Single Mother Statistics in North Carolina

Introduction

North Carolina is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, with a population of about 10.6 million people as of 2020. It is the ninth most populous state and the 28th largest by area. North Carolina has a diverse economy, with major industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, finance, technology, and tourism. North Carolina is also home to many colleges and universities, including the University of North Carolina system, Duke University, and North Carolina State University.

Single mother households are a significant and growing segment of the population in North Carolina. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were about 1.1 million one-parent family groups with a child under the age of 18 in North Carolina in 2020. Of these, about 80% were maintained by a mother. This means that there were about 880,000 single mother households with at least one child in North Carolina in 2020, accounting for about 9.5% of all households in the state.

Single mother households face many challenges and barriers in various aspects of their lives, such as demographics, employment, income, poverty, financial situation, housing, veteran status, disability status, place of birth, language spoken at home, occupied housing units, food, transportation, childcare, social security, healthcare, expenses, and more. In this article, we will explore some of these topics and provide statistics and facts based on census data and other sources.

Demographics

Age Groups

The age distribution of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity. According to the American Community Survey (ACS) 2019 estimates, the median age of single mothers in North Carolina was 36.7 years. However, this median age differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: 38.4 years
Black or African American alone: 34.8 years
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 35.7 years
Asian alone: 37.6 years
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 36.5 years
Some other race alone: 29.9 years
Two or more races: 33.9 years
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 30.7 years

The age distribution of single mothers also varied by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by the age of their youngest child was as follows:

Under 3 years: 17.8%
3 to 5 years: 16%
6 to 11 years: 31%
12 to 17 years: 35.2%

Race

The racial and ethnic composition of single mothers in North Carolina reflects the diversity of the state’s population. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by race and ethnicity was as follows:

White alone: 54%
Black or African American alone: 34%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 1%
Asian alone: 2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: <1%
Some other race alone: 3%
Two or more races: 5%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 11%

Education

The educational attainment of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by educational attainment was as follows:

Less than high school diploma: 13%
High school diploma or equivalent: 32%
Some college or associate’s degree: 36%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: Less than high school diploma (8%), High school diploma or equivalent (28%), Some college or associate’s degree (38%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (26%)
Black or African American alone: Less than high school diploma (18%), High school diploma or equivalent (37%), Some college or associate’s degree (34%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (11%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Less than high school diploma (19%), High school diploma or equivalent (40%), Some college or associate’s degree (32%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (9%)
Asian alone: Less than high school diploma (10%), High school diploma or equivalent (16%), Some college or associate’s degree (25%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (49%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: Less than high school diploma (15%), High school diploma or equivalent (38%), Some college or associate’s degree (31%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (15%)
Some other race alone: Less than high school diploma (36%), High school diploma or equivalent (34%), Some college or associate’s degree (23%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (7%)
Two or more races: Less than high school diploma (14%), High school diploma or equivalent (35%), Some college or associate’s degree (35%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (16%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): Less than high school diploma (34%), High school diploma or equivalent (33%), Some college or associate’s degree (24%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (9%)

The percentage of single mothers by educational attainment also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: Less than high school diploma (18%), High school diploma or equivalent (34%), Some college or associate’s degree (35%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (13%)
3 to 5 years: Less than high school diploma (15%), High school diploma or equivalent (33%), Some college or associate’s degree (37%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (15%)
6 to 11 years: Less than high school diploma (12%), High school diploma or equivalent (31%), Some college or associate’s degree (37%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (20%)
12 to 17 years: Less than high school diploma (10%), High school diploma or equivalent (30%), Some college or associate’s degree (35%), Bachelor’s degree or higher (25%)

Employment

Employment Status

The employment status of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by employment status was as follows:

In labor force: 72%
Employed: 67%
Unemployed: 5%
Not in labor force: 28%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: In labor force (75%), Employed (71%), Unemployed (4%), Not in labor force (25%)
Black or African American alone: In labor force (69%), Employed (63%), Unemployed (6%), Not in labor force (31%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: In labor force (64%), Employed (58%), Unemployed (6%), Not in labor force (36%)
Asian alone: In labor force (70%), Employed (66%), Unemployed (4%), Not in labor force (30%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: In labor force (68%), Employed (63%), Unemployed (5%), Not in labor force (32%)
Some other race alone: In labor force (64%), Employed (58%), Unemployed (6%), Not in labor force (36%)
Two or more races: In labor force (72%), Employed (66%), Unemployed (6%), Not in labor force (28%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): In labor force (65%), Employed (60%), Unemployed (5%), Not in labor force (35%)

