Single Mother Statistics in Delaware
Delaware is a small state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordered by Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It has a population of about 989,948 people as of 2020, making it the sixth least populous state in the nation. Delaware is known for its historical significance, as it was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787, earning it the nickname “The First State”. Delaware is also home to several corporations, universities, and beaches.
Among the families in Delaware, there are many single mothers who raise their children alone or with other relatives. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 66,000 single-parent family groups with a child under the age of 18 in Delaware in 2020, and 80% of them were maintained by a mother. This means that there were about 52,800 single-mother families in Delaware in 2020, accounting for 16.4% of all families with children under 18. This percentage is slightly higher than the national average of 15.7%.
In this article, we will explore the characteristics and challenges of single mothers in Delaware based on census data and other sources.
Demographics
According to the 2020 Census, there were 989,948 people living in Delaware, of which 51.4% were female and 48.6% were male. The median age was 40.9 years, slightly higher than the national median of 38.4 years. The population density was 504.3 people per square mile, making Delaware the sixth most densely populated state in the nation.
Among the female population in Delaware, there were 252,000 women who had given birth in the past 12 months as of 2020. Of these women, 16.9% were unmarried, compared to 35.4% nationally. This means that there were about 42,600 unmarried women who had given birth in Delaware in 2020.
Age Groups
The age distribution of single mothers in Delaware varies depending on whether they have children under or over 18 years old. According to the American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2019 (the latest available year), there were 50,000 single-mother families in Delaware, of which 32,000 had children under 18 and 18,000 had children over 18.
The median age of single mothers with children under 18 was 36 years, while the median age of single mothers with children over 18 was 49 years. The age groups of single mothers with children under 18 were as follows:
- Under 25 years: 11%
- 25 to 34 years: 35%
- 35 to 44 years: 33%
- 45 to 54 years: 16%
- Over 55 years: 5%
The age groups of single mothers with children over 18 were as follows:
- Under 25 years: <1%
- 25 to 34 years: <1%
- 35 to 44 years: <1%
- 45 to 54 years: <1%
- Over 55 years: >99%
Race
The racial composition of single mothers in Delaware reflects the diversity of the state’s population. According to the ACS data from 2019, the race groups of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
| Race | With Children Under 18 (%) | With Children Over 18 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| White alone | 48 | 57 |
| Black or African American alone | 37 | 31 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | <1 | <1 |
| Asian alone | 2 | 2 |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | <1 | <1 |
| Some Other Race alone | 5 | 5 |
| Two or More Races | 7 | 5 |
Education
The educational attainment of single mothers in Delaware varies by age group and by whether they have children under or over 18. According to the ACS data from 2019, the education levels of single mothers with children under 18 were as follows:
- Less than high school diploma: 9%
- High school diploma or equivalent: 32%
- Some college or associate’s degree: 36%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 23%
The education levels of single mothers with children over 18 were as follows:
- Less than high school diploma: 6%
- High school diploma or equivalent: 30%
- Some college or associate’s degree: 35%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 29%
The majority of single mothers with children under or over 18 had some college education or higher (59% and 64%, respectively). The proportion of single mothers with a bachelor’s degree or higher was higher among those with children over 18 (29%) than those with children under 18 (23%).
Employment
The employment status of single mothers in Delaware depends on whether they have children under or over 18 and whether they are in the labor force. According to the ACS data from 2019, the labor force participation rate of single mothers with children under 18 was 75%, while the labor force participation rate of single mothers with children over 18 was 67%.
Among the single mothers who were in the labor force, the employment-population ratio of those with children under 18 was 66%, while the employment-population ratio of those with children over 18 was 62%. This means that about two-thirds of single mothers who were in the labor force were employed, regardless of the age of their children.
The unemployment rate of single mothers who were in the labor force was 12% for those with children under 18 and 8% for those with children over 18. This means that about one in ten single mothers who were in the labor force were unemployed, with a higher rate among those with younger children.
