The spatial distribution of the U.S. childfree population: Does state context matter?

Abstract

Childfree adults do not have and do not want children, and represent a large and growing fraction of the total population in the United States. However, we know relatively little about where childfree adults live, or whether the features of their state's context are associated with being childfree. In this study, we use data from 20,118 respondents in all 50 states to better understand the childfree population's spatial characteristics. Despite substantial between-state variation in prevalence, from 22% in California to 9.4% in Louisiana, there is no evidence that this population is clustered in specific multi-state regions. Additionally, mixed-effects model estimates suggest that although being childfree was more common in more populated states with higher costs of living, individual demographic characteristics are much more strongly associated with being childfree. We conclude by discussing the policy implications of these findings, and identifying future directions that are highlighted by this study's limitations.