How does marriage vary by state?

Every year, the US Census Bureau conducts the American Community Survey (ACS) to collect vital information about our nation, including marriage data. And although marriage is becoming less common, it remains an important aspect of life for many Americans.

In 2021, 47.3% of households in the United States had married couples.

The demographics of these couples change state by state. For example, people in the Midwest are not just more likely to be married, but also more likely to be married younger and longer compared to the rest of the United States. On the other hand, the West Coast, Northeast, and Florida have higher proportions of same-sex couples, and a later median age of first marriage.

How does marriage and divorce rate vary by state?

The US Census Bureau calculates marriage and divorce rate as the “number of women who were married or divorced within the last year, per 1,000 women aged 15 years and older.”

Alaska had 2021's highest marriage rate at 23.5 marriages per every 1,000 women over 15. Utah followed at 22.3 and Colorado was in third place with a marriage rate of 19.8.

The divorce rate also varies by state, ranging from 4.3 in New Hampshire to 11.1 in Idaho.

At what age do most people get married (for the first time)?

Both men and women are marrying later in life. In 1973, the median age of first marriage was 22.1 (23.2 for men and 21 for women). In 2021, the national median age of first marriage was about 29.2 years old (30.2 for men and 28.1 for women).  This is a 32% increase in the last 48 years.

People in Utah tend to get married the earliest, at 25.8 years old. People in Massachusetts tend to get married later in life, at 31.3 years old. The US Census Bureau also collects data from Washington, DC — the District has an even higher age at first marriage of 31.95.

Which states have the highest share of married people?

Nationally, 66.62% of people older than 15 have been married at least once.

The proportion of married people is highest in Idaho, where 72.6% of residents over the age of 15 have been married at least once. The proportion is lowest in New York, where 61.29% of residents over the age of 15 have been married at least once. Washington, DC is once again an outlier, as 44.66% of residents over the age of 15 have been married at least once.

Which states have the highest share of married same-sex couples?

In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled on Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. The number of same-sex marriages has increased throughout the country ever since. As of 2021, the West Coast, Northeast, and Florida have the highest proportion of same-sex marriages.

Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee were originally sued for banning same-sex marriage. They continue to have some of the lowest shares of married same-sex couples.

Where are people married the longest?

On average, marriages are shortest in the Western United States. Alaska had the shortest median duration for current marriage, at 16.8 years long. The median duration is highest in West Virginia, at 22.6 years.

With median duration of 10.5 years, Washington, DC, is again an outlier.

Where a person lives can impact many aspects of their life – including their love life. ACS data shows us that marriages across the United States are as diverse as the country itself.

Learn more about the state of marriage and relationships in the US, the state of gay marriage in the US, and get the data directly in your inbox by signing up for our email newsletter.