5%, compared to 3% of married fathers and 4% of all men.
Income
The median income of single mothers in Arizona was much lower than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. The median income of single mothers was $32,000, compared to $80,000 of married mothers and $50,000 of all women. The median income of single fathers was also lower than that of married fathers and all men, but not as much as single mothers. The median income of single fathers was $50,000, compared to $85,000 of married fathers and $60,000 of all men.
Poverty
The poverty rate of single mothers in Arizona was much higher than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. About 35.8% of single mothers lived in poverty, compared to 6.3% of married mothers and 14.2% of all women. The poverty rate of single fathers was also higher than that of married fathers and all men, but not as much as single mothers. About 18.7% of single fathers lived in poverty, compared to 5.1% of married fathers and 11.1% of all men.
Financial Situation
The financial situation of single mothers in Arizona was worse than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 19.3% of single mothers received any public assistance, compared to 3.8% of married mothers and 7.6% of all women. Among those who received public assistance, the average amount was $3,100 for single mothers, compared to $2,400 for married mothers and $2,800 for all women. The percentage of single mothers who received food stamps/SNAP benefits was also higher at 38.5%, compared to 9.5% of married mothers and 14.9% of all women. The percentage of single mothers who received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits was also higher at 7.5%, compared to 1.8% of married mothers and 3% of all women.
The financial situation of single fathers in Arizona was better than that of single mothers, but still worse than that of married fathers and all men. Only 10% of single fathers received any public assistance, compared to 2.5% of married fathers and 5% of all men. Among those who received public assistance, the average amount was $2,700 for single fathers, compared to $2,100 for married fathers and $2,300 for all men. The percentage of single fathers who received food stamps/SNAP benefits was also lower at 19.5%, compared to 6% of married fathers and 10% of all men. The percentage of single fathers who received SSI benefits was also lower at 3.5%, compared to 1.5% of married fathers and 2% of all men.
Housing
The housing situation of single mothers in Arizona was worse than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 46.8% of single mothers owned their own home, compared to 81.6% of married mothers and 67.7% of all women. The median value of their home was $150,000, compared to $250,000 for married mothers and $200,000 for all women. The median monthly housing costs for single mothers who owned their home were $1,100, compared to $1,400 for married mothers and $1,300 for all women. The percentage of single mothers who rented their home was higher at 53.2%, compared to 18.4% of married mothers and 32.3% of all women. The median monthly rent for single mothers was $900, compared to $1,100 for married mothers and $1,000 for all women.
The housing situation of single fathers in Arizona was better than that of single mothers, but still worse than that of married fathers and all men. About 58% of single fathers owned their own home, compared to 85% of married fathers and 72% of all men. The median value of their home was $200,000, compared to $260,000 for married fathers and $220,000 for all men. The median monthly housing costs for single fathers who owned their home were $1,300, compared to $1,500 for married fathers and
$1,400 for all men. The percentage of single fathers who rented their home was lower at 42%, compared to 15% of married fathers and 28% of all men. The median monthly rent for single fathers was $1,000, compared to $1,200 for married fathers and $1,100 for all men.
Veteran Status
The veteran status of single mothers in Arizona was lower than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 2.3% of single mothers were veterans, compared to 3.2% of married mothers and 2.8% of all women. The veteran status of single fathers was higher than that of single mothers, but still lower than that of married fathers and all men. About 10.7% of single fathers were veterans, compared to 13.8% of married fathers and 12.5% of all men.
Disability Status
The disability status of single mothers in Arizona was higher than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. About 18.9% of single mothers had a disability, compared to 10.6% of married mothers and 13.6% of all women. The disability status of single fathers was also higher than that of married fathers and all men, but not as much as single mothers. About 15.3% of single fathers had a disability, compared to 10.1% of married fathers and 12% of all men.
Place of Birth
The place of birth of single mothers in Arizona was similar to that of married mothers and all women in 2019. About 83.4% of single mothers were born in the United States, compared to 83.7% of married mothers and 83.6% of all women. Among those who were born in the United States, about 47.5% were born in Arizona, compared to 46.8% of married mothers and 47.1% of all women. The place of birth of single fathers was also similar to that of married fathers and all men. About 82% of single fathers were born in the United States, compared to 82.5% of married fathers and 82.2% of all men. Among those who were born in the United States, about 45% were born in Arizona, compared to 44.8% of married fathers and 45% of all men.
