Single Mother Statistics in Louisiana

Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States. It has a population of about 4.6 million people, of which 51% are female. Louisiana is known for its diverse culture, rich history, and distinctive cuisine. However, it also faces many challenges, such as poverty, natural disasters, and health disparities. One of the groups that is particularly vulnerable in Louisiana is single mothers and their children. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 362,000 single mother families in Louisiana in 2020, accounting for 23% of all families with children under 18. This article will provide an overview of the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of single mothers in Louisiana, based on the latest census data available.

Demographics

The demographic profile of single mothers in Louisiana varies by age, race, education, and other factors. The following table summarizes some of the key demographic indicators for single mothers in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Indicator	Louisiana	U.S.
Median age of single mothers	36.5 years	38.5 years
Percent of single mothers who are divorced or separated	35%	41%
Percent of single mothers who are never married	54%	46%
Percent of single mothers who are widowed	4%	6%
Percent of single mothers who have three or more children	28%	22%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana tend to be younger, more likely to be never married, and have more children than the national average.

Age Groups

The age distribution of single mothers in Louisiana shows that most of them are in their prime working years, between 25 and 44 years old. However, there are also significant numbers of teenage and older single mothers in the state. The following chart shows the percentage of single mothers by age group in Louisiana.

![Percentage of Single Mothers by Age Group in Louisiana](#graphic_art(“a bar chart showing percentage of single mothers by age group in Louisiana”))

As the chart shows, about half of the single mothers in Louisiana are between 25 and 34 years old, followed by 35 to 44 years old (28%), 18 to 24 years old (14%), 45 to 54 years old (6%), and 55 years and over (2%). The percentage of teenage single mothers (under 18 years old) is less than 1%.

Race

The racial composition of single mothers in Louisiana reflects the diversity of the state’s population. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers by race and ethnicity in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Race/Ethnicity	Louisiana	U.S.
White alone	47%	52%
Black or African American alone	46%	28%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)	5%	16%
Asian alone	1%	3%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone	1%	1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone	1%	1%
Two or More Races	2%	2%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana are almost evenly split between white and black, with a small percentage of Hispanic, Asian, and other races. Compared to the national average, single mothers in Louisiana are more likely to be black and less likely to be Hispanic or Asian.

Education

The educational attainment of single mothers in Louisiana is an important factor that affects their employment opportunities, income levels, and quality of life. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers by educational level in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Educational Level	Louisiana	U.S.
Less than high school diploma	17%	13%
High school diploma or equivalent	38%	31%
Some college or associate’s degree	32%	36%
Bachelor’s degree or higher	13%	20%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have lower levels of education than the national average. About half of them have only a high school diploma or less, while only one in eight has a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Employment

The employment status of single mothers in Louisiana is another indicator that reflects their economic well-being and ability to provide for their families. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers by employment status in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Employment Status	Louisiana	U.S.
Employed	66%	69%
Unemployed	9%	7%
Not in labor force	25%	24%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have slightly lower rates of employment and higher rates of unemployment than the national average. About one in four single mothers in Louisiana is not in the labor force, meaning they are neither working nor looking for work.

Income

The income level of single mothers in Louisiana is a critical measure that affects their standard of living, access to resources, and financial security. The following table shows the median income of single mothers by source in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Income Source	Louisiana	U.S.
Earnings	$23,000	$27,000
Social Security income	$4,000	$5,000
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	$5,000	$6,000
Cash public assistance income	$2,000	$2,000
Food Stamp/SNAP benefits	$4,000	$4,000
All sources	$28,000	$34,000

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have lower incomes from all sources than the national average. The median income of single mothers from earnings is about $4,000 less than the national median, while the median income from all sources is about $6,000 less. This means that single mothers in Louisiana have less money to cover their expenses and save for the future.

Poverty

The poverty rate of single mothers in Louisiana is a stark indicator that shows the extent of economic hardship and deprivation they face. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers and their children living in poverty in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Poverty Status	Louisiana	U.S.
Single mothers below poverty level	38%	28%
Children of single mothers below poverty level	49%	40%

As the table shows, single mothers and their children in Louisiana have much higher rates of poverty than the national average. More than one in three single mothers and almost one in two children of single mothers in Louisiana live below the poverty level, which was $21,720 for a family of three in 2020. This means that many single mothers and their children in Louisiana struggle to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, health care, and education.

