Diversity Statistics -- June 2011

Gays and Lesbians in the United States: Emerging Consumer Households

by Serena Tsang

What is the buying power of America's gay and lesbian couples? Although interest is growing in this figure, multiple problems exist in estimating this potential market. 

While the U.S. Census statistics (see below) only cover self-identified gay adults 18 and over, these numbers still provide a general estimate of the U.S. gay and lesbian demographic. Coupled with figures from the 2000 U.S. Census report and current U.S. state laws regarding same-sex marriage unions (specifically states that allow all or some spousal rights) also helps project the future spending power of America's gay and lesbian households.

Demographics

The research from the 2000 U.S. Census did not directly ask questions about sexual orientation or gay marriages and as a result, the report's figures are debatable. The figures are only estimates based on how people reported their household. Beginning in 1990, the Census Bureau added an "unmarried partner" category and also counted households with two members of the same sex that are unrelated and each identified themselves as householders. Same-sex unmarried partner households are likely to be gay and lesbian couples.

The 2010 census information on gay couples has not yet been compiled; however the 2000 census data shows undeniable trends:

• Total Number of Gay Couples: 594,391
• Number of People Identified in a Gay Relationship: 1.2 Million
• State with the Most Couples: California (92,138)
• State with the Least Couples: North Dakota (703)

Highest LGBT Concentration by Major Metropolitan City

• San Francisco, CA: 15.4%
• Seattle, WA: 12.9%
• Atlanta, GA: 12.8%

Lowest LGBT Concentration by Major Metropolitan City

• Detroit, MI: 1.5%
• Richmond, VA: 3.4%
• Cleveland, OH and Memphis, TN: 3.5%

Concentration of Gay Couples by State (% of all couples):

• Highest: Vermont, Washington, D.C. (each 1.29%) and California (nearly 1%)
• Lowest: North and South Dakota (.22%)

Same-Sex Marriage and Same-Sex Unions in the U.S.

States That Issue Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples:

• Massachusetts (2004)
• Connecticut (2008)
• Iowa (2009)
• Vermont (2009)
• New Hampshire (2010)
• Washington, D.C. (2010) (not a state)

States That Provide All or Some Spousal Rights and/or Recognize Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages:

• New Jersey (2006)
• Rhode Island (2008)
• New Mexico (2010)

States With Constitutions, Statutes Banning Same-Sex Marriage and/or other Same-Sex Unions. But Provide All or Some Spousal Rights and/or Recognize Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages:

• Alaska (2005)
• California (currently on hold, marriages before Proposition 8 was passed are recognized)
• Maryland (2008)
• Oregon (2008)
• Colorado (April 2009)
• Maine (2009)
• Nevada (2009)
• Washington (2009)
• New York (2010 June)
• Arizona (2011)
• Illinois (2011, effective in June)

Latest Gay Marriage Support Polls:

• Strongly favor/favor: 41%
• Oppose/strongly oppose: 47%
• Unsure: 10%

Spending Power

• The collective buying power of the U.S. LGBT community in 2008 was $712 billion.
• Gay and lesbian adults are less likely to have children and if coupled in a two-income household, the percentage of disposable income is increased.
• The buying power of gay and lesbian consumers is expected to grow to a total of $835.3 billion by 2011.

Projected Growth in Total Gay and Lesbian Buying Power, 2007-2011

(Source: Packaged Facts, Witeck-Combs Communications)

Sources:

Gay and Lesbian Demographics
http://www.urban.org/toolkit/issues/gayresearchfocus.cfm

Gay Facts and Statistics in 2011
http://www.gaylawreport.com/gay-marriage-facts-statistics/

Gay Marriage Facts and Statistics
http://www.gaylawreport.com/gay-facts-statistics-2011/

Same Sex Marriage 
http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16430

Same-Sex Marriage Laws, a State-by-State Rundown 
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-SAME_SEX_MAP_0905.html 

Geographic trends among same-sex couples in the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey 
http://www3.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/publications/ACSBriefFinal.pdf

Where Do Gay and Lesbian Couples Live?
http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/900695_gl_factsheet.pdf