While the birth rate continues to decline and tragic disparities in infant mortality persist, the latest snapshot of U.S. births, deaths, marriages, and divorces reveals profound changes reshaping the nation's demographic fabric.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States recorded 3,667,758 live births, a 2% decline from 2021
- The 2022 general fertility rate in the US was 56.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years, down 3% from 2021
- In 2022, the birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 was 13.6 per 1,000 females, a historic low
- In 2022, age-adjusted death rate in US was 798.8 per 100,000 population
- Total US deaths in 2022 numbered 3,464,231, up 4.8% from 2021
- Heart disease caused 702,880 deaths in 2022, age-adjusted rate 179.6 per 100,000
- US marriage rate in 2021 was 6.0 per 1,000 population, up 12% from 2020
- Total marriages in US 2021 numbered 2,077,000
- Nevada had highest marriage rate 2021 at 25.9 per 1,000
- US divorce rate in 2021 was 2.5 per 1,000 population
- Total divorces in 2021 numbered 689,308, up 10% from 2020
- Nevada highest divorce rate 2021 at 4.2 per 1,000
- US infant mortality rate in 2022 was 5.60 per 1,000 live births
- Total infant deaths in 2022 numbered 20,527
- Neonatal mortality rate (<28 days) 2022 was 3.58 per 1,000 live births
The United States is experiencing declining birth rates alongside persistent public health challenges and mortality gaps.
Births
1In 2022, the United States recorded 3,667,758 live births, a 2% decline from 2021
Verified
2The 2022 general fertility rate in the US was 56.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years, down 3% from 2021
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3In 2022, the birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 was 13.6 per 1,000 females, a historic low
Directional
4US twin birth rate in 2022 was 31.1 per 1,000 live births, stable from prior year
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5Triplet/+ birth rate in 2022 was 1,389.7 per 100,000 live births, down slightly
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6In 2021, 81.8% of US live births were to non-Hispanic white mothers
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7Birth rate for non-Hispanic black women in 2021 was 53.8 per 1,000 aged 15-44
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8Hispanic fertility rate in 2021 was 63.5 per 1,000 women 15-44 years
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9In 2020, 55.6% of US births occurred in the South census region
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10California reported 422,264 live births in 2020, highest among states
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11New York state birth count in 2020 was 210,282, down 4% from 2019
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12Mean age of mother at first birth in 2021 was 27.3 years, up from prior years
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13Cesarean delivery rate for US births in 2022 was 32.1%
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14Low birthweight (<2500g) rate in 2022 was 8.52% of live births
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15Preterm birth rate (<37 weeks) in 2022 was 10.41%
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16In 2021, prenatal care in first trimester for 83.1% of US live births
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17Smoking during pregnancy rate in 2021 was 6.5% among mothers
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18Multiple birth rate in 2021 was 32.5 per 1,000 live births
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19US birth rate in 2019 was 11.4 per 1,000 population
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20Total fertility rate in 2022 was 1,620.5 per 1,000 women 15-44
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21Births to women 40+ years in 2022 numbered 112,419
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22Unmarried childbearing ratio in 2022 was 39.8%
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23Gestational diabetes rate among mothers in 2021 was 8.8%
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24Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy affected 12.2% in 2021
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25Congenital malformations reported in 3.2% of 2021 births
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26Eclampsia occurred in 0.5% of 2021 US live births
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27Texas had 390,888 births in 2021
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28Florida births in 2021 totaled 223,571
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29Pennsylvania births in 2021 were 131,233
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30Illinois births in 2021 numbered 126,946
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31In 2023 provisional data, US births totaled 3,596,017, down 2%
Directional
Births Interpretation
The American cradle is slowing its rock, growing more seasoned in its mothers and mindful in its methods, yet it still faces a persistent chorus of health challenges and disparities.
