Marriage and divorce rates have followed different patterns over the past forty-five years. In 1970, there were nearly 77 marriages per 1,000 unmarried women aged 15 and older. By 2010, this rate more than halved, and newly released data from the American Community Survey reveal that in 2015 there were just 32 marriages per 1,000 unmarried women. Although the marriage rate has plummeted since 1970, the divorce rate has remained stable. In 2015, the divorce rate was at its lowest point since 1979 at just under 17 divorces per 1,000 married women over the age of 15.

For more information about marriage and divorce rates, check out two recently published Family Profiles from the NCFMR.