Divorce Rates by State

Introduction

Divorce rates in the United States have been on the rise for over four decades. The average divorce rate is estimated to be around 14.9 divorces per 1000 marriages, which was recorded in the 2019 American Community Survey. Divorces among same-sex couples have also increased significantly since 2015 when they became legally recognized across all 50 states in the US; such couples account for an estimated 0.4 percent of all dissolutions nationwide each year during the past five years combined. Financial problems are a common cause of marital disruption; studies show that couples who do not manage their money well are twice as likely to get divorced than those who handle their finances effectively and efficiently together as a couple. Unhappiness is another key factor often cited by couples who decide to part ways; according to recent surveys conducted by mental health professionals, 67% of couples seeking counseling report feeling unhappy or dissatisfied with their marriages before initiating divorce proceedings.