Deaths
1In 2022, age-adjusted death rate in US was 798.8 per 100,000 population
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2Total US deaths in 2022 numbered 3,464,231, up 4.8% from 2021
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3Heart disease caused 702,880 deaths in 2022, age-adjusted rate 179.6 per 100,000
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4Cancer deaths in 2022 totaled 611,720, rate 156.8 per 100,000
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5COVID-19 deaths in 2022 were 286,913, down 71% from 2021
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6Unintentional injuries caused 233,593 deaths in 2022, rate 59.9 per 100,000
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7Stroke deaths numbered 162,893 in 2022, rate 41.1 per 100,000
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8Chronic lower respiratory diseases killed 147,382 in 2022, rate 37.9 per 100,000
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9Alzheimer disease deaths were 119,399 in 2022, rate 30.5 per 100,000
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10Diabetes deaths totaled 103,294 in 2022, rate 26.4 per 100,000
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11Kidney disease caused 55,427 deaths in 2022, rate 14.3 per 100,000
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12Crude death rate in 2021 was 879.7 per 100,000
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13Influenza/pneumonia deaths in 2022 were 53,544, rate 13.7 per 100,000
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14Suicide deaths numbered 49,369 in 2022, rate 12.7 per 100,000
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15Homicide deaths were 25,896 in 2022, up 1.3%
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16Septicemia deaths totaled 44,917 in 2022, rate 11.5 per 100,000
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17Hypertension deaths were 37,606 in 2022, rate 9.6 per 100,000
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18Parkinson disease caused 19,463 deaths in 2022
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19Liver disease/cirrhosis deaths numbered 56,585 in 2022, rate 14.5 per 100,000
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20Males had death rate of 930.1 per 100,000 in 2022, females 701.9
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21Non-Hispanic white death rate in 2022 was 845.9 per 100,000
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22Non-Hispanic black rate was 922.3 per 100,000 in 2022
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23Hispanic death rate 2022 was 581.1 per 100,000
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24California deaths in 2022 totaled 311,227
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25Texas deaths 2022 were 283,897
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26Florida deaths numbered 302,356 in 2022
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27Drug overdose deaths in 2022 were 108,509, rate 27.9 per 100,000
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28Firearm deaths totaled 48,830 in 2022, up 1%
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29Motor vehicle crash deaths were 42,514 in 2022
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Deaths Interpretation
If death were a dinner party in 2022, heart disease and cancer were the overwhelmingly persistent hosts, COVID finally stopped hogging the conversation, and we all need to have a serious talk about who keeps bringing the uninvited plus-ones of overdoses, firearms, and car crashes.
Divorces
1US divorce rate in 2021 was 2.5 per 1,000 population
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2Total divorces in 2021 numbered 689,308, up 10% from 2020
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3Nevada highest divorce rate 2021 at 4.2 per 1,000
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4Arkansas divorce rate 2021 was 3.4 per 1,000 population
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5California divorces totaled 90,581 in 2021
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6Texas divorces numbered 74,305 in 2021
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7Florida divorces 2021 totaled 74,539
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8New York divorces were 41,548 in 2021
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9Median duration of marriage before divorce in 2021 was 8.0 years
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10Divorces involving children under 18 totaled 155,234 in 2021
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112020 provisional divorces were 630,505, down 19%
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12Oklahoma divorce rate 2021 was 3.3 per 1,000
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13Kentucky divorces totaled 25,396 in 2021
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14Alabama divorces numbered 32,919 in 2021
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15Tennessee divorces 2021 were 32,574
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16Louisiana divorces totaled 23,106 in 2021
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17Indiana divorces numbered 25,728 in 2021
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18Mississippi divorce rate 2021 was 3.1 per 1,000
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19Missouri divorces totaled 28,394 in 2021
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20South Carolina divorces 2021 numbered 22,083
Directional
21Divorce rate in 2019 was 2.7 per 1,000 pre-pandemic
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22DC divorce rate 2021 was 1.9 per 1,000
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23Montana divorces totaled 3,339 in 2021
Single source
24Wyoming divorces numbered 2,370 in 2021
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Divorces Interpretation
In 2021, after eight years of typical wedded bliss, America decided the odds weren't in its favor and collectively placed its bets on a national re-set, with Nevada firmly leading the table and one in four splits involving a family reshuffle.
Infant Mortality
1US infant mortality rate in 2022 was 5.60 per 1,000 live births
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2Total infant deaths in 2022 numbered 20,527
Directional
3Neonatal mortality rate (<28 days) 2022 was 3.58 per 1,000 live births
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4Postneonatal mortality rate (28 days-1 year) 2022 was 2.02 per 1,000
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5Congenital malformations caused 20.1% of infant deaths in 2022
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6Low birthweight was underlying cause in 15.4% of 2022 infant deaths
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7Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) 2022 rate 0.33 per 1,000 live births
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8Maternal complications caused 6.3% of infant deaths in 2022
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9Non-Hispanic black infant mortality rate 2022 was 10.86 per 1,000
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10Non-Hispanic white rate 2022 was 4.42 per 1,000 live births
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11Hispanic infant mortality 2022 was 4.95 per 1,000
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12California infant deaths 2022 totaled 1,725
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13Texas infant mortality count 2022 was 1,698
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14Florida infant deaths numbered 1,218 in 2022
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15Preterm birth related conditions caused 16.7% of infant deaths 2022
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16Unintentional injuries infant death rate 2022 0.48 per 1,000
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172021 infant mortality rate was 5.44 per 1,000 live births
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18Bacterial sepsis of newborn rate 2022 0.22 per 1,000
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19Intrauterine hypoxia/birth asphyxia 1.1% of infant deaths 2022
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20Respiratory distress of newborn 5.2% of 2022 infant deaths
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21Disorders related to short gestation/high birthweight 11.0% infant deaths 2022
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22New York infant deaths 2022 totaled 938
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23Pennsylvania infant mortality 2022 was 609
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24Illinois infant deaths numbered 708 in 2022
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25Ohio infant mortality count 2022 781
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26Georgia infant deaths 2022 totaled 775
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Infant Mortality Interpretation
While we can measure a nation's progress in many ways, the persistently high and unequal infant mortality rates reveal a sobering truth: our most vulnerable citizens often face the gravest inequities from their very first breath.
