Marriage in the U.S. has been moving out of reach for many people, with the marriage rate slipping to 5.1 per 1,000 total population in 2021, the lowest since 1867. At the same time, first marriage is happening much later, with men reaching a median age of 30.1 in 2021 and women 28.6, up sharply from 1950. These shifts show up differently by region, education, and race, and the totals hide a lot of tension underneath.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. median age at first marriage for men rose to 30.1 years in 2021, up from 22.5 in 1950
- Women’s median age first marriage 28.6 years 2021, from 20.3 in 1950
- From 1970-2021, men’s first marriage age up 8.5 years
- Cohabitation rate tripled since 1980; 59% of adults 18-44 cohabited by 2019
- 18 million U.S. adults cohabiting in 2022, up from 3 million in 1980
- 70% of couples cohabit before first marriage today vs 10% in 1960
- U.S. divorce rate fell to 2.5 per 1,000 in 2021, lowest in decades
- From 2000-2021, divorces declined 30%, from 944,000 to 689,000 annually
- Divorce rate for women 15-44: 15.7/1,000 in 2019 vs 23+ in 1990
- Economic inequality explains 40% of marriage decline per studies
- 60% of low-income adults under 35 unmarried vs 20% high-income
- Student debt delays marriage for 25% of millennials
- In 2021, the U.S. marriage rate dropped to 5.1 per 1,000 total population, the lowest since 1867
- From 2000 to 2020, U.S. marriages declined by 60%, from 2.3 million to 1.5 million annually
- Marriage rate for women aged 15-44 fell from 76.5 per 1,000 in 1990 to 31.1 in 2019
Americans are marrying later and less, with first marriage and overall rates hitting multi-decade lows.
Age at First Marriage
1U.S. median age at first marriage for men rose to 30.1 years in 2021, up from 22.5 in 1950
Verified
2Women’s median age first marriage 28.6 years 2021, from 20.3 in 1950
Verified
3From 1970-2021, men’s first marriage age up 8.5 years
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4College-educated men marry first at 31.2 years median
Directional
5Non-college men at 27.5 years first marriage
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6Black men median first marriage age 32.3 years, highest
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7Asian women youngest at 27.9 years first marriage
Directional
8In 2000, median age men 26.8, women 25.1; by 2020 30.5/28.6
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9Ages 25-34 never-married rate 63% for men 2021
Single source
1035% of women 25-34 never married 2021, up from 10% in 1980
Directional
11Rural men marry younger at 28.9 vs urban 30.4
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12Northeast median age highest: men 31.5, women 29.2
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13South lowest: men 28.7, women 26.8 median
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14From 2010-2020, age at marriage rose 1.5 years for both genders
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1550% of Gen Z expected to marry after 30, per projections
Directional
16HS dropouts men marry at 25.2 years, earliest group
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17Postgrad women at 31.8 years first marriage, latest
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18Hispanic men 28.1 years, women 26.0 first marriage median
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19White non-Hispanic men 29.8, women 27.9
Directional
2072% of adults married by 30 in 1960 vs 26% today
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21Projected: by 2030, median age men 31+, women 29+
Single source
22California median age men 31.2, highest state
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23Utah lowest at 26.1 men, 24.0 women
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24New York women 29.5 median first marriage
Directional
25Texas men 28.9 years average
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2634% of adults 18-34 never married in 2023, up 12% from 2010
Verified
27In 2022, 37% of men 30-49 never married, record high
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Age at First Marriage Interpretation
We've gone from a society that sprinted to the altar to one that seems to be taking the scenic route, carefully collecting degrees, establishing careers, and generally adulting for a full decade before even considering a registry.
