U.S. Census data released Thursday (July 14) shows a 40 percent jump in the number of same-sex couples in New York State between 2000 and 2010. And having released data now from a total of 18 states, the Census data indicates that the number of same-sex couples nationwide jumped 47 percent between 2000 and 2010.

The Census Bureau has been rolling out data from the 2010 decennial survey on a state-by-state basis since mid-June. The latest data, from New York and five other states, was released at 12:01 a.m. EDT Thursday.

In New York, the 2010 Census counted 65,303 same-sex couples—18,813 more than the 46,490 counted in 2000. Twenty percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 8.9 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. Not surprisingly, the county of New York (Manhattan) is the county with the highest density of same-sex couples, with 19.32 per 1,000 households. The census tract of Northwest Harbor on Long Island has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 48.15 per 1,000 households.

In the first week of rollout, data from Alabama and Hawaii hinted at a dramatic increase in the number of same-sex couples identifying themselves on the 2010 Census compared to 2000. Hawaii showed a 78 percent uptick; Alabama a 39 percent increase.

In the second week, data from California and four other states continued the trend. California showed a 36 percent increase, Delaware a 79 percent increase, Pennsylvania 59 percent, Kansas 55 percent, and Wyoming 42 percent.

Data from five more states was made available during the third week, showing North Carolina with a 68 percent increase, Nebraska with a 61 percent increase, Colorado 60 percent, Alaska 57 percent, and Connecticut 46 percent.

So far, the state with the highest density of same-sex couples is Vermont, with 10.9 same-sex couple households for every 1,000 households. California is second with 9.98 per 1,000 households.

The city or town with the highest density, thus far, is Palm Springs, California, with 115.21 same-sex couples per 1,000 households.

The majority of same-sex couple households are female couples, accounting for an average of about 64 percent of the total number of same-sex couples. An average of 23 percent of all the same-sex couples are raising children, according to analysis of the Census data by the Williams Institute, a nationally respected public policy research organization focused on issues related to sexual orientation.

The Census data reports all same-sex couple households who identified themselves as such on the Census, regardless of whether they identified their relationship as “husband or wife” or “unmarried partner.” The Census Bureau is expected to release a national count of same-sex couples for 2010 later this year. But it is already clear that the 2010 data will identify many more couples than in previous years. The count so far, with only 18 states reported, totals 359,574. The total for those same 18 states in 2000 was 244,274.

In 1990, when the Census Bureau first began separating out data of same-sex couples from heterosexual couples who identified as unmarried partners, only 145,130 same-sex unmarried partners were identified in all 50 states. In 2000, 594,391 same-sex couples nationwide identified as unmarried partners. In addition to New York, data released this week came from:

• Arizona, where the 2010 Census counted 20,948 same-sex couples—a 70 percent increase over the 12,332 reported in 2000. Twenty-two percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 8.8 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The city of Bisbee has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 20.91 per 1,000 households.
• Minnesota, where the 2010 Census counted 13,718 same-sex couples—a 50 percent increase over the 9,147 reported in 2000. Seventeen percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 6.6 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The city of Golden Valley, just west of Minneapolis, has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 23.98 per 1,000 households.
• Montana, where the 2010 Census counted 2,295 same-sex couples—an 88 percent increase over the 1,218 reported in 2000. Twenty-six percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 5.6 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The city of Missoula, home of the University of Montana, has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 8.42 per 1,000 households.
• Oklahoma, where the 2010 Census counted 9,802 same-sex couples—a 70 percent increase over the 5,763 reported in 2000. Twenty-six percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 6.7 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The City of The Village, outside Oklahoma City, has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 15.67 per 1,000 households.
• Vermont, where the 2010 Census counted 2,798 same-sex couples—a 45 percent increase over the 1,933 reported in 2000. Twenty percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 10.9 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The city of Burlington has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 15.92 per 1,000 households.

Data during the third week came from five other states:

• Alaska, where the 2010 Census counted 1,851 same-sex couples—a 57 percent increase over the 1,180 reported in 2000. Twenty-eight percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 7.17 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The city of Juneau has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 11.85 per 1,000 households.
• Colorado, where the 2010 Census counted 16,114 same-sex couples—a 60 percent increase over the 10,045 reported in 2000. Nineteen percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 8.17 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. Denver is the city with the highest density of same-sex couples, with 17.19 per 1,000 households.
• Connecticut, where the 2010 Census counted 10,747 same-sex couples—a 46 percent increase over the 7,386 reported in 2000. Twenty percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 7.84 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The town of New London has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 12.58 per 1,000 households.
• Nebraska, where the 2010 Census counted 3,749 same-sex couples—a 61 percent increase over the 2,332 reported in 2000. Twenty percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 5.2 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. Omaha is the city with the highest density of same-sex couples, with 7.81 per 1,000 households. And,
• North Carolina, where the 2010 Census counted 27,250 same-sex couples—a 68 percent increase over the 16,198 reported in 2000. Twenty-three percent are raising children. Statewide, there are 7.28 same-sex couples per 1,000 households. The town of Asheville has the highest density of same-sex couples, with 19.72 per 1,000 households.