Characteristics of Opposite-sex and Same-sex Couple Households

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The following table lists characteristics in opposite-sex and same-sex households according to the 2010 U.S. Census. (Data in percent unless otherwise noted.)

Married opposite-sex couplesUnmarried opposite-sex couplesUnmarried same-sex couples
All Respondents (number)55,704,7816,174,759593,324
Average age of householder (years)50.938.146.9
Average age of spouse/partner (years)50.037.345.2
Percent of couples interracial6.312.513.3
Educational Attainment
Householder has at least a Bachelor's degree35.321.249.4
Both partners with at least a Bachelor's degree21.710.731.0
Employment Status
Householder employed67.574.575.0
Both partners employed47.253.959.4
Children in the Household
All Children in the Household41.241.817.5
Own Children in the Household41.238.516.3
Household income
Less than $35,00017.432.616.1
$35,000 to $49,99913.017.110.5
$50,000 to $74,99921.022.018.3
$75,000 to $99,99916.412.715.8
$100,000 or more32.115.739.3
Average Household Income (dollars)$92,839$62,857$103,980
Home Tenure
Own81.443.270.1
Rent18.656.829.9

Source: Married-Couple and Unmarried-Partner Households: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2010.
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