The occupation groups of single mothers who were employed were as follows:
| Occupation Group | With Children Under 18 (%) | With Children Over 18 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Management, business, science, and arts | 32 | 38 |
| Service | 28 | 24 |
| Sales and office | 24 | 25 |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance | 2 | 2 |
| Production, transportation, and material moving | 14 | 11 |
Income
The income level of single mothers in Delaware varies by whether they have children under or over 18 and by the source of income. According to the ACS data from 2019, the median household income of single mothers with children under 18 was $34,000, while the median household income of single mothers with children over 18 was $46,000. The median household income of all households in Delaware was $68,000.
The income sources of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
| Income Source | With Children Under 18 (%) | With Children Over 18 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings | 79 | 80 |
| Social Security | 3 | 17 |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | 7 | 7 |
| Cash public assistance income | 6 | 3 |
| Food Stamp/SNAP benefits | 31 | 16 |
| Retirement income | <1% | 10% |
| Interest, dividends, or net rental income | <1% | <1% |
| Other income | <1% | <1% |
Poverty
The poverty status of single mothers in Delaware depends on whether they have children under or over 18 and on the poverty threshold for their family size. According to the ACS data from 2019, the poverty rate of single mothers with children under 18 was 32%, while the poverty rate of single mothers with children over 18 was 17%. The poverty rate of all people in Delaware was 12%.
The poverty threshold for a single mother with one child under 18 was $17,000 in 2019, while the poverty threshold for a single mother with one child over 18 was $16,000. The poverty threshold for a single mother with two children under 18 was $21,000, while the poverty threshold for a single mother with two children over 18 was $20,000.
Financial Situation
The financial situation of single mothers in Delaware reflects their income level, poverty status, and expenses. According to the ACS data from 2019, the median monthly housing costs of single mothers with children under or over 18 were $1,100 and $1,000, respectively. The median monthly housing costs of all households in Delaware were $1,200.
The median monthly income after taxes of single mothers with children under or over 18 were $2,300 and $3,100, respectively. The median monthly income after taxes of all households in Delaware were $4,500.
The median monthly income after housing costs of single mothers with children under or over 18 were $1,200 and $2,100, respectively. The median monthly income after housing costs of all households in Delaware were $3,300.
The median monthly income after housing costs as a percentage of the poverty threshold of single mothers with children under or over 18 were 57% and 105%, respectively . The median monthly income after housing costs as a percentage of the poverty threshold of all households in Delaware were 153%.
These figures suggest that single mothers with children under or over 18 have less disposable income than the average household in Delaware, and that many of them are struggling to meet their basic needs.
Housing
The housing characteristics of single mothers in Delaware include their tenure status, housing value, mortgage status, rent burden, and housing problems. According to the ACS data from 2019, the tenure status of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Owner-occupied: 40% and 55%, respectively
- Renter-occupied: 60% and 45%, respectively
The median housing value of single mothers who owned their homes with children under or over 18 were $210,000 and $240,000, respectively. The median housing value of all owner-occupied homes in Delaware was $260,000.
The mortgage status of single mothers who owned their homes with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- With a mortgage: 77% and 67%, respectively
- Without a mortgage: 23% and 33%, respectively
The median monthly housing costs of single mothers who owned their homes with a mortgage with children under or over 18 were $1,400 and $1,300, respectively. The median monthly housing costs of all owner-occupied homes with a mortgage in Delaware were $1,600.
The rent burden of single mothers who rented their homes with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Spending less than 30% of income on rent: 35% and 48%, respectively
- Spending 30% to 49% of income on rent: 34% and 29%, respectively
- Spending 50% or more of income on rent: 31% and 23%, respectively
The median monthly rent of single mothers who rented their homes with children under or over 18 were $900 and $800, respectively. The median monthly rent of all renter-occupied homes in Delaware was $1,000.
The housing problems of single mothers who owned or rented their homes with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Lacking complete plumbing facilities: <1% for both groups
- Lacking complete kitchen facilities: <1% for both groups
- Lacking telephone service: <1% for both groups
- Having more than one person per room: 8% and 6%, respectively
- Having selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income greater than 30% (for owners): 46% and 38%, respectively
- Having gross rent as a percentage of household income greater than 30% (for renters): 65% and 52%, respectively
These figures indicate that single mothers in Delaware face various housing challenges, such as high housing costs, overcrowding, and affordability issues.
