What does this measure?

The proportion of single-parent families with children under 18 in various racial and ethnic groups.

Why is this important?

Children in single-parent families are far more likely to grow up in low-income households than those living with two parents. They are at greater risk of low academic performance and behavioral problems and may experience parental conflict and residential instability as well. Throughout the nation, racial disparities across many indicators of well-being (including single parenthood) are persistent, troubling and in need of attention.

How is our county performing?

In 2013-17, 35% of white, 57% of African American and 53% of Hispanic families in Berks County were single-parent families, as were 5% of Asian families. The rate increased for white families (up 6 points) and Hispanic families (up 8 points) since 2000. The county's rates for Hispanics were similar to rates in the state, lower for African Americans and higher for White families. Rates in Berks were also fairly comparable to Lancaster.

Within Berks County, the City of Reading's rates were higher, with 55% of white and Hispanic families, 62% of African American families and 17% of Asian families headed by a single parent.

Notes about the data

For additional detail as to how the Berks County regions are defined and which boroughs and townships are included in each, see the About Us page.

The multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. However, because the information came from a survey, the samples responding to the survey were not always large enough to produce reliable results, especially in small geographic areas. CGR has noted on data tables the estimates with relatively large margins of error. Estimates with three asterisks have the largest margins, plus or minus 50% or more of the estimate. Two asterisks mean plus or minus 35%-50%, and one asterisk means plus or minus 20%-35%. For all estimates, the confidence level is 90%, meaning there is 90% probability the true value (if the whole population were surveyed) would be within the margin of error (or confidence interval). The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are released annually in December.

There may be additional research available on this topic. Click on Reports and Resources to learn more.