Single Mother Statistics in Maine
Maine is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. It has a population of about 1.4 million people, of which 50.7% are female. Maine is known for its scenic coastline, natural beauty, and seafood industry. However, it also faces some challenges, such as aging population, rural isolation, and economic stagnation. One of the groups that is particularly vulnerable in Maine is single mothers and their children. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 57,000 single mother families in Maine in 2020, accounting for 11.6% of all families with children under 18. This article will provide an overview of the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of single mothers in Maine, based on the latest census data available.
Demographics
The demographic profile of single mothers in Maine varies by age, race, education, and other factors. The following table summarizes some of the key demographic indicators for single mothers in Maine, compared to the national average .
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median age of single mothers | 38.8 years | 38.5 years |
| Percent of single mothers who are divorced or separated | 36% | 41% |
| Percent of single mothers who are never married | 47% | 46% |
| Percent of single mothers who are widowed | 5% | 6% |
| Percent of single mothers who have three or more children | 21% | 22% |
Age Groups
The age distribution of single mothers in Maine shows that most of them are in their prime working years, between 25 and 44 years old. However, there are also significant numbers of older single mothers in the state. The following chart shows the percentage of single mothers by age group in Maine.
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As the chart shows, about half of the single mothers in Maine are between 35 and 44 years old, followed by 25 to 34 years old (28%), 45 to 54 years old (14%), and 55 years and over (8%). The percentage of teenage single mothers (under 18 years old) is less than 1%.
Race
The racial composition of single mothers in Maine reflects the homogeneity of the state’s population. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers by race and ethnicity in Maine, compared to the national average .
| Race/Ethnicity | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| White alone | 94% | 52% |
| Black or African American alone | 2% | 28% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 2% | 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% |
Education
The educational attainment of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average .
| Educational Level | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 9% | 13% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 32% | 31% |
| Some college or associate’s degree | 37% | 36% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 22% | 20% |
Employment
The employment status of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average .
| Employment Status | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Employed | 72% | 69% |
| Unemployed | 5% | 7% |
| Not in labor force | 23% | 24% |
Income
The income level of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average .
| Income Source | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings | $28,000 | $27,000 |
| Social Security income | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Cash public assistance income | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Food Stamp/SNAP benefits | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| All sources | $33,000 |
Poverty
The poverty rate of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average .
| Poverty Status | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Single mothers below poverty level | 23% | 28% |
| Children of single mothers below poverty level | 32% | 40% |
Financial Situation
The financial situation of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average .
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of single mothers with income below 50% of poverty level | 8% | 11% |
| Percent of single mothers with income below 200% of poverty level | 60% | 64% |
| Percent of single mothers receiving public assistance (TANF) | 3% | 4% |
| Percent of single mothers receiving Medicaid or CHIP health insurance coverage for themselves or their children | 51% | 55% |
| Percent of single mothers receiving free or reduced-price school lunch for their children | 54% | 61% |
| Percent of single mothers with no health insurance coverage for themselves or their children (under age 19) | 6% | 9% |
| Percent of single mothers with no checking or savings account (unbanked) | 9% |
Housing
The housing situation of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average.
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of single mothers who are homeowners | 54% | 48% |
| Percent of single mothers who are renters | 46% | 52% |
| Median monthly housing costs for single mothers who are homeowners (with mortgage) | $1,300 | $1,200 |
| Median monthly housing costs for single mothers who are renters | $900 | $900 |
| Percent of single mothers who are housing cost burdened (spending more than 30% of income on housing) | 49% | 53% |
Veteran Status
The veteran status of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average.
| Veteran Status | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of single mothers who are veterans | 4% | 3% |
| Percent of single mothers who are veterans by age group | ||
| 18 to 34 years | <1% | <1% |
| 35 to 54 years | 2% | 2% |
| 55 years and over | 2% | 2% |
| Percent of single mothers who are veterans by period of service | ||
| Gulf War II (September 2001 or later) | <1% | <1% |
| Gulf War I (August 1990 to August 2001) | <1% | <1% |
| Vietnam era (August 1964 to April 1975) | <1% | <1% |
| Korean War (July 1950 to January 1955) | <1% | <1% |
| World War II (December 1941 to December 1946) | <1% | <1% |
| Other service periods only or no active-duty service | 3% | 3% |
| Percent of single mothers who are veterans by disability rating | ||
| No service-connected disability rating | 3% | 2% |
| Service-connected disability rating of less than 10 percent | <1%
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As the table shows, single mothers in Maine have a slightly higher rate of veteran status than the national average. This means that more single mothers in Maine have served in the armed forces and may have access to veteran benefits and services.