Life Expectancy
1US life expectancy at birth in 2022 was 77.5 years, up 1.1 from 2021
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2Male life expectancy 2022 was 74.8 years, female 80.2 years
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3Non-Hispanic white LE 2022 77.6 years
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4Non-Hispanic black LE 2022 was 72.8 years
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5Hispanic LE 2022 79.1 years
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6Life expectancy at age 65 in 2022 was 18.8 years overall
Single source
72021 LE was 76.4 years, down from 2019's 78.8
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8California LE 2022 estimated 78.9 years
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9New York LE 2022 77.8 years
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10Texas LE 2022 77.2 years
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11Florida LE 2022 77.3 years
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12Healthy life expectancy at birth 2022 ~66 years
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13LE decline 2020-2021 was 2.4 years for males
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14Asian/Pacific Islander LE 2022 83.5 years, highest
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15American Indian/Alaska Native LE 2022 67.9 years, lowest
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16LE at age 1 year 2022 was 77.0 years
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17Infant mortality contribution to LE gap noted in 2022 data
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18COVID-19 reduced LE by ~0.3 years in 2022
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19Pennsylvania LE 2022 77.0 years
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20Illinois LE 2022 77.5 years
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Life Expectancy Interpretation
We climbed back from the pandemic's cliff edge in 2022, gaining a precarious 1.1 years collectively, yet the view from the top still reveals a stubbornly uneven landscape of inequality where your zip code and the color of your skin stubbornly chart the course of your life.
Marriages
1US marriage rate in 2021 was 6.0 per 1,000 population, up 12% from 2020
Single source
2Total marriages in US 2021 numbered 2,077,000
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3Nevada had highest marriage rate 2021 at 25.9 per 1,000
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4Hawaii marriage rate 2021 was 14.4 per 1,000 population
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5Utah marriages totaled 24,111 in 2021, rate 7.4 per 1,000
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6California marriages in 2021 were 208,995
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7Texas marriages numbered 186,104 in 2021
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8Florida marriages 2021 totaled 142,553
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9New York marriages were 95,456 in 2021
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10Median age at first marriage for males in 2021 was 30.1 years
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11Median age at first marriage for females 2021 was 28.2 years
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12Marriage rate for 25-34 age group in 2021 was 29.7 per 1,000
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132020 provisional marriage count was 1,676,911, down 17%
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14Indiana marriage rate 2021 was 6.8 per 1,000
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15Pennsylvania marriages 2021 totaled 68,098
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16Illinois marriages numbered 58,611 in 2021
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17Ohio marriages 2021 were 70,662
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18Michigan marriages totaled 49,201 in 2021
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19Georgia marriages 2021 numbered 67,751
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20North Carolina marriages 2021 were 67,184
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21Marriage rate in 2019 was 6.1 per 1,000 pre-pandemic
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22DC marriage rate 2021 was 7.8 per 1,000 population
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23Montana marriages totaled 6,905 in 2021, rate 6.2
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24Wyoming marriage rate 2021 was 5.7 per 1,000
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Marriages Interpretation
After a year of pandemic-induced isolation, Americans collectively decided in 2021 to not only love their neighbor but, in many cases, legally marry them, with Las Vegas weddings leading the charge and the rest of the nation cautiously following suit while still waiting a few more years to actually settle down.
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
Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). United States Vital Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/united-states-vital-statistics
MLA
Marcus Afolabi. "United States Vital Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/united-states-vital-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "United States Vital Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/united-states-vital-statistics.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CDCcdc.gov
cdc.gov
- Reference 2WHOwho.int
who.int