Female same-sex couples now outnumber male same-sex couples in the U.S., according to new data published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

It wasn’t always so, at least according to census data going back to 2005.

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9% of Americans identify as LGBTQ+

That year, men made up the majority of gay domiciled couples, 54% vs. 45% of same-sex couples living together, both married and unmarried. In 2005, same sex couples could marry legally in only one state, Massachusetts.

By 2024, however, the ratio had flipped. By that year, 53% of married and unmarried same-sex couples were women, compared to 46% men. Halfway through that 20-year period in 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized nationally.

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By 2024, the share of same-sex couple households increased to about 1.0% of all U.S. households, or 1.4 million, double the number of same-sex households in 2005.

Even so, that number is far below the percentage of the total population that identifies as LGBTQ+, about 9% based on polling. Around 5% of Americans identify as bisexual.

The Census Bureau does not track the number of LGBTQ+ Americans.

Data used in the same-sex household report was collected as part of the American Community Survey, using one-year estimates for all years between 2005 and 2024, with the exception of 2020, when data collection was difficult.

One striking finding: While the number of total same-sex couples composed of women surpassed men over the last several years, income inequality was dramatic. The median annual household income of female same-sex couples was far less than their male peers: $108,500 vs. $140,500.

The share of female same-sex and male same-sex couple households with both partners employed was nearly identical at 64.2% and 64.7%, respectively.

The survey revealed that same-sex couples are more educated than their straight peers — both partners had at least a bachelor’s degree in a larger share of same-sex (32.5%) than opposite-sex (19.1%) unmarried couple households — and more racially diverse: a larger share of same-sex (31.3%) than opposite-sex (19.5%) married couple households were interracial.

While unmarried same-sex couples were roughly the same age as their straight peers, 40.6 vs. 40.1, married same-sex couples were notably younger at 49.0 vs. 53.2.

Washington, D.C., had the highest percentage of same-sex couple households of any state or state equivalent, according to the Census Bureau, confirming the Capital’s reputation as the gayest city in America per capita.

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