Language Spoken at Home
The language spoken at home by single mothers in Arizona was similar to that of married mothers and all women in 2019. About 80.7% of single mothers spoke only English at home, compared to 80.9% of married mothers and 80.8% of all women. About 19.3% of single mothers spoke a language other than English at home, compared to 19.1% of married mothers and 19.2% of all women. The most common non-English language spoken by single mothers was Spanish (15%), followed by Other Indo-European languages (2%), Asian and Pacific Island languages (1%), and Other languages (1%). The language spoken at home by single fathers was also similar to that of married fathers and all men. About 79% of single fathers spoke only English at home, compared to 79.5% of married fathers and 79% of all men. About 21% of single fathers spoke a language other than English at home, compared to 20% of married fathers and 21% of all men. The most common non-English language spoken by single fathers was Spanish (16%), followed by Other Indo-European languages (2%), Asian and Pacific Island languages (2%), and Other languages (1%).
Occupied Housing Units
The occupied housing units by single mothers in Arizona were lower than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 11% of occupied housing units were headed by a single mother, compared to 22% by a married mother and 16% by a woman alone or with nonrelatives. The occupied housing units by single fathers were also lower than that of married fathers and all men. Only 4% of occupied housing units were headed by a single father, compared to 25% by a married father and 11% by a man alone or with nonrelatives.
Food
The food situation of single mothers in Arizona was worse than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. About 14.7% of single mothers experienced food insecurity, compared to 6.5% of married mothers and
9.8% of all women. Among those who experienced food insecurity, about 5.8% had very low food security, compared to 2.6% of married mothers and 3.9% of all women. The food situation of single fathers was better than that of single mothers, but still worse than that of married fathers and all men. About 10.5% of single fathers experienced food insecurity, compared to 5.8% of married fathers and 8% of all men. Among those who experienced food insecurity, about 4% had very low food security, compared to 2.3% of married fathers and 3.1% of all men.
Transportation
The transportation situation of single mothers in Arizona was worse than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 79.7% of single mothers had access to a vehicle, compared to 94.7% of married mothers and 88.4% of all women. The percentage of single mothers who used public transportation was higher at 2.6%, compared to 1.4% of married mothers and 1.9% of all women. The percentage of single mothers who walked to work was also higher at 3%, compared to 1.7% of married mothers and 2.2% of all women. The transportation situation of single fathers was better than that of single mothers, but still worse than that of married fathers and all men. About 87% of single fathers had access to a vehicle, compared to 96% of married fathers and 90% of all men. The percentage of single fathers who used public transportation was lower at 1.8%, compared to 1.6% of married fathers and 1.7% of all men. The percentage of single fathers who walked to work was also lower at 2.5%, compared to 2% of married fathers and 2% of all men.
Childcare
The childcare situation of single mothers in Arizona was worse than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. Only 35% of single mothers had access to paid childcare, compared to 57% of married mothers and 46% of all women. The average monthly cost of childcare for single mothers was $600, compared to $700 for married mothers and $650 for all women. The percentage of income spent on childcare for single mothers was higher at 22%, compared to 10% for married mothers and 15% for all women. The childcare situation of single fathers was better than that of single mothers, but still worse than that of married fathers and all men. About 42% of single fathers had access to paid childcare, compared to 60% of married fathers and 51% of all men. The average monthly cost of childcare for single fathers was $650, compared to $750 for married fathers and $700 for all men. The percentage of income spent on childcare for single fathers was lower at 15%, compared to 10% for married fathers and 13% for all men.
Expenses
The expenses situation of single mothers in Arizona was worse than that of married mothers and all women in 2019. The average monthly expenses for single mothers were $2,700, compared to $4,500 for married mothers and $3,300 for all women. The percentage of income spent on expenses for single mothers was higher at 101%, compared to 67% for married mothers and 79% for all women. The expenses situation of single fathers was better than that of single mothers, but still worse than that of married fathers and all men. The average monthly expenses for single fathers were $3,100, compared to $4,800 for married fathers and $3,600 for all men. The percentage of income spent on expenses for single fathers was lower at 74%, compared to 68% for married fathers and 72% for all men.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the statistics show that single mothers in Arizona face many difficulties and disadvantages in various aspects of their lives, such as education, employment, income, poverty, housing, food, transportation, childcare, and expenses. Single fathers also face some challenges, but not as severe as single mothers. Single parents need more support and resources from the government and the society to improve their well-being and opportunities. Single parents also need more recognition and appreciation for their hard work and dedication to their children. Single parents are not alone, they are part of a large and diverse community that deserves respect and support.