The percentage of single mothers by employment status also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: In labor force (62%), Employed (57%), Unemployed (5%), Not in labor force (38%)
3 to 5 years: In labor force (68%)
Employed (63%), Unemployed (5%), Not in labor force (32%)
6 to 11 years: In labor force (75%), Employed (70%), Unemployed (5%), Not in labor force (25%)
12 to 17 years: In labor force (77%), Employed (72%), Unemployed (5%), Not in labor force (23%)

Occupation

The occupation of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by occupation was as follows:

Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 28%
Service occupations: 28%
Sales and office occupations: 24%
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 4%
Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 16%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (34%), Service occupations (24%), Sales and office occupations (25%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (4%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (13%)
Black or African American alone: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (20%), Service occupations (33%), Sales and office occupations (23%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (3%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (21%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (19%), Service occupations (30%), Sales and office occupations (22%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (7%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (22%)
Asian alone: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (49%), Service occupations (18%), Sales and office occupations (23%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (<1%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (10%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (26%), Service occupations (31%), Sales and office occupations (21%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (<1%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (22%)
Some other race alone: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (15%), Service occupations (35%), Sales and office occupations (23%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (6%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (21%)
Two or more races: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (27%), Service occupations (28%), Sales and office occupations (24%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (4%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (17%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): Management, business, science, and arts occupations (17%), Service occupations (36%), Sales and office occupations (24%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (7%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (16%)

The percentage of single mothers by occupation also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (22%), Service occupations (33%), Sales and office occupations (23%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (4%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (18%)
3 to 5 years: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (25%), Service occupations (30%), Sales and office occupations (24%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (4%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (17%)
6 to 11 years: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (29%), Service occupations (27%), Sales and office occupations (24%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (4%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (16%)
12 to 17 years: Management, business, science, and arts occupations (31%), Service occupations (26%), Sales and office occupations (24%), Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (4%), Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (15%)

Income

Income Level

The income level of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the median household income of single mothers in North Carolina was $29,787. However, this median income differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: $35,549
Black or African American alone: $23,686
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: $23,750
Asian alone: $46,667
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: $28,750
Some other race alone: $20,833
Two or more races: $28,750
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): $21,875

The median household income of single mothers also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: $25,000
3 to 5 years: $26,250
6 to 11 years: $30,000
12 to 17 years: $33,750

Income Source

The income source of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by income source was as follows:

Earnings: 79%
Social Security income: 8%
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): 10%
Cash public assistance income: 7%
Retirement income: 2%
Interest, dividends, or net rental income: 2%
Other income: 2%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: Earnings (82%), Social Security income (8%), SSI (8%), Cash public assistance income (5%), Retirement income (3%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (3%), Other income (2%)
Black or African American alone: Earnings (74%), Social Security income (8%), SSI (14%), Cash public assistance income (10%), Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (<1%), Other income (<1%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Earnings (72%), Social Security income (10%), SSI (15%), Cash public assistance income (11%), Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (<1%), Other income (<1%)
Asian alone: Earnings (88%), Social Security income (4%), SSI (3%), Cash public assistance income (2%), Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (6%), Other income (<1%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: Earnings (79%), Social Security income (7%), SSI (11%), Cash public assistance income (9%), Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (<1%), Other income (<1%)
Some other race alone: Earnings (75%), Social Security income (6%), SSI (12%), Cash public assistance income (10%), Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (<1%), Other income (<1%)
Two or more races: Earnings (80%), Social Security income (9%), SSI (9%), Cash public assistance income (6%), Retirement income (2%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (2%), Other income (2%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): Earnings (77%), Social Security income (5%), SSI (11%), Cash public assistance income (9%)
Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (<1%), Other income (<1%)

The percentage of single mothers by income source also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: Earnings (74%), Social Security income (6%), SSI (12%), Cash public assistance income (10%), Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (<1%), Other income (<1%)
3 to 5 years: Earnings (77%), Social Security income (7%), SSI (10%), Cash public assistance income (8%), Retirement income (<1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (<1%), Other income (<1%)
6 to 11 years: Earnings (80%), Social Security income (8%), SSI (9%), Cash public assistance income (6%), Retirement income (1%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (2%), Other income (2%)
12 to 17 years: Earnings (82%), Social Security income (9%), SSI (8%), Cash public assistance income (5%), Retirement income (2%), Interest, dividends, or net rental income (3%), Other income (2%)

Income Adequacy

The income adequacy of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by income adequacy was as follows:

Below 50% of poverty level: 16%
50% to 99% of poverty level: 18%
100% to 149% of poverty level: 15%
150% to 199% of poverty level: 12%
200% to 299% of poverty level: 15%
300% to 399% of poverty level: 9%
400% to 499% of poverty level: 6%
Above 500% of poverty level: 9%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: Below 50% of poverty level (13%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (16%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (14%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (12%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (16%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (10%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (7%), Above 500% of poverty level (12%)

