US study finds geographic variation in childfree populations

A study published in the journal PLOS One reveals significant geographic variation in the childfree population across the United States. Researchers from Michigan State University analyzed data from the Civic Health and Institutions Project, which surveyed over 20,000 adults in 2024 to distinguish those who are childfree from those who simply do not have children yet or are unable to.

The research found that childfree adults are most prevalent in states such as California (22 percent), Michigan (19.9 percent), and New Hampshire (19.4 percent). Conversely, the lowest concentrations were found in Louisiana (9.4 percent) and the Dakotas (10 percent).

While the study noted that higher costs of living and the protection of reproductive rights are related to childfree populations, researchers concluded that individual demographic characteristics—such as age, marital status, and gender—are much stronger predictors of the choice to remain childfree. The authors suggested that state-level factors like education spending or abortion restrictions are unlikely to influence childfree residents to have children.