Marriage, Divorce Rates Drop In Washington State

In the past 10 years, marriage and divorce rates have declined nationally, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. How much so, however, depends on the state.

To determine the marriage and divorce rates nationally and by state, the Census Bureau looked at the number of women who were married and divorced in the past year per 1,000 people, and compared rates to 2008.

Nationally, the marriage rate in 2018 was 16.6 per every 1,000 women 15 years old and over. The divorce rate was 7.7 per 1,000 women in that age group. This is a decrease from 2008, when the marriage rate was 17.9 and the divorce rate was 10.5, according to the data.

In Washington, the marriage rate in 2018 was above the national average at 18.7 per 1,000 women, according to Census data. The divorce rate in Washington was at 9.6 per 1,000.

Nearly all states saw a decrease in marriage in divorce rates in 2018 compared to 2008. In Washington marriage rates declined from 21 per 1,000 in 2008 to 18.7 in 2018. Divorce rates decreased from 12.5 per 1,000 to 9.6.

In 2018, Washington marriage rates tied for 14th overall, alongside Oregon and Nevada. Our state tied Nevada for 9th for divorce rates.

To determine rates, the Census Bureau used data from the 2008 and 2018 American Community Survey. It presented data only for women because research shows more often reported the data and reported more accurately, according to the study.

In 2018:

• Utah had the highest marriage rates.
• Maine and Connecticut had the lowest marriage rates.
• Arkansas had the highest divorce rates.
• North Dakota had the lowest divorce rates.

Read more about U.S. marriage and divorce rates on the Census Bureau’s website.