Childless Women More Common Than Ever: Census

American women are choosing to have children later in life, and many are forgoing child-rearing altogether, according to new Census Bureau data. Among women ages 40-44, 20% have no children—double the number of 30 years ago, the New York Times reports. Those who do have children are having an average of 1.9, down from 3.1 in 1976.

The study also shows a strong correlation between educational achievement and childlessness, with 27% of women aged 40-44 holding graduate or professional degrees having no children, compared to 18% for women with no education past high school. The only cohort detached from the trend is Hispanic women, with an average 2.3 children by their 40s. (More children stories.)