Cohabitation Trends
1Cohabitation rate tripled since 1980; 59% of adults 18-44 cohabited by 2019
Directional
218 million U.S. adults cohabiting in 2022, up from 3 million in 1980
Single source
370% of couples cohabit before first marriage today vs 10% in 1960
Verified
4Median duration of cohabitation 18 months before marriage
Verified
520% of cohabiting unions dissolve within 1 year, 50% within 5 years
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6Serial cohabitation: 30% of women cohabit 3+ times before marriage
Directional
7Cohabiting couples with children: 4 million households 2021
Single source
8Only 40% of cohabitations transition to marriage within 4 years
Single source
9Black adults cohabit at 2x rate of whites: 15% vs 7% 2022
Single source
10Less-educated adults 3x more likely to cohabit than marry
Directional
1115% of U.S. households cohabiting in 2022, up from 3% 1960
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12Young adults 18-24: 9% cohabiting vs 4% married 2021
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13Ages 25-34: 16% cohabiting, 29% married
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14Northeast cohabitation rate 11%, highest region
Single source
15West 10%, South 8%, Midwest 7% cohabiting households
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16Urban cohabitation 12% vs rural 6% of households
Directional
1766% of first births to cohabiting parents among less-educated
Single source
18Cohabiting fertility rate higher than married for young adults
Directional
19Pandemic: cohabitation up 5% in 2020 as alternative to marriage
Directional
2025% of cohabiting couples have one partner previously married
Directional
21Same-sex cohabitation doubled to 1% of households 2008-2019
Verified
2248% of young adults prefer cohabitation over marriage first
Single source
23California 12.5% cohabiting households, highest state
Verified
24Utah lowest cohabitation 4.2%, marriage-heavy
Directional
25NYC cohabitation 18% of young adult couples
Verified
2633% of women 30-44 have cohabited but never married
Verified
27Never-married single adults rose to 35% of 25-54 pop 2021
Single source
Cohabitation Trends Interpretation
The statistics paint cohabitation as the new normal, a trial period with no guarantee of renewal, where the road to marriage is now a winding, often circular, driveway.
Divorce Rates
1U.S. divorce rate fell to 2.5 per 1,000 in 2021, lowest in decades
Single source
2From 2000-2021, divorces declined 30%, from 944,000 to 689,000 annually
Verified
3Divorce rate for women 15-44: 15.7/1,000 in 2019 vs 23+ in 1990
Verified
442% of first marriages end in divorce within 15 years, down from 50%+
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5Gray divorce (50+) rate doubled from 1990-2010 to 10/1,000
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6In 2022, 673,989 divorces reported, down 1% from 2021
Single source
7Black divorce rate highest at 6.6/1,000 in 2021
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8White divorce rate 2.2/1,000, Hispanic 2.0/1,000 in 2021
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950% of marriages of women with no college end in divorce in 20 years
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10College grads divorce rate 25% lower than non-grads
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11Median duration of divorces: 8 years for first marriages
Single source
12Divorce filings dropped 10% in 2020 due to pandemic
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13Women initiate 69% of divorces per recent studies
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14Remarriage divorce rate 60% within 5 years, higher than first
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15Northeast divorce rate lowest at 2.0/1,000 avg
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16South highest divorce rate 2.8/1,000 pre-2020
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17Ages 25-34 divorce rate 20.5/1,000 women 2019
Directional
18Ages 35-44: 18.2/1,000 divorce rate for women
Verified
1945% of first marriages of high school dropouts end in 10 years
Directional
20Overall U.S. divorce-to-marriage ratio 45% in 2021, down from 50%+
Directional
21California divorces fell 15% in 2020 to 80,000+
Verified
22Texas 120,000+ divorces 2020, down 5%
Single source
23Florida divorce count 70,000+ in 2020, stable low
Verified
24Nevada divorce rate 4.2/1,000 in 2021, high
Directional
25Post-2020 rebound: divorces up 9% in 2021-2022
Verified
26Median age first divorce men 30.5 years, women 28.8 in recent data
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2725% of divorces involve children under 18
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28Serial divorces: 10% of adults divorced 3+ times
Directional
Divorce Rates Interpretation
While overall marriage appears to be on a more stable, deliberate diet—with younger couples staying together longer and the national divorce rate at a historic low—the institution's persistent inequalities show it's still a rigorous fitness test that many, particularly those without a college degree or in remarriages, continue to fail, and the midlife crowd is sprinting for the exit in record numbers.