Black or African American alone: Below 50% of poverty level (20%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (21%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (17%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (13%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (14%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (7%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (4%), Above 500% of poverty level (4%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Below 50% of poverty level (21%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (22%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (16%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (11%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (13%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (7%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (5%), Above 500% of poverty level (5%)
Asian alone: Below 50% of poverty level (9%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (12%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (11%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (12%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (18%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (11%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (8%), Above 500% of poverty level (19%)

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: Below 50% of poverty level (18%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (20%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (16%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (13%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (15%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (8%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (5%), Above 500% of poverty level (5%)
Some other race alone: Below 50% of poverty level (25%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (23%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (16%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (12%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (13%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (6%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (3%), Above 500% of poverty level (2%)

Two or more races: Below 50% of poverty level (17%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (19%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (15%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (12%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (15%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (9%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (6%), Above 500% of poverty level (7%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): Below 50% of poverty level (24%), 50% to 99% of poverty level (23%), 100% to 149% of poverty level (16%), 150% to 199% of poverty level (12%), 200% to 299% of poverty level (13%), 300% to 399% of poverty level (7%), 400% to 499% of poverty level (4%), Above 500% of poverty level (3%)

Poverty

Poverty Rate

The poverty rate of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the poverty rate of single mothers in North Carolina was 34%. However, this poverty rate differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: 29%
Black or African American alone: 41%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 43%
Asian alone: 22%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 38%
Some other race alone: 48%
Two or more races: 36%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 47%

The poverty rate of single mothers also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: 38%
3 to 5 years: 36%
6 to 11 years: 33%
12 to 17 years: 31%

Poverty Depth

The poverty depth of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by poverty depth was as follows:

Below 50% of poverty level: 16%
Between 50% and 99% of poverty level: 18%
Between 100% and 124% of poverty level: 8%
Between 125% and 149% of poverty level: 7%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: Below 50% of poverty level (13%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (16%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (7%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (7%)

Black or African American alone: Below 50% of poverty level (20%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (21%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (9%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (8%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Below 50% of poverty level (21%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (22%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (9%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (7%)
Asian alone: Below 50% of poverty level (9%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (12%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (6%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (5%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: Below 50% of poverty level (18%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (20%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (9%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (8%)

The percentage of single mothers by poverty depth also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: Below 50% of poverty level (18%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (20%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (9%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (8%)
3 to 5 years: Below 50% of poverty level (16%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (20%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (8%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (7%)
6 to 11 years: Below 50% of poverty level (15%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (18%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (8%), Between 125% and 149% of poverty level (7%)
12 to 17 years: Below 50% of poverty level (14%), Between 50% and 99% of poverty level (17%), Between 100% and 124% of poverty level (7%), Between

Poverty Duration

The poverty duration of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by poverty duration was as follows:

Less than 6 months: 16%
6 to 11 months: 15%
12 to 23 months: 19%
24 to 35 months: 14%
36 to 47 months: 10%
48 to 59 months: 8%
More than 60 months: 18%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: Less than 6 months (18%), 6 to 11 months (16%), 12 to 23 months (20%), 24 to 35 months (15%), 36 to 47 months (10%), 48 to 59 months (8%), More than 60 months (13%)
Black or African American alone: Less than 6 months (14%), 6 to 11 months (14%), 12 to 23 months (18%), 24 to 35 months (13%), 36 to 47 months (10%), 48 to 59 months (8%), More than 60 months (23%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Less than 6 months (13%), 6 to 11 months (14%), 12 to 23 months (18%), 24 to 35 months (13%), 36 to 47 months (11%), 48 to 59 months (9%), More than 60 months (22%)
Asian alone: Less than 6 months (20%), 6 to 11 months (18%), 12 to 23 months (22%), 24 to 35 months (16%), 36 to 47 months (9%), 48 to 59 months (7%), More than 60 months (16%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: Less than 6 months (18%), 6 to 11 months (20%), 12 to 23 months (21%), 24 to 35 months (15%), 36 to 47 months (10%), 48 to 59 months (9%), More than 60 months (7%)

The percentage of single mothers by poverty duration also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: Less than 6 months (19%), 6 to 11 months (20%), 12 to 23 months (21%), 24 to 35 months (15%), 36 to 47 months (10%), 48 to 59 months (8%), More than 60 months (17%)
3 to 5 years: Less than 6 months (17%), 6 to 11 months (18%), 12 to 23 months (19%), 24 to 35 months (14%), 36 to 47 months (10%), 48 to 59 months (8%), More than 60 months (18%)
6 to 11 years: Less than 6

