Divorce Rates by State: What You Need to Know

Thinking about how often couples split in different parts of the US? The numbers can surprise you. Some states see half the divorces of others, and the reasons go beyond just romance. In this guide you’ll get the core facts, a quick look at why the gaps exist, and a shortcut to the freshest data.

What drives differences across states

First off, age matters. States where people marry later, like New York or Massachusetts, usually report lower divorce percentages. Younger marriage ages in places like Mississippi often push the rate up.

Economics play a big role too. Higher median incomes and stable jobs tend to keep couples together longer. That’s why Washington and Colorado rank near the bottom of the divorce list. On the flip side, states with higher unemployment or lower household earnings see more splits.

Culture and religion matter as well. Areas with strong religious communities often report fewer divorces because of social pressure and shared values. Look at Utah or the Bible Belt states for that pattern.

Another factor is education. College‑educated adults tend to divorce less, so states with higher bachelor’s degree rates—like Vermont—show lower numbers.

Where to get up‑to‑date numbers

The best free source is the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. They release annual divorce‑rate tables broken down by state. Just search for “CDC divorce rates by state 2024” and you’ll find a CSV you can download.

If you prefer a visual, the US Census Bureau’s “Marriage and Divorce” reports include charts that update every year. State health departments also post quarterly figures on their websites.

For a quick snapshot, websites like Statista or Pew Research pull the CDC data into easy‑to‑read graphs. Keep an eye on the date they publish—rates can shift a few points from one year to the next.

Finally, set up a Google Alert for “divorce rates by state” if you want the latest headlines without hunting them down every week.

Armed with these sources, you can compare any two states in minutes. Just pull the latest per‑1,000‑adult figure, note the year, and you’ve got a solid baseline for spotting trends or planning research.

Bottom line: Divorce rates vary because of age, money, education, and culture. Reliable, up‑to‑date stats are only a click away, letting you see the full picture without the guesswork.