Updated: A vote on a marriage equality proposal happened in the closing moments of the New York State legislative session.  With the bill’s passage, New York would become the sixth state in the nation to allow gay marriage. Social Explorer takes a look at the potential impact.

The Census and American Community Survey collect data on same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried partners living together.  These numbers offer some insight into how many co-habitating same-sex partners might consider marriage if it became a legal right.

According to the 2009 American Community Survey:

• There were 581,300 same-sex unmarried partners nationwide.
• There were 42,618 unmarried same-sex partners in New York State.
• New York State accounts for 7.3% of same-sex partners living together.
• That translates to as many as 47,192 tuxedo rentals and 38,044 wedding gowns.

The New York Times household comparison tool created with Social Explorer and IPUMS data and analysis shows that unmarried same-sex partners have higher incomes than both married couples and unmarried opposite-sex partners.

Interactive Map of Same-Sex Unmarried Partners (American Community Survey 2005-09)

Check out Social Explorer’s map and report tools to find out more about same-sex couples and other groups.