FORBES -- Feb 14 -- Marital status of the U.S. population; 53.5%
married, 28.6% never married, 11.7% divorced or separated, 6.2% widowed
(US Census 2003). Living arrangements of U.S. households; 28.2% married
without children, 23.3% married with children, 16.4% other family
households i.e. unmarried parents, 15.2% women living alone, 11.2% men
living alone, 5.6% unmarried/unrelated roomates (US Census 2003).
Married adults are less likely to smoke, drink heavily or be physically
inactive. However, married men are more likely to be overweight
or obese than other men (Center for Disease Control and Prevention's
report "Marital Status and Health: U.S. 1999-2002). Median annual
adult income in U.S., married $27,605, single $17,057 (US Census Bureau
2004). The probability of a first marriage ending in separation
or divorce within five years is 20%. After 10 years 33%.
The probability of a premarital cohabitation breaking up within five
years is 49%. After ten years it's 62% likely (Center for
Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics 2002).

Several studies suggest married people live longer, but is has yet to
be proven decisively. An unusually high proportion of - about 15%
- of female centenarians never married. FULL ARTICLE @ FORBES