10 States With the Highest Divorce Rates
Love is a beautiful thing, but marriage isn’t easy. It’s not always lasting either. While it’s common knowledge that about 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce, the odds vary greatly across the U.S. Different states have drastically different divorce rates due to a number of factors, such as poverty rates, rates at which individuals attend college, what age couples marry and whether or not they have kids.
While divorce rates are still relatively high, the good news is that there’s been a 27 percent decrease since 2011. Research says that’s largely thanks to millennials, who seem to be staying married longer. Part of that could be for financial reasons (because, well, millennials are broke). But other reasons are at play, too, like waiting longer to get married in modern times.
There are still parts of the country that fare better than others, though, when it comes to marriage. Here are the 10 worst states to be married, with the highest rates of divorce in the U.S. Let’s just say, you may want to consider moving if a happy marriage is something you want for your future.
9. Indiana (Tie)
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000 (over the age of 15): 9
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000 (over the age of 15): 8.1
Indiana is one of about 20 states that are no-fault divorce states. That means you can get a divorce for any reason without having to prove the other party did anything wrong.
The divorce rate in the Hoosier State rose by 7.6 percent from 2021 to 2022, but it's still by no means the worst state for divorce.
* Divorce rates are sourced from the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, and rankings were determined by using the median number for both men and women in order to factor in same-sex marriages.
9. Georgia (Tie)
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 8.7
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 8.4
Georgia residents may have the sweetest peaches around but not the sweetest romances, as the state ties with Indiana at No. 9 on our list. The lower median incomes than the national average likely have something to do with Georgia still struggling when it comes to marital bliss.
Interestingly enough, third marriages have the highest divorce rates at 73 percent, so maybe there are a lot of people getting hitched multiple times in this state.
8. Alabama
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 9.1
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 8.4
Alabamans’ divorce rates are pretty similar to those in Georgia and Indiana. And with high rates of marriage overall and lower-than-average median incomes, Alabama is likely to continue earning a top spot on the divorce list.
They may be known for southern hospitality, but all that sweetness may not translate to love that lasts.
7. Delaware
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 9.1
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 8.6
Of all 50 states, Delaware had the largest divorce-rate increase from 2021 to 2022 at more than 68 percent year over year.
As one of the wealthier states on this list, it's a bit surprising to see the Small Wonder ranking in the top 10. After all, less financial problems typically equate to wedded bliss — but maybe they'll do better next year.
6. Tennessee
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 9.1
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 8.7
The No. 6 spot goes to Tennessee, whose residents aren’t doing so great in the marriage sector. The poverty rates in this southern state are quite high, which, unfortunately, means the divorce rate is soaring, too.
Interestingly enough, couples who have divorced friends can increase their risk of divorce by 75 percent — something for Tennesseans to keep in mind when choosing their social circles.
5. Kentucky
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 9.9
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 8
Nearby, Kentuckians are even less lucky when it comes to choosing mates for life. With higher-than-average marriage rates overall, it makes sense that the divorce rate follows suit.
But we’d be better off betting on the Kentucky Derby than these marriage stats.
4. Oklahoma
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 9.3
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 9.2
Landing in the top five on our list is old Oklahoma. In the Sooner State, it looks like you’ll sooner be divorced than coupled up for all your days.
With lower median incomes here than in most states, financial issues are the likely culprit again.
3. Wyoming
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 11
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 8.6
While it’s known for Old Faithful, the divorce rate doesn’t reflect the name of the famous geyser. With high rates of folks who get married young, the high rates of divorce add up.
The state also has some of the most marriages overall, with high rates of people who get married two or three times.
2. West Virginia
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 9.7
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 11.1
West Virginia has mountains, rivers, swirling country roads and wildlife for miles. But forever love? Now, that might be a tad harder to come by. Despite economic growth across the state, the poverty rate has increased in recent years, making divorces pretty mainstream.
West Virginia residents aren’t totally doomed, though! Since 1990, they’ve definitely improved their stats.
1. Arkansas
No. of women divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 11.9
No. of men divorced in 2022 per 1,000: 11.2
With Arkansas residents statistically marrying young (over half of first-time brides were under 24), it’s no wonder the marriages go off the rails in high numbers.
Still, the divorce increase from 2021 to 2022 was pretty average at around 7.5 percent — so there's that.