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Partnership patterns and living arrangements of LGBTQ+ identifying US adults: Estimates from a probability-based survey

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Julian

    (Vanderbilt University)

  • D'Lane Compton

    (University of New Orleans)

  • Gayle Kaufman

    (Davidson College)

Abstract

Background: Most national surveys exclude sexual and gender identity (SOGI) measures or do not link them with household rosters and non-coresidential partnership questions, limiting demographic estimates of LGBTQ+ family life. Objective: We examine differences in relationship status and living arrangements between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ identifying US adults. Specifically, we compare the shares of those who live with a spouse, live with an unmarried partner, have a non-coresidential partner, or have no partner. We also assess household size and composition, including living alone, coresidence with children and/or other family, and living with unrelated roommates. Methods: Data come from the 2021 American Marriage Survey, a probability-based survey of 2,806 US adults recruited through the AmeriSpeak panel of the National Opinion Research Center. Results: LGBTQ+ identifying adults were less likely than non-LGBTQ+ identifying adults to be in a coresidential marital relationship but were more likely to report an unmarried cohabiting partner, a non-coresidential partner, or no partner. They were also more likely to live alone or with unrelated roommates and less likely to live with children. Consequently, LGBTQ+ identifying adults tend to live in smaller households, which may heighten social isolation risk. Conclusions: Findings underscore the need for national surveys to integrate SOGI questions with detailed measures of relationships and living arrangements to capture diverse family structures and inform policies supporting LGBTQ+ well-being. Conventional surveys often disproportionately undercount LGBTQ+ relationships by excluding non-coresidential partners. Contribution: This analysis provides nationally representative estimates of relationship status and household composition, revealing distinct partnership patterns and living arrangements among LGBTQ+ identifying adults compared to non-LGBTQ+ identifying adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Julian & D'Lane Compton & Gayle Kaufman, 2026. "Partnership patterns and living arrangements of LGBTQ+ identifying US adults: Estimates from a probability-based survey," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 54(11), pages 351-370.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:54:y:2026:i:11
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2026.54.11
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Christopher Carpenter & Gary Gates, 2008. "Gay and lesbian partnership: Evidence from California," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 45(3), pages 573-590, August.
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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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