America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers

More Children Live With Half Siblings Than Previously Thought

Of the 73.5 million children under age 18 in 2014, 17.0% (12.5 million children) were living with at least one half sibling also under 18.  

These estimates come from the redesigned Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) 2014.

The latest estimate is six percentage points higher than the percent of children living with a half sibling shown in the previous SIPP panel in 2009 (10.8%). 

Changes to the data collection process for these estimates explain these differences more so than an actual change in American families between 2009 and 2014.

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Unlike previous panels, the 2014 SIPP includes an expanded fertility section that includes whether people have children with more than one person.

Sibling information now comes from answers to these new fertility and demographic questions. There were also changes to data processing that improved the accuracy of sibling estimates.

These estimates allow for a more detailed analysis of children’s living arrangements and how they are linked to child well-being.

To learn more, continue reading...

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America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness, and population. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.