American cities with the most divorced people

Brian Budzynski, Andrew Lisa
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There was a time in American society when marriage was essentially final—intractable, incapable of being dissolved. It wasn’t until New York state’s Married Women’s Property Act of 1848 that women even began to be seen as “legal entities,” to say nothing of equals to men, at least in the eyes of the law. Through the end of the 19th century, divorce retained a distasteful patina; it was a source of failure, shame, or wrongdoing.

Yet there were parts of the country—such as Indiana, North and South Dakota, and Utah—that had become known as “divorce mills,” places a person could safely and discreetly obtain a divorce (in the same manner that today only select states offer protected abortion care). In fact, the rate of divorce in those particular states became such a concern that in 1887 the federal government began to keep statistics on the matter.

Fast-cut to the 21st century and divorce is not only obtainable across the country, but it also has, in large part, shed the veil of secrecy and shame that once enshrouded it. The National Center for Health Statistics found in its most recent data that in 2020, across 45 reporting states and Washington D.C., there were more than 630,000 divorces. That’s 2.3 divorces per 1,000 population. And while it is a 116,000-divorce drop from 2019, it would not take a divorce lawyer to puzzle out the pandemic’s effect on those numbers.

Where you live may have a lot to do with your odds of getting divorced. Using 5-year estimate data from the Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community SurveyStacker created a list of the 50 metropolitan areas with the highest number of divorced people. The metropolitan areas, all of which had to have more than 50,000 residents to make the list, are ranked by the percentage of their divorced adult population. The adult population is considered 15 years old and over.

Here, the percentage of the adult population that is divorced is listed along with its percentage point difference versus the national average. The percentage of the adult population that is currently separated, married, or widowed also is noted, as are any resulting ties in the data.

Read on to find out if you live in a city with one of the highest divorce rates.

 

1 / 50 Sara Goth // Wikimedia Commons

 

#50. Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.3% (0.5 points above national average)
– Currently married: 50.8% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.1% (1.5 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 26.2% (7.6 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 196,463

Cityscape image of Panama City Beach
2 / 50 Rob Hainer // Shutterstock

#49. Panama City, Florida

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.1% (0.3 points above national average)
– Currently married: 50.1% (2.1 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.7% (1.1 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 27.5% (6.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 149,399

3 / 50 Montanabw // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, Arkansas (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.9% (0.1 points above national average)
– Currently married: 48.1% (0.1 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.8% (0.2 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 30.6% (3.2 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 599,679

4 / 50 Jeremywagg // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Longview, Washington (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.9% (0.1 points above national average)
– Currently married: 48.8% (0.8 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.6% (1.0 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 29.1% (4.7 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 88,694

The historic Market Street Bridge between Weirton, West Virginia and Steubenville, Ohio.
5 / 50 The American Explorer // Shutterstock

#46. Weirton-Steubenville, West Virginia-Ohio

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.6% (0.2 points below national average)
– Currently married: 47.8% (0.2 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.3% (2.7 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 28.7% (5.1 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 99,107

 

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#45. Great Falls, Montana

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.5% (0.3 points below national average)
– Currently married: 50.3% (2.3 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.6% (1.0 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 28.1% (5.7 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 67,945

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#44. Springfield, Illinois

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.3% (0.5 points below national average)
– Currently married: 46.6% (1.4 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.1% (0.5 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 32.4% (1.4 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 170,792

8 / 50 Brandonrush // Wikimedia Commons

 

#43. Billings, Montana

– Percent currently divorced: 13.6% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.0% (0.8 points below national average)
– Currently married: 51.6% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.6% (0.0 points below national average)
– Percent never married: 28.3% (5.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 147,751

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#41. Reno, Nevada (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 13.7% (2.9 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.7% (0.1 points below national average)
– Currently married: 47.4% (0.6 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 4.9% (0.7 points below national average)
– Percent never married: 32.4% (1.4 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 396,915

Aerial drone image of Port St Lucie.
10 / 50 Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

#41. Port St. Lucie, Florida (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 13.7% (2.9 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.7% (0.1 points below national average)
– Currently married: 49.7% (1.7 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.0% (2.4 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 26.8% (7.0 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 408,646

 

11 / 50 MicheleHaro // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida

– Percent currently divorced: 13.7% (2.9 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.6% (0.2 points below national average)
– Currently married: 49.7% (1.7 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.7% (2.1 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 27.3% (6.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 511,055

12 / 50 Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

#39. Albany-Lebanon, Oregon

– Percent currently divorced: 13.7% (2.9 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.5% (0.3 points below national average)
– Currently married: 52.2% (4.2 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.6% (0.0 points below national average)
– Percent never married: 27.0% (6.8 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 103,403

