How Many Same-Sex Couples Are In The U.S.?

U.S. Census Same-Sex Couple Statistics

The number of same-sex couples in the United States increased by more than 20% between 2000 and 2005. Los Angeles-based research and policy group, The Williams Institute, theorizes that this increased in the number of gay and lesbian couples may have to do with their increased willingness to disclose their sexuality.

According to the Williams Institute, the almost 770,000 same-sex couples living in the United States (based on 2005 data), live in every county and in every state. They are racially and ethnically diverse and have partners who depend upon each other financially. However, 20% of same-sex couples in the States are raising children. It's important to note that these parents have fewer economic resources, lower household income and a lower rate of home ownership than heterosexual married couples.

Same-sex couple are also:

• More racially and ethnically diverse than heterosexual couples.

California houses the most same-sex couples in the country with 92,138, followed by New York at 46,490.

• There are more male same-sex couples (51%) than female (49%).


• Same-sex partners are 40-years-old on average, eight years younger than the average heterosexual partner.