Census shows changing make-up of Pa. homes

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Fewer Pennsylvania households are now headed by married couples, while the number of same-sex partner homes in the commonwealth is on the rise.

Figures from the 2010 census show a decline in what has been perceived to be the “traditional” household — those headed by a husband and wife. They led 2.41 million homes, or 48 percent of Pennsylvania homes in 2010, compared to 2.46 million homes or nearly 52 percent a decade ago.

Conversely, more homes are headed by unmarried partners. And the Census Bureau in 2010 also increased outreach efforts to the gay and lesbian communities.

There was a nearly 60 percent increase in the number of same-sex unmarried partner homes to more than 33,000. Philadelphia had the largest number of such households.