TY  - JOUR
A1  - Iceland, John
T1  - US disparities in affluence by household structure, 1959 to 2017
Y1  - 2021/04/01
JF  - Demographic Research
JO  - Demographic Research
SN  - 1435-9871
SP  - 653
EP  - 698
DO  - 10.4054/DemRes.2021.44.28
VL  - 44
IS  - 28
UR  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol44/28/
L1  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol44/28/44-28.pdf
L2  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol44/28/44-28.pdf
N2  - Background: This study examines trends in affluence ‒ as indicated by high household income ‒ by household structure over the 1959 to 2017 period. I contrast the experiences of married-couple households, whose share of all households declined substantially over time, with those of single-parent households, cohabiting couples, individuals living alone, and people living with nonrelatives. 

Methods: I use data from multiple censuses and the American Community Survey and logistic regression. 

Results: Levels of absolute affluence rose substantially for all household types, reflecting rising living standards. Married-couple households were the most likely to be affluent and single-parent households were the least. Moreover, the affluence gap between married-couple households and all others widened. Married couples fared better because they experienced larger increases in wages and other important sources of income, such as from investments and retirement. 

Conclusions: The findings suggest that married-couple households benefit from a collective work strategy and economies of scale that increase their likelihood of affluence. Positive selectivity into marriage may also have increased over time. 

Contribution: This study provides timely new information on changing gaps in affluence by household structure during a period of substantial change in household living arrangements and economic well-being. 

ER  -