This is a print-friendly version of www.whitehutchinson.com/news/lenews/2017/december/article103.shtml

White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, Kansas City, MO, USA

Unpartnered share of Americans on the increase

The share of U.S. adults living without a spouse or partner has climbed from 39% in 2007 to 42% in 2017. Two important demographic trends have influenced this phenomenon. The share of adults who are married has fallen, while the share living with a romantic partner has grown. However, the increase in cohabitation has not been large enough to offset the decline in marriage, giving rise in the number of “unpartnered” Americans.

The median household income for partnered adults, either married or cohabiting, is $86,000. By contrast, the median household income for unpartnered adults is roughly $61,000.

Demographics have an influence. Adults with at least a bachelor's degree are significantly less likely to be unpartnered (31%) than less-educated adults (46%). In 2017, 51% of working-age adults without a job were not living with a spouse or partner. Among employed working-age adults, the share that were unpartnered is much less at 38%.

Almost six-in-ten unpartnered adults (58%) have never been married. About one fifth of unpartnered adults (21%) are divorced, 14% are widowed, and the remainder are either separated or married without a spouse present in the household.

Implications for CLVs

Single young adults (under age 35) are now over six of every ten young adults (61%). They are a growing demographic to target.

© 1999 - 2026, White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, Inc.
The contents of this website and eNewsletters are protected by USA and international copyright law. Permission is granted to download and print single copites of any of the contents or articles for personal use. No other copies may be made. Educational institutions may obtain permission to make multiple copies for classroom use by e-mailing us with details. The contents of articles may be quoted provided credit is given to the "(author's name), White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, Kansas City, MO, USA". All other rights for use or reproduction of the contents and articles are reserved.