Economic Factors
1Economic inequality explains 40% of marriage decline per studies
Verified
260% of low-income adults under 35 unmarried vs 20% high-income
Verified
3Student debt delays marriage for 25% of millennials
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4Unemployment correlates with 15% lower marriage rates
Directional
5Housing costs: $100k+ income needed for marriage in coastal cities
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6Wage stagnation since 1970s reduced marriage by 20%
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780% of men with jobs marry by 40 vs 50% unemployed
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8Blue-collar job loss tied to 30% marriage drop in Rust Belt
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9College premium: grads 75% married vs 50% non-grads at 30-44
Single source
10Gini coefficient rise correlates with never-married up 10%
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1155% cite finances as barrier to marriage in surveys
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12Median home price up 400% since 1980, delaying family formation
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13Gig economy workers 2x less likely to marry
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14Black male incarceration reduces marriage pool by 20%, economic impact
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15Women out-earning men delays marriage in 40% couples
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16Rural poverty areas: marriage rates 4/1,000 vs urban affluent 8+
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17Inflation 2022: 25% delayed weddings due to costs
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18Corporate jobs vs service: 65% vs 40% marriage rates
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1945% of young adults say can't afford marriage ceremonies
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20Income inequality by state: correlates r=0.7 with low marriage rates
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21California vs Utah: high cost states 30% lower marriage
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22Post-recession 2008: marriage down 15% persistently
Directional
2370% of never-married cite "not found right partner" but econ factors underlie
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24Women's labor participation up 50% since 1970 reduces traditional marriage
Directional
25Childcare costs $10k+/yr deter marriage/family
Verified
Economic Factors Interpretation
It seems Cupid’s arrows can no longer fly without a stable economic launchpad, as the modern altar is built upon the increasingly shaky foundations of debt, inequality, and the soul-crushing cost of a decent roof overhead.
Marriage Rates
1In 2021, the U.S. marriage rate dropped to 5.1 per 1,000 total population, the lowest since 1867
Verified
2From 2000 to 2020, U.S. marriages declined by 60%, from 2.3 million to 1.5 million annually
Directional
3Marriage rate for women aged 15-44 fell from 76.5 per 1,000 in 1990 to 31.1 in 2019
Directional
4In 2022, only 46% of U.S. adults aged 25+ were married, down from 72% in 1960
Single source
5U.S. first marriage rate for men dropped 50% from 1970 to 2020
Verified
6Provisional 2020 U.S. marriage rate was 5.1/1,000, a 17% decline from 2019
Verified
7In 2019, marriage rate was lowest for ages 25-34 at 21.7/1,000 women
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8U.S. marriages totaled 1,676,911 in 2020, down 863,000 from 2019 peak
Verified
9From 1990-2021, crude marriage rate halved from 9.8 to 5.1/1,000
Verified
10Among millennials, only 44% married by age 30 vs 61% of Gen X
Single source
11Black Americans' marriage rate fell to 17.3/1,000 in 2021 from 30+ in 1990
Verified
12Hispanic marriage rate 14.2/1,000 in 2021, down from 25+ in 2000
Directional
13White non-Hispanic marriage rate 5.4/1,000 in 2021, stable but low
Directional
14Asian marriage rate 6.8/1,000 in 2021, lowest among groups historically
Verified
15In 2022, 34 states reported marriage rates below 6/1,000 population
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16California marriages fell 40% from 2019 to 2020 to 146,633
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17New York marriage count dropped 55% in 2020 to 85,000+
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18Florida saw 25% decline in marriages 2019-2020 to 200,000+
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19Texas marriages down 20% to 300,000+ in 2020
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20Nevada, marriage capital, rate fell to 20.3/1,000 in 2021 from 25+
Directional
21From 2010-2020, U.S. marriage rate averaged 6.5/1,000, down from 8.2
Verified
2225% fewer marriages in 2020 vs pre-pandemic average
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23Marriage rate for ages 35-44: 22.4/1,000 women in 2019
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24Rates lowest in Northeast U.S. at 4.5/1,000 avg 2015-2019
Single source
25West region marriage rate 6.1/1,000 2015-2019
Single source
26Midwest 6.8/1,000, South 6.7/1,000 avg pre-2020
Verified
27Urban areas marriage rate 5.8/1,000 vs rural 6.2/1,000 2018
Directional
28College grads marriage rate higher at 7.2/1,000 vs non-grads
Verified
29No HS diploma marriage rate 4.1/1,000 in recent years
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30HS grads only: 5.5/1,000 marriage rate
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312023 provisional marriage rate rebounded slightly to 6.2/1,000
Verified
Marriage Rates Interpretation
It seems the institution of marriage is now less of a walk down the aisle and more of a cautious stroll through the statistics, with Americans increasingly preferring the single life or other partnerships over tying the knot that has been steadily loosening for decades.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
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APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Marriage Decline Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/marriage-decline-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Marriage Decline Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/marriage-decline-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Marriage Decline Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/marriage-decline-statistics.
Sources & References
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cdc.gov
- Reference 2PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.org
pewresearch.org
- Reference 3IFSTUDIESifstudies.org
ifstudies.org
- Reference 4BOWLINGGREENSTATEbowlinggreenstate.edu
bowlinggreenstate.edu
- Reference 5CENSUScensus.gov
census.gov