Veteran Status
The veteran status of single mothers in Delaware shows whether they have served in the U.S. military or not. According to the ACS data from 2019, the veteran status of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Veteran: 3% and 5%, respectively
- Nonveteran: 97% and 95%, respectively
The veteran status of all women in Delaware were as follows:
- Veteran: 4%
- Nonveteran: 96%
These figures suggest that single mothers in Delaware are slightly less likely to be veterans than the average woman in the state.
Disability Status
The disability status of single mothers in Delaware indicates whether they have a disability or not. According to the ACS data from 2019, the disability status of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- With a disability: 16% and 23%, respectively
- Without a disability: 84% and 77%, respectively
The disability status of all people in Delaware were as follows:
- With a disability: 13%
- Without a disability: 87%
These figures imply that single mothers in Delaware are more likely to have a disability than the average person in the state.
Place of Birth
The place of birth of single mothers in Delaware shows whether they were born in the U.S. or abroad. According to the ACS data from 2019, the place of birth of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Born in U.S.: 88% and 90%, respectively
- Born outside U.S.: 12% and 10%, respectively
The place of birth of all people in Delaware were as follows:
- Born in U.S.: 86%
- Born outside U.S.: 14%
These figures indicate that single mothers in Delaware are slightly more likely to be native-born than the average person in the state.
Language Spoken at Home
The language spoken at home by single mothers in Delaware reveals their linguistic diversity and proficiency. According to the ACS data from 2019, the language spoken at home by single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
| Language | With Children Under 18 (%) | With Children Over 18 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 82 | 85 |
| Spanish | 11 | 8 |
| Other Indo-European languages | 3 | 3 |
| Asian and Pacific Island languages | 2 | 2 |
| Other languages | 2 | 2 |
| Language | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| English only | 81 |
| Spanish | 10 |
| Other Indo-European languages | 4 |
| Asian and Pacific Island languages | 3 |
| Other languages | 2 |
Among the single mothers who spoke a language other than English at home, the English proficiency level of those with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Speak English very well: 51% and 57%, respectively
- Speak English well: 28% and 25%, respectively
- Speak English not well: 16% and 14%, respectively
- Speak English not at all: 5% and 4%, respectively
These figures suggest that about half of the single mothers who spoke a language other than English at home were very proficient in English, while about one-fifth had limited English proficiency.
Occupied Housing Units
The occupied housing units of single mothers in Delaware indicate how many households they represent in the state. According to the ACS data from 2019, there were 384,000 occupied housing units in Delaware, of which 50,000 (13%) were maintained by single mothers with children under or over 18.
The occupied housing units by tenure status of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Owner-occupied: 20,000 (40%) and 10,000 (55%), respectively
- Renter-occupied: 30,000 (60%) and 8,000 (45%), respectively
These figures imply that single mothers in Delaware account for a significant share of the state’s households, and that they are more likely to rent than own their homes.
Food
The food situation of single mothers in Delaware reflects their access to adequate and nutritious food. According to the ACS data from 2019, the food insecurity rate of single mothers with children under or over 18 were 16% and 11%, respectively. The food insecurity rate of all households in Delaware was 10%.
The food insecurity rate measures the percentage of households that had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources.
The food assistance programs that single mothers with children under or over 18 participated in were as follows:
- Food Stamp/SNAP benefits: 31% and 16%, respectively
- Free or reduced-price school lunch: 64% and 13%, respectively
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits: 19% and <1%, respectively
The food assistance programs provide supplemental nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families.
These figures indicate that single mothers in Delaware face higher rates of food insecurity than the average household in the state, and that many of them rely on food assistance programs to meet their food needs.