Financial Situation

The financial situation of single mothers in Louisiana is a composite measure that reflects their income, expenses, assets, debts, and savings. The following table shows some of the key indicators of the financial situation of single mothers in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Indicator	Louisiana	U.S.
Percent of single mothers with income below 50% of poverty level	15%	11%
Percent of single mothers with income below 200% of poverty level	75%	64%
Percent of single mothers receiving public assistance (TANF)	5%	4%
Percent of single mothers receiving Medicaid or CHIP health insurance coverage for themselves or their children	67%	55%
Percent of single mothers receiving free or reduced-price school lunch for their children	72%	61%
Percent of single mothers with no health insurance coverage for themselves or their children (under age 19)	10%	9%
Percent of single mothers with no checking or savings account (unbanked)	16%	12%
Percent of single mothers with no retirement account (IRA or 401k) or pension plan (defined benefit or defined contribution) for themselves or their spouse/partner (if any) (under age 65)	74%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have a worse financial situation than the national average. They have lower incomes relative to the poverty level, higher rates of public assistance and health insurance coverage from government programs, lower rates of private health insurance coverage and banking services, and lower rates of retirement savings. These indicators suggest that many single mothers in Louisiana have limited financial resources and face significant financial challenges.

Housing

The housing situation of single mothers in Louisiana is another factor that affects their quality of life and well-being. The following table shows some of the key indicators of the housing situation of single mothers in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Indicator	Louisiana	U.S.
Percent of single mothers who are homeowners	41%	48%
Percent of single mothers who are renters	59%	52%
Median monthly housing costs for single mothers who are homeowners (with mortgage)	$1,000	$1,200
Median monthly housing costs for single mothers who are renters	$800	$900
Percent of single mothers who are housing cost burdened (spending more than 30% of income on housing)	58%	53%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have lower rates of homeownership and higher rates of renting than the national average. They also have lower median housing costs, but higher rates of housing cost burden. This means that many single mothers in Louisiana spend a large portion of their income on housing, leaving less for other expenses and savings.

Veteran Status

The veteran status of single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their service to the country and their eligibility for certain benefits and programs. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers who are veterans in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Veteran Status	Louisiana	U.S.
Percent of single mothers who are veterans	2%	3%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have a slightly lower rate of veteran status than the national average. This means that fewer single mothers in Louisiana have served in the armed forces and may have access to veteran benefits and services.

Disability Status

The disability status of single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their physical or mental impairments and their need for assistance and accommodation. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers who have a disability in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Disability Status	Louisiana	U.S.
Percent of single mothers who have a disability	16%	14%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have a slightly higher rate of disability than the national average. This means that more single mothers in Louisiana have a condition that limits their activities or requires special care or equipment.

Place of Birth

The place of birth of single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their nativity and migration patterns. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers by place of birth in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Place of Birth	Louisiana	U.S.
Born in state of residence	84%	64%
Born in other state in the U.S.	13%	28%
Born outside the U.S. (foreign born)	3%	8%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana are more likely to be born in the state they live in and less likely to be born in another state or outside the U.S. than the national average. This means that fewer single mothers in Louisiana have moved from other places and may have stronger ties to their local communities.

Language Spoken at Home

The language spoken at home by single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their linguistic diversity and cultural identity. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers by language spoken at home in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Language Spoken at Home	Louisiana	U.S.
English only	94%	85%
Spanish or Spanish Creole	4%	11%
French or French Creole (including Cajun)	1%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana are more likely to speak only English at home and less likely to speak Spanish or Spanish Creole than the national average. However, there is a small percentage of single mothers who speak French or French Creole (including Cajun), which is a distinctive feature of Louisiana’s culture and heritage.

Occupied Housing Units

The occupied housing units by single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their living arrangements and household composition. The following table shows the percentage of occupied housing units by type and tenure for single mother families in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Type and Tenure of Occupied Housing Units for Single Mother Families	Louisiana	U.S.
Single-family detached house (owner-occupied)	28%	34%
Single-family detached house (renter-occupied)	18%	14%
Single-family attached house (owner-occupied)	2%	3%
Single-family attached house (renter-occupied)	3%	4%
Apartment in building with 2 to 4 units (owner-occupied)	1%	1%
Apartment in building with 2 to 4 units (renter-occupied)	9%	10%
Apartment in building with 5 or more units (owner-occupied)	1%	1%
Apartment in building with 5 or more units (renter-occupied)	26%	24%
Mobile home (owner-occupied)	8%	6%
Mobile home (renter-occupied)	4%	3%
Boat, RV, van, etc. (owner-occupied)	1%	1%
Boat, RV, van, etc. (renter-occupied)	1%	1%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana are less likely to live in single-family detached houses and more likely to live in apartments or mobile homes than the national average. They are also more likely to be renters than owners of their housing units.

