Monthly child support payments in the United States averaged $430 per month in 2010, according to new U.S. Census Bureau statistics.
The statistics show that 59% of the $41.7 billion in total payments were for child support for children under 21 ($24.4 billion), which was paid by 4.8 million parents. The remainder was paid to children over 21, parents, and other relatives or nonrelatives of the providers. Monetary support in 2010 was primarily for children, although it also included support for other nonhousehold members, such as parents or other relatives.
Other highlights of the statistics include:
- About 85% of child support providers were male and 15% were female.
- Annual child support payments averaged $5,450 from male providers and $3,500 from female providers.
- About three of every four child support providers had some type of an agreement or court order for support.
- About six-in-ten child support providers paid support for one child, three-in-ten supported two children, and the remaining one-in-ten supported three or more children.