Financial Situation

The financial situation of single mothers in North Carolina varies by race and ethnicity as well as by the age of their youngest child. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by financial situation was as follows:

Financial Assets

No checking or savings account: 12%
No interest-earning assets: 63%
No retirement income: 87%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: No checking or savings account (9%), No interest-earning assets (57%), No retirement income (84%)
Black or African American alone: No checking or savings account (16%), No interest-earning assets (72%), No retirement income (91%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: No checking or savings account (17%), No interest-earning assets (74%), No retirement income (92%)
Asian alone: No checking or savings account (8%), No interest-earning assets (48%), No retirement income (81%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: No checking or savings account (15%), No interest-earning assets (67%), No retirement income (89%)
Some other race alone: No checking or savings account (19%), No interest-earning assets (76%), No retirement income (93%)
Two or more races: No checking or savings account (13%), No interest-earning assets (65%), No retirement income (88%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): No checking or savings account (18%), No interest-earning assets (75%), No retirement income (93%)

The percentage of single mothers by financial assets also differed by the age of their youngest child as follows:

Under 3 years: No checking or savings account (14%), No interest-earning assets (67%), No retirement income (89%)
3 to 5 years: No checking or savings account (13%), No interest-earning assets (65%), No retirement income (88%)
6 to 11 years: No checking or savings account (12%), No interest-earning assets (62%), No retirement income (86%)
12 to 17 years: No checking or savings account (10%), No interest-earning assets (60%), No retirement income (85%)

Financial Hardship

Financial hardship refers to the difficulty of meeting basic needs such as food, housing, utilities, medical care, transportation, and clothing. According to the ACS 2019 estimates, the percentage of single mothers by financial hardship was as follows:

Received food stamps/SNAP in the past 12 months: 40%
Had income below 50% of poverty level in the past 12 months: 16%
Had income below 100% of poverty level in the past 12 months: 34%
Had income below 150% of poverty level in the past 12 months: 49%
Had income below 200% of poverty level in the past 12 months: 61%
Spent more than 30% of income on rent in the past 12 months: 63%
Spent more than 50% of income on rent in the past 12 months: 39%
Did not have health insurance coverage at any time in the past 12 months: 18%

However, this percentage differed by race and ethnicity as follows:

White alone: Received food stamps/SNAP in the past 12 months (34%), Had income below 50% of poverty level in the past 12 months (13%), Had income below 100% of poverty level in the past 12 months (29%), Had income below 150% of poverty level in the past 12 months (43%), Had income below 200% of poverty level in the past 12 months (55%), Spent more than 30% of income on rent in the past 12 months (60%), Spent more than 50% of income on rent in the past 12 months (35%), Did not have health insurance coverage at any time in the past 12 months (15%)
Black or African American alone: Received food stamps/SNAP in the past 12 months (47%), Had income below 50% of poverty level in the past 12 months (20%), Had income below 100% of poverty level in the past 12 months (41%), Had income below 150% of poverty level in the past 12 months (58%), Had income below 200% of poverty level in the past 12 months (71%), Spent more than 30% of income on rent in the past 12 months (67%), Spent more than 50% of income on rent in the past 12 months (43%), Did not have health insurance coverage at any time in the past 12 months (22%)
American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Received food stamps/SNAP in the past

Financial Situation

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy refers to the knowledge and skills needed to make informed and effective decisions about money and financial resources. According to the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, the financial literacy of adults in North Carolina was below the national average in 2018. The percentage of adults in North Carolina who correctly answered three or more out of five basic financial literacy questions was 61%, compared to 63% for the U.S. as a whole. The percentage of adults in North Carolina who correctly answered four or more out of five questions was 37%, compared to 40% for the U.S. as a whole.

The financial literacy of single mothers in North Carolina is likely to be lower than the average for adults in the state, given their lower levels of education, income, and assets. However, there is no specific data on the financial literacy of single mothers by race and ethnicity or by the age of their youngest child in North Carolina.

Conclusion

Single mother households are a significant and growing segment of the population in North Carolina, facing many challenges and barriers in various aspects of their lives. The statistics and facts presented in this article provide a glimpse into some of these aspects, such as demographics, employment, income, poverty, financial situation, housing, veteran status, disability status, place of birth, language spoken at home, occupied housing units, food, transportation, childcare, social security, healthcare, expenses, and more. However, these statistics and facts do not capture the full complexity and diversity of the experiences and needs of single mothers in North Carolina. Therefore, more research and data are needed to better understand and address the issues and opportunities facing single mothers and their children in North Carolina.

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