Food

The food situation of single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their food security and nutrition. The following table shows some of the key indicators of the food situation of single mothers in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Indicator	Louisiana	U.S.
Percent of single mothers who experienced food insecurity in the past year (lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life)	27%	21%
Percent of single mothers who experienced very low food security in the past year (reduced food intake or disrupted eating patterns due to limited resources)	11%	8%
Percent of single mothers who participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) in the past year	49%	40%
Percent of single mothers who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in the past year (for pregnant or postpartum women and children under age 5)	24%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have higher rates of food insecurity and very low food security than the national average. This means that many single mothers and their children in Louisiana do not have enough food or have to skip meals or eat less due to lack of money or other resources. Single mothers in Louisiana also have higher rates of participation in SNAP and WIC, which are federal programs that provide food assistance and nutrition education to low-income families.

Transportation

The transportation situation of single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their mobility and access to opportunities. The following table shows some of the key indicators of the transportation situation of single mothers in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Indicator	Louisiana	U.S.
Percent of single mothers who have a vehicle available for personal use	83%	86%
Percent of single mothers who commute to work by driving alone	72%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have slightly lower rates of vehicle availability and driving alone than the national average. This means that some single mothers in Louisiana may have difficulty getting to work, school, health care, or other places they need to go. They may also face higher transportation costs and environmental impacts.

Childcare

The childcare situation of single mothers in Louisiana is an indicator that reflects their need for and access to quality and affordable childcare services. The following table shows some of the key indicators of the childcare situation of single mothers in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Indicator	Louisiana	U.S.
Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 living with them	41%	41%
Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in center-based childcare	16%	20%
Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in home-based childcare	18%	19%
Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in relative care	40%	36%
Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in self-care or no regular arrangement	26%	25%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have a similar rate of having young children living with them as the national average. This means that many single mothers in Louisiana need childcare services for their preschool-aged children while they work or attend school. However, finding quality and affordable childcare can be a challenge for many single mothers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a report by Child Care Aware of America, the average annual cost of center-based childcare for an infant in Louisiana was $7,200 in 2020, which was equivalent to 32% of the median income for single mother families. The average annual cost of center-based childcare for a four-year-old was $5,800, which was equivalent to 26% of the median income for single mother families. These costs are higher than the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ affordability threshold of 7% of family income.

The report also found that Louisiana had a shortage of licensed childcare providers, with only one slot available for every four children under age 6. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem, as many childcare providers have closed or reduced their capacity due to health and safety concerns, staff shortages, and financial losses.

To help single mothers and other low-income families afford childcare, Louisiana offers several programs and subsidies, such as the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which pays a portion of the childcare costs for eligible families; the School Readiness Tax Credits (SRTC), which provide tax credits to families, providers, and businesses that support quality early childhood education; and the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) network, which provides information and referrals to families looking for childcare options. However, these programs have limited funding and eligibility criteria, and may not cover the full cost or meet the full demand for childcare services.

Expenses

The expenses of single mothers in Louisiana are an indicator that reflects their spending patterns and budget constraints. The following table shows some of the key indicators of the expenses of single mothers in Louisiana, compared to the national average .

Indicator	Louisiana	U.S.
Median monthly family income for single mother families	$2,333	$2,833
Median monthly family expenses for single mother families	$2,900	$3,100
Percent of single mother families with income less than expenses (negative cash flow)	56%	49%
Percent of single mother families with income equal to expenses (zero cash flow)	9%	10%
Percent of single mother families with income more than expenses (positive cash flow)	35%	41%

As the table shows, single mothers in Louisiana have lower incomes and lower expenses than the national average. However, they also have higher rates of negative cash flow and lower rates of positive cash flow. This means that more than half of the single mother families in Louisiana spend more than they earn each month, leaving them with no savings or debt.

The main categories of expenses for single mother families in Louisiana are housing (30%), food (18%), transportation (15%), health care (9%), child care (8%), and other (20%). These expenses vary depending on the number and age of children, the type and location of housing, the mode and distance of transportation, the health status and insurance coverage, and the quality and availability of child care.

Conclusion

Single mothers in Louisiana are a diverse and resilient group that face many challenges and opportunities in their lives. They have lower levels of education, income, and homeownership than the national average. They also have higher rates of poverty, food insecurity, housing cost burden, public assistance, disability, and negative cash flow than the national average. However, they also have strong ties to their local communities, culture, and heritage. They have access to some programs and services that provide support and assistance for their needs. They have aspirations and goals for themselves and their children. They have the potential to contribute to the social and economic development of Louisiana and the nation.

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