The number of single dads in New York City rose 9 percent over the last decade according to the latest census data — a figure that reflects a national trend but also one experts say captures a variety of living situations such as unmarried fathers living with girlfriends and fathers who share custody of their children.

Kelly Musick, a family demographer at Cornell University, said family structures are more diverse than the census numbers reflect. 

"The statistics are kind of falling behind the reality of America's changing families and in some cases not really capturing the lived experiences of these children," said Musick

But the American Academy of Matrimonial lawyers said 61 percent of their members who responded to a 2006 survey said they had experienced a growth in joint legal custody.

"These are fathers who I think are legitimately pleased about their role as a parent," said Manhattan divorce lawyer Michael Stutman, who noted moms are more willing to share custody, and men are more eager to spend time with their kids. 

Single fathers are on the rise, but single mothers decreased 11 percent, census data showed. Still, single moms far outpace the number single dads, and in 2010, roughly 83 percent of single-parent households were headed by women.