Many people think that 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce, but that number is outdated and comes from estimates made in the 1970s. Today, the U.S. still has a high divorce rate, but it is lower than many people think. New factors are also changing who gets married and divorced, including whether people get married again after a divorce.
Below, we examine facts about the divorce rate in America in 2026, including recent trends, potential causes, and where the divorce rate is heading to in the future.
Recent Divorce Trends in the United States
Many marriages still end in divorce, but marriages today are stronger than they were in the 1970s. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI)[1] says the divorce rate after 10 years of marriage has gone down over the past 50 years.
According to the AEI, this may be because people are waiting longer to get married. Having more time to choose a partner may help couples stay together longer.
Gray Divorce Is an Increasing Concern
Another trend is the dramatic increase in “gray divorce” since 1990. Gray divorce is when couples over age 50 split up, and the Pew Research Center reports a peak of 11% in this phenomenon in 2008. Since then, the rate has remained relatively stable, with 2023 ending at 10.3%.
The American Psychological Association[2] reports that these people face special financial and emotional challenges when ending long-term marriages. The rate has tripled since 1990, leaving many couples to divide their assets and make sure they have enough money for retirement.
Quick Facts About Divorce in the U.S. Today
The Pew Research Center study also found the following facts about divorce in America:
- Nearly 1 in 3 married people’s first union ended in divorce, at a rate of 47% in the 1970s, but only 13% by 2010.
- People with a bachelor’s degree or higher are less likely to get divorced than those with a high school diploma or some college education.
- While divorced men are less likely to hold a job after their marriage ends, women are more likely to be employed after divorce.
- Black Americans are most likely to get divorced, while Asian individuals are least likely.
- Those born in the U.S. get divorced at a 36% rate, compared with those born outside the U.S. at 22%.
- Divorced individuals are more likely to have less household income and wealth than those who remain married.
- Up to ⅔ of people who get divorced after their first marriage will remarry, at a rate of 68% for men and 64% for women.
In Texas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[3] reports a rate of 2.1 divorces per 1,000 residents, slightly below the national average of 2.4. During the COVID-19 years (2020-2021), there was a slight dip in the Texas rate, going as low as 1.4 per 1,000. The Lone Star State’s highest level occurred in 1990 at 5.5.
Texas has a divorce rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents, just under the national rate of 2.4.
Who Files for Divorce More?
A Psychology Today[4] article reports that women file for divorce about 70% of the time. But this number can be misleading. Many women say their husbands start talking about divorce but do not file. A Time Magazine article also states that women often do most of the housework and childcare, so they often end up filing for divorce.
Because of this, many divorced women stay single instead of getting married again, even if money is harder. Data from a ScienceDirect[5] article shows women are more likely to be poor after divorce, work more, and take care of all the children. Still, many choose to live alone instead of remarrying.
Current Trends Affecting the Divorce Rate
Some trends affecting the U.S. divorce rate are not directly about divorce. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 America’s Families and Living Arrangements[6] report shows that as many as 56% of people ages 18 to 24 live with their parents instead of getting married. About 16% of adults ages 25 to 34 also still live in their childhood home.
Less Pressure to Marry
Another trend is people who live together and have children but never marry. The Pew Research Center[7] reports that up to 35% of parenting arrangements fall into this group. These couples may face legal issues when dividing property and handling child custody, since they may first need to establish paternity.
They also may have less social support and fewer benefits from marriage when raising children. The Bank of America Institute[8] reports that childcare costs have risen a lot, causing many people to question whether they can afford to have children, whether married or not.
Changing Attitudes Toward Marriage
Before the 1970s, most people grew up with the idea that everyone got married, had kids, bought a house, and died after a long marriage. Yet modern attitudes among all age groups indicate that marriage doesn’t hold the allure it once did.
According to data published by the American Sociological Association (ASA)[9], fewer women and men report an interest in getting married. Between 2021 and 2022, women’s expectation that they would get married dropped 14%, while men’s level dropped half that amount. In addition, 3% fewer women expected to never get married, and they were 11% less likely to think they would be a very good wife.
Other Life Goals or Concerns
Many people choose to focus on school or their jobs instead of getting married and starting a family. They may still want these things later, but wait until they reach their goals first.
Other reasons include money worries, caring for older parents, or wanting more freedom. Some single parents also move back in with their parents or choose to stay unmarried while raising their children.
Prenuptial Agreements Can Ease Divorce Concerns
One way to reduce problems that could lead to divorce is to create a prenuptial agreement before marriage. Couples often work with a family law attorney to make a plan. In these talks, they discuss money, children, living plans, and other important topics. This helps them see where they agree or disagree and reach a fair plan.
A 2022 online survey by The Harris Poll[10] shows that up to 15% of couples sign prenups before marriage. This is up from 3% in 2010. About 42% of couples also support prenups as a way to protect their personal and shared interests in marriage.
These agreements set rules for how to divide money and property if a divorce happens. They can also help decide child custody, support, and visitation, which can make the process less emotional if the marriage ends.
Our Brazoria County Family Law Attorneys Can Help You Plan for Marriage or Divorce
The best approach for managing a domestic partnership or marriage in Texas is to contact a qualified family law firm to discuss your needs for a prenup, divorce, child custody, or other aspects that may affect marriage or children. Contact the divorce lawyers at Terry & Roberts today to learn more about how we can help by using our online form today.
[1] https://www.aei.org/op-eds/divorce-in-decline-about-40-of-todays-marriages-will-end-in-divorce/
[2] https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/11/navigating-late-in-life-divorce
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/marriage-divorce/state-divorce-rates-90-95-00-22.pdf
[4] https://time.com/7344525/why-women-divorce/
[5] https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/308596/1-s2.0-S2352250X21X00048/1-s2.0-S2352250X21001299/main.pdf
[6] https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2023/demo/families/cps-2023.html
[7] https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/04/25/the-changing-profile-of-unmarried-parents/#fn-39624-2
[8] https://institute.bankofamerica.com/content/dam/economic-insights/childcare-costs.pdf
[9] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23780231241241035
[10] https://theharrispoll.com/articles/popularity-of-prenups-rising-2022/