Divorce Statistics in the United States

There’s no lack of stories on the news or the internet about divorce statistics in America. Divorce has become a way of life not only in America but around the world. One major statistic is that divorce has been on the decline in the U.S. over the past decade. Some people speculate this is both due to people marrying later and fewer people marrying overall.

Below are a few more divorce statistics that you may find interesting:

About half of all marriages will end in divorce.
About 40% of first marriages end in divorce.
About 60% of second marriages end in divorce.
On average, women file for divorce more than men.

In many surveys, the state of Maryland ranks among the states with the lowest divorce rate. In 2020, the divorce rate in Maryland was calculated as 1.7 divorces per 1,000. This is down from 1990 when the divorce rate in the State was 3.4 divorces per 1,000.

The state with the highest divorce rate is Arkansas, which saw approximately 10.7 divorces per 1,000 in 2020. This might be explained by the fact that the age of marriage is younger in Arkansas than nearly anywhere else in the U.S.

Experts say that the primary reasons for divorce in the United States are some form of spousal abuse, infidelity, and substance abuse. But of course, there can be any number of other reasons including lack of commitment, lack of communication, financial problems, differences in values, growing apart, and many other reasons.

Cities in Maryland with the Highest Divorce Rates

Homesnacks, an organization that analyzes data from the U.S. Census, specifically its American Community Survey and other public sites, has determined that these ten cities have the highest divorce rates in Maryland:

#1 – Cumberland, Maryland

The county seat of Allegany County, Cumberland is known as a transportation hub – it was a key road, railroad, and canal junction and known as Maryland’s “Queen City” in the 19th century. Cumberland has a population of close to 20,000. The city’s median income is approximately $41,000. The divorce rate is 11%.

#2 – Hampstead, Maryland

Hampstead is a conservative, rural town located in Carrol County, Maryland. The level and fertile land make it a successful farming community. The city’s population is 6,403, and its median income is $75,392. The divorce rate is 10.0%.

#3 – Bel Air, Maryland

Bel Air is located in Harford County, Maryland. President Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Boothe, was born in Bel Air. The population is approximately 10,102, with a median income of $60,476. The divorce rate is 10.0%.

#4 – Frostburg, Maryland

Frostburg is a city in Allegany County and is part of the Cumberland, Maryland -West Virginia Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. Frostburg is one of the first cities to be sited on the National Road, U.S. Route 40. Its population is 8,550, with a median income of $40,781. The divorce rate is calculated at 8.0%.

# 5 – Chester, Maryland

Chester is a town located on Kent Island on the Chesapeake Bay in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. It is close to Baltimore and Annapolis and also near to Maryland’s Atlantic beaches. The population is 5,073, and the median income is $39,682. The divorce rate is 8.0%

#6 – Hagerstown, Maryland

Hagerstown is the county seat of Washington County, Maryland. It’s home to Antietam Battlefield and other important Civil War sites. The population of Hagerstown is 40,027 and the median income is $41,905. The divorce rate in Hagerstown is 8.0%.

#7 – Cambridge, Maryland

Cambridge is the county seat of Dorchester County and the county’s largest city. Incorporated in 1793, it’s one of the oldest cities in Maryland. Its population is 12,300, and the median income is $39,063. The city’s divorce rate is 8.0%.

#8 – Ocean City, Maryland

A beach resort town, Ocean City is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle Of Wight Bay. It has a population of 6,957 and a median income of $55,954. The divorce rate is 7.0%.

#9 – Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is a major city in Maryland with a long history as a major seaport. It was one of the major points of immigration to the United States. The population is 602,274, and the median income is $52,164. The divorce rate is reported as 7.0%.

#10 – Elkton, Maryland

Elkton is the county seat of Cecil County, Maryland. It was originally called Head of Elk because it sits at the head of the Elk River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Its population is 15,653, and the median income is estimated at $54,871. The divorce rate is 6.0%.

What To Do If You’re Contemplating Divorce

These are interesting statistics, but it’s hard to know what they mean or how to correlate them to your situation. If you’re thinking about seeking a divorce, it’s important to contact the best possible lawyer to help your case. Divorces involve the resolution of many complex issues, including alimony, child support, child custody, property distribution, and similar issues.

With your attorney, you’ll need to decide whether to file for a no-fault divorce or one on fault-based grounds. Maybe you’ll want to meditate, or maybe you won’t. In any event, the issues are many and complex. And they often generate extreme emotion among the parties.

At the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, we’re not only capable and strategic but we’re also known for our ability to help our clients get through the emotional experience of a divorce. While we understand the important financial and lifestyle issues involved when a marriage breaks up, we never minimize how difficult a divorce can be.

If you’re thinking about filing for divorce, contact an experienced Bethesda divorce attorney today.