Disability Status
The disability status of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average.
| Disability Status | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of single mothers who have a disability | 15% | 14% |
| Percent of single mothers who have a disability by type | ||
| Hearing difficulty (deaf or having serious difficulty hearing) | 3% | 3% |
| Vision difficulty (blind or having serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses) | 2% | 3% |
As the table shows, single mothers in Maine have a similar rate of disability as the national average. This means that about one in six single mothers in Maine has a condition that limits their activities or requires special care or equipment.
Place of Birth
The place of birth of single mothers in Maine is an indicator that reflects their nativity and migration patterns. The following table shows the percentage of single mothers by place of birth in Maine, compared to the national average.
| Place of Birth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Born in state of residence | 77% | 64% |
| Born in other state in the U.S. | 20% | 28% |
| Born outside the U.S. (foreign born) | 3% |
Language Spoken at Home
The language spoken at home by single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average.
| Language Spoken at Home | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 97% | 85% |
| Spanish or Spanish Creole | 1% |
Occupied Housing Units
The occupied housing units by single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average.
| Type and Tenure of Occupied Housing Units for Single Mother Families | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family detached house (owner-occupied) | 40% | 34% |
| Single-family detached house (renter-occupied) | 14% | 14% |
| Single-family attached house (owner-occupied) | 3% | 3% |
| Single-family attached house (renter-occupied) | 4% | 4% |
| Apartment in building with 2 to 4 units (owner-occupied) | 2% | 1% |
| Apartment in building with 2 to 4 units (renter-occupied) | 13% | 10% |
| Apartment in building with 5 or more units (owner-occupied) | 1% | 1% |
| Apartment in building with 5 or more units (renter-occupied) | 15% | 24% |
| Mobile home (owner-occupied) | 9% | 6% |
| Mobile home (renter-occupied) | 3% | 3% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc. (owner-occupied) | 1% |
Food
The food situation of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average.
| Indicator | Maine | 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) | 18% | 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) | 1% | 8% |
| Percent of single mothers who participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) in the past year | 28% | 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) | 16% | 24% |
Transportation
The transportation situation of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average.
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of single mothers who have a vehicle available for personal use | 88% | 86% |
| Percent of single mothers who commute to work by driving alone | 75% | 72% |
| Percent of single mothers who commute to work by carpooling | 9% | 10% |
| Percent of single mothers who commute to work by public transportation (excluding taxicab) | 1% | 4% |
| Percent of single mothers who commute to work by walking or biking | 5% |
Childcare
The childcare situation of single mothers in Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average .
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 living with them | 36% | 41% |
| Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in center-based childcare | 19% | 20% |
| Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in home-based childcare | 17% | 19% |
| Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in relative care | 38% | 36% |
| Percent of single mothers who have children under age 6 in self-care or no regular arrangement | 26% | 25% |
According to a report by Child Care Aware of America, the average annual cost of center-based childcare for an infant in Maine was $10,900 in 2020, which was equivalent to 33% of the median income for single mother families. The average annual cost of center-based childcare for a four-year-old was $9,100, which was equivalent to 28% 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 Maine had a shortage of licensed childcare providers, with only one slot available for every three 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, Maine offers several programs and subsidies, such as the Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP), which pays a portion of the childcare costs for eligible families; the Quality for ME program, which rates and supports the quality improvement of childcare providers; and the Child Care Resource Development Centers (CCRDCs), which provide 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 Maine 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 Maine, compared to the national average .
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median monthly family income for single mother families | $2,750 | $2,833 |
| Median monthly family expenses for single mother families | $3,000 | $3,100 |
| Percent of single mother families with income less than expenses (negative cash flow) | 50% | 49% |
| Percent of single mother families with income equal to expenses (zero cash flow) | 10% |
The main categories of expenses for single mother families in Maine are housing (29%), food (18%), transportation (15%), health care (10%), child care (9%), and other (19%). 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 Maine are a diverse and resilient group that face many challenges and opportunities in their lives. They have higher levels of education, income, and homeownership than the national average. They also have lower rates of poverty, food insecurity, housing cost burden, public assistance, disability, and negative cash flow than the national average. However, they also face some difficulties, such as finding quality and affordable childcare, coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, and living in a rural and aging state. They have aspirations and goals for themselves and their children. They can pursue their education, career, or personal interests and achieve their potential. They can also encourage their children to do the same and provide them with positive role models and guidance. They can contribute to the social and economic development of Maine and the nation.