How Many Single Women in the US
The US Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics report that there are approximately 62 million adult women in the United States who are unmarried, including never-married, divorced, and widowed women. According to the latest available public data, single women make up roughly 31 percent of the adult female population in the country. This share has grown over the past decade as median age at first marriage has risen and more women choose to live independently for longer periods. The data also shows that single women are concentrated in major metropolitan areas and in states with strong technology and finance sectors, such as California, New York, and Washington.
Among the 62 million unmarried women, about 45 percent have never been married, while 38 percent are divorced and 17 percent are widowed. The largest share of single women is between the ages of 25 and 44, a group that is highly active in the labor market and in household formation. In terms of household types, single-women households now account for more than 18 million housing units nationwide, making them one of the fastest-growing segments of the US housing market. These households tend to have higher education rates than married households, with more than 40 percent holding a bachelor's degree or higher. For financial products and services, institutions are increasingly targeting this group with digital banking, investment platforms, and retirement planning tools.
Financial Profile and Income of Single Women
The median individual income for single women in the US is around 42,000 dollars per year, according to the latest public data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, this figure varies widely by age, education, and location. Single women aged 25 to 34 in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle earn median incomes above 70,000 dollars, driven by demand for tech and finance talent. In contrast, single women in rural areas and in the South tend to have lower median incomes, often below 35,000 dollars. The gender pay gap persists among single women, with full-time working women earning about 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in similar roles, according to data from the US Census Bureau and the Economic Policy Institute.
In terms of wealth and assets, single women hold a growing share of financial accounts and investment portfolios. Fidelity Investments reports that the number of women investing through its platform has increased by more than 40 percent over the past five years, with single women representing a significant portion of new accounts. Banks such as JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs have launched programs focused on financial literacy and wealth building for women, especially those living alone. The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances shows that single women have a median net worth of roughly 75,000 dollars, which is lower than the median for married-couple households but higher than that for single men in the same age group. For housing, single women are more likely to be renters than homeowners, though the homeownership rate among single women has been slowly climbing.
Key Trends and Demographic Shifts Among Single Women
One of the most notable trends is the increase in single women living alone, which now accounts for more than 28 percent of all US households. This shift is driven by delayed marriage, higher educational attainment, and greater financial independence. Cities with large single-woman populations include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Austin, where rental markets and social infrastructure are tailored to solo living. The share of single women in the workforce has also risen, with women now making up nearly 47 percent of the total US labor force. In high-skill fields such as technology, healthcare, and finance, single women are overrepresented in entry- and mid-level roles, and companies like Google, Deloitte, and JPMorgan Chase have published diversity reports highlighting this trend.