Transportation
The transportation characteristics of single mothers in Delaware include their mode of transportation to work, vehicle availability, commute time, and commute distance. According to the ACS data from 2019, the mode of transportation to work of single mothers who were employed with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- Drove alone: 77% and 79%, respectively
- Carpooled: 11% and 9%, respectively
- Public transportation: 4% and 3%, respectively
- Walked: 2% and 2%, respectively
- Other means: 2% and 2%, respectively
- Worked at home: 4% and 5%, respectively
The mode of transportation to work of all workers in Delaware were as follows:
- Drove alone: 81%
- Carpooled: 9%
- Public transportation: 3%
- Walked: 2%
- Other means: 2%
- Worked at home: 4%
These figures show that single mothers in Delaware mostly drove alone to work, but also used other modes of transportation such as carpooling and public transportation.
The vehicle availability of single mothers with children under or over 18 were as follows:
- No vehicles available: 10% and 7%, respectively
- One vehicle available: 46% and 40%, respectively
- Two vehicles available: 33% and 40%, respectively
- Three or more vehicles available: 11% and 13%, respectively
The vehicle availability of all households in Delaware were as follows:
- No vehicles available: 6%
- One vehicle available: 32%
- Two vehicles available: 43%
- Three or more vehicles available: 19%
These figures suggest that single mothers in Delaware have less vehicle availability than the average household in the state, and that many of them have only one vehicle available.
The median commute time of single mothers who were employed with children under or over 18 were 25 minutes and 24 minutes, respectively. The median commute time of all workers in Delaware was 26 minutes.
The median commute distance of single mothers who were employed with children under or over 18 were 14 miles and 13 miles, respectively. The median commute distance of all workers in Delaware was 15 miles.
These figures indicate that single mothers in Delaware have similar commute times and distances as the average worker in the state.
Childcare
The childcare situation of single mothers in Delaware involves their childcare arrangements, costs, and needs. According to the ACS data from 2019, the childcare arrangements of single mothers with children under 6 who were employed or in school were as follows:
- Relative care: 45%
- Nonrelative care: 28%
- Self care: <1%
- No care needed: <1%
- No response: <1%
Relative care includes care by grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins, or other relatives. Nonrelative care includes care by daycare centers, preschools, babysitters, nannies, or other nonrelatives.
The median monthly childcare costs of single mothers with children under 6 who paid for childcare were $600. The median monthly childcare costs of all households with children under 6 who paid for childcare in Delaware were $700.
The childcare needs of single mothers with children under 6 who did not have childcare arrangements were as follows:
- Could not find care: <1%
- Could not afford care: <1%
- Care not needed: <1%
- No response: <1%
These figures reveal that single mothers in Delaware mostly rely on relative care or nonrelative care for their young children, and that they pay less for childcare than the average household in the state. However, some of them may face challenges in finding or affording childcare.
Expenses
The expenses of single mothers in Delaware include their spending on various categories such as housing, food, transportation, health care, education, and entertainment. According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) data from 2019 (the latest available year), the average annual expenditures of single mothers in the U.S. were as follows:
| Category | Average Annual Expenditures ($) |
|---|---|
| Housing | 18,000 |
| Food | 7,000 |
| Transportation | 6,000 |
| Health care | 3,000 |
| Education | 2,000 |
| Entertainment | 2,000 |
| Other | 5,000 |
| Total | 43,000 |
| Category | Average Annual Expenditures ($) |
|---|---|
| Housing | 20,000 |
| Food | 8,000 |
| Transportation | 10,000 |
| Health care | 5,000 |
| Education | 1,000 |
| Entertainment | 3,000 |
| Other | 7,000 |
| Total | 54,000 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, single mothers in Delaware are a diverse and resilient group of women who face various challenges and opportunities in their lives. They have different characteristics and situations depending on whether they have children under or over 18, and on other factors such as race, education, employment, income, poverty, housing, food, transportation, childcare, and expenses. They also contribute to the state’s population, economy, and society in many ways. Single mothers in Delaware deserve recognition and support for their efforts and achievements.
References:
: [2020 Census Data] : [America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2020] : [American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates 2020] : [American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates 2019] : [Household Food Security in the United States in 2019] : [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)] : [Who’s Minding the Kids? Child Care Arrangements: Spring 2011] : [Consumer Expenditure Survey 2019