Research & ministry context
Single Adult Statistics in America
Find U.S. statistics on singleness, living arrangements, dating, marriage, divorce, single parents, and widowhood. Explore the figures, follow the original sources, and find resources for the people behind the numbers.
National statistics on single adults
127 million
127 Million Singles
Singles now outnumber married adults over the age of 18.
31 / 28
31 Men, 28 Women
In 2025, the estimated median age at first marriage in the United States was about 31 years for men and 28 years for women. This has increased every year for the past 25 years with a major increase since 2007.
23%
23% of Churchgoers are Single
Less than a quarter of your church is single, but your community is over 40% single.
How to use these statistics
Table for One Ministries brings together findings from the sources linked below. Data years and definitions differ: unmarried, never married, unpartnered, and living alone describe different groups. Some studies include both married and single adults.
For research, teaching, or publication, open the original source and cite its population, data year, and findings. These ministry categories can overlap; they are not mutually exclusive census categories.
Explore eight ministry audiences
Find focused statistics, selected articles, and Christian resources for each audience.
College and young adult living arrangements
32%
Nearly 1 in 3 Students Are 25+
In fall 2023, about 32% of students enrolled in U.S. postsecondary institutions were age 25 or older—approximately 6.3 million students.
1 in 8
Living in a Parental Home
One in eight adults ages 30–34 lived in a parental home in 2025. In 2025, the share living in a parental home was:
58%
· Ages 18–24
21%
· Ages 25–29
13%
· Ages 30–34
For ages 25–29, the share rose from 17% in 2007 to 21% in 2025. For ages 30–34, 13% was the highest share in the 2007–2025 series. Men were more likely than women to live in a parental home in all three age groups.
Young adults, dating, and marriage intentions
69%
Most Never-Married Young Adults Want to Marry Someday
Among never-married U.S. adults ages 18–34 surveyed in 2023, 69% wanted to marry someday, 23% were unsure, and 8% did not want to marry.
#1
#1 Factor for Men Choosing a Mate
Raising children is the most important consideration when choosing a partner for men
Never-married and single adults
29%
More Adults Live Alone
In 2025, 39.7 million Americans lived alone, making up 29% of all U.S. households, up from 20% in 1975.
53%
Adults 18+ Single
Unmarried people in America 18 and older in 2021. This group comprised 53 percent of all U.S. residents 18 and older.
Engagement and cohabitation
14 months
14-Month Average Engagement
Among U.S. couples surveyed by The Knot who married in 2025, the average engagement lasted 14 months.
59%
59% of Adults Ages 18–44 Had Cohabited
According to Pew Research Center’s 2019 report, 59% of U.S. adults ages 18–44 had lived with an unmarried opposite-sex partner at least once, while 50% had ever married. These figures include both single and married adults.
Divorce and remarriage
3 years
3 Years to Remarry After Divorce
Singles adults who are divorced remarry just over 3 years after their last divorce, on average.
43–45%
45% First Time Marriages End in Divorce
43-45% of first marriages end in divorce, and that percentage only rises with each re-marriage.
Single parents and family income
40%
40% of all Parents are Single Parents
In 1980, about 19% of U.S. births were to unmarried women. By 2024, that share had reached about 40%—more than double the 1980 level.
54–69%
54–69% Lower Median Family Income
Among U.S. families with children under 18 in 2024, median family income was about $133,000 for married couples. With no spouse present, father-led families had a median income of about $62,000, and mother-led families about $42,000.
Compared with married-couple median income: fathers 54% lower; mothers 69% lower.
Widows and widowers
77%
77% Are Women
In 2024, women accounted for about 77% of widowed U.S. residents ages 15 and older.
Same-sex households and LGBTQ+ identification
1.4 million
Same-Sex Couple Households
In 2024, the United States had about 1.4 million same-sex couple households, including approximately 836,000 married-couple households and 551,000 unmarried-couple households.
9%
9% Identify as LGBTQ+
In 2025, 9.0% of U.S. adults identified as LGBTQ+, according to Gallup. This measures identity among all adults, including married people.
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