U.S. Divorce Statistics 2024

Comprehensive analysis of divorce rates, marriage statistics, and trends across all 50 states. Updated with the latest 2024 data from the National Center for Family & Marriage Research.

Understanding the Data: This page displays the refined divorce rate for each state, which is the number of divorces per 1,000 married women in the population. This is considered a more accurate measure for state-to-state comparison than the crude rate (divorces per 1,000 total population). The national refined divorce rate in 2024 was 14.2.

National Average

14.2
Divorces per 1,000 married women
2.1% from 2023

Highest State

20.7
Oklahoma (per 1,000 married women)
Highest in the nation

Lowest State

10.0
Maine (per 1,000 married women)
Lowest in the nation

Average Marriage Duration

12
Years before divorce (median)
Stable since 2020

Visual Analysis

Regional Analysis

Divorce rates vary significantly by region. Here's a breakdown of average divorce rates by U.S. region:

Northeast

12.2
Lowest regional average

Includes: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT

South

15.8
Highest regional average

Includes: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV

Midwest

13.7
Below national average

Includes: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI

West

14.4
Slightly above national average

Includes: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY

State-by-State Data

Search and filter through detailed divorce statistics for all 50 states. Click "Calculate Support" to access state-specific spousal support calculators.

Tip: Select states using the checkboxes, then click "Compare States" below to see side-by-side comparisons.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What state has the highest divorce rate in 2024?

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Oklahoma has the highest refined divorce rate at 20.7 divorces per 1,000 married women, followed by Nevada at 19.9 and Mississippi at 19.2. These states have consistently had higher divorce rates than the national average.

What state has the lowest divorce rate?

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Maine has the lowest refined divorce rate at 10.0, followed by New Jersey at 11.0 and Wisconsin at 10.8. These states tend to have higher education levels and later average ages at first marriage.

What is the national average divorce rate?

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The national refined divorce rate in 2024 is 14.2 divorces per 1,000 married women. The crude divorce rate (divorces per 1,000 total population) is 2.4. Both rates have been gradually declining since the early 2000s.

How has the divorce rate changed over time?

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Divorce rates peaked in the early 1980s at approximately 22.6 divorces per 1,000 married women. Since then, rates have declined by about 40%. This decline is attributed to factors including later marriages, increased education, economic factors, and changing social norms.

What is the marriage-divorce ratio?

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The marriage-divorce ratio compares the number of new marriages to divorces in a given year. A ratio of 2.0 means there are 2 new marriages for every divorce. Higher ratios (like Idaho's 3.48) indicate greater marriage stability, while lower ratios (like Rhode Island's 1.68) suggest more divorces relative to marriages.

Are divorce rates higher in certain regions?

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Yes, there are clear regional patterns. Southern states have the highest average divorce rate (15.8), followed by Western states (14.4), Midwestern states (13.7), and Northeastern states (12.2). These differences are influenced by cultural, economic, and demographic factors.

Data Sources & Notes:

State Divorce & Marriage Rates: Refined Divorce Rates (divorces per 1,000 married women) and Marriage-Divorce Ratios are based on analysis of the 2024 American Community Survey by the National Center for Family & Marriage Research (NCFMR).

National Statistics: The U.S. crude divorce rate was 2.4 per 1,000 total population in 2023. Approximately 33% of Americans who have ever been married have been divorced, with about 41% of first marriages estimated to end in divorce. The median length of a marriage ending in divorce is approximately 12 years.

Legal information compiled from state statutes and family law resources.