Single-parent families may experience more stress and economic strain than dual-parent households with two incomes. Children in these families can be at risk of poorer health and educational outcomes. However, children may also have opportunities to build resilience and experience a larger community through the support of extended family and friends.

In 2017-21, 26% of white, 61% of African American and 56% of Hispanic families in Lancaster County were single-parent families. Since 2000, rates among Hispanic and white families increased by 8 points and 2 points respectively, while the rate decreased by 5 points among African American families. The county's rate of single-parent Hispanic families was similar to the statewide rate and higher than the national rate, while the rates for African American and white families in Lancaster were lower than the state and nation.

Within Lancaster County, the City of Lancaster's rates were higher than the County's among all groups, with 56% of white families, 64% of Hispanic families, and 70% of African American families headed by a single parent.

Explanations about why more children of color are growing up in single-parent households include the deliberate dismantling of Black families during slavery and its enduring influence on family structure. The high incarceration rates of men of color, economic strain and changing attitudes about marriage also influence these disparities.

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.