13 / 50 Lómelinde // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Sherman-Denison, Texas

– Percent currently divorced: 13.7% (2.9 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.4% (0.4 points below national average)
– Currently married: 51.6% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.5% (0.9 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 26.8% (7.0 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 107,592

14 / 50 Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#37. Owensboro, Kentucky

– Percent currently divorced: 13.8% (3.0 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.8% (0.0 points below national average)
– Currently married: 51.8% (3.8 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.4% (0.8 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 26.3% (7.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 96,191

15 / 50 Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Bangor, Maine

– Percent currently divorced: 13.8% (3.0 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.1% (0.7 points below national average)
– Currently married: 47.0% (1.0 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.3% (0.7 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 31.7% (2.1 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 129,781

16 / 50 Andrew Farkas // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Flint, Michigan

– Percent currently divorced: 13.9% (3.1 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.6% (0.2 points below national average)
– Currently married: 43.9% (4.1 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.0% (0.4 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 34.5% (0.7 points above national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 330,915

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#34. Casper, Wyoming

– Percent currently divorced: 13.9% (3.1 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.1% (0.7 points below national average)
– Currently married: 50.4% (2.4 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.5% (0.1 points below national average)
– Percent never married: 29.1% (4.7 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 63,411

Residential community covered with snow.
18 / 50 Eudaimonic Traveler // Shutterstock

#33. Huntington-Ashland, West Virginia-Kentucky-Ohio

– Percent currently divorced: 14.0% (3.2 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.7% (0.1 points below national average)
– Currently married: 48.6% (0.6 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.7% (2.1 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 28.0% (5.8 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 297,755

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#32. Parkersburg-Vienna, West Virginia

– Percent currently divorced: 14.0% (3.2 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.3% (0.5 points below national average)
– Currently married: 50.5% (2.5 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.8% (2.2 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 26.4% (7.4 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 74,210

20 / 50 Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Muskegon, Michigan

– Percent currently divorced: 14.0% (3.2 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.0% (0.8 points below national average)
– Currently married: 46.7% (1.3 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.8% (0.2 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 32.5% (1.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 142,179

 

21 / 50  John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Brunswick, Georgia

– Percent currently divorced: 14.1% (3.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.3% (0.5 points above national average)
– Currently married: 46.2% (1.8 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.0% (2.4 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 29.4% (4.4 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 93,561

22 / 50 Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Albuquerque, New Mexico (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 14.1% (3.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.4% (0.4 points below national average)
– Currently married: 43.5% (4.5 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.5% (0.1 points below national average)
– Percent never married: 35.6% (1.8 points above national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 748,464

23 / 50  Ron Reiring // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Grand Junction, Colorado (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 14.1% (3.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.4% (0.4 points below national average)
– Currently married: 50.2% (2.2 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.3% (0.7 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 27.9% (5.9 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 127,130

24 / 50
Inkknife_2000 // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Spokane-Spokane Valley, Washington

– Percent currently divorced: 14.1% (3.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.2% (0.6 points below national average)
– Currently married: 48.8% (0.8 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.3% (0.3 points below national average)
– Percent never married: 30.6% (3.2 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 471,724

25 / 50 M.Bucka // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Bay City, Michigan (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 14.1% (3.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.1% (0.7 points below national average)
– Currently married: 47.1% (0.9 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.5% (1.9 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 30.3% (3.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 87,018

 

26 / 50 Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Lewiston-Auburn, Maine (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 14.1% (3.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.1% (0.7 points below national average)
– Currently married: 48.3% (0.3 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.1% (0.5 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 30.3% (3.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 90,589

27 / 50 Dsdugan // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Lewiston, Idaho-Washington

– Percent currently divorced: 14.2% (3.4 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.2% (0.6 points below national average)
– Currently married: 50.8% (2.8 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.4% (1.8 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 26.3% (7.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 52,907

28 / 50 Yipdw // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Redding, California

– Percent currently divorced: 14.3% (3.5 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.8% (0.0 points below national average)
– Currently married: 49.0% (1.0 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.4% (0.8 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 28.5% (5.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 149,073

29 / 50 Phillip L. Hofmeister // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Jackson, Michigan

– Percent currently divorced: 14.3% (3.5 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.3% (0.5 points below national average)
– Currently married: 45.9% (2.1 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.0% (0.4 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 32.5% (1.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 132,247

30 / 50 Doug Kerr // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Terre Haute, Indiana

– Percent currently divorced: 14.3% (3.5 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.0% (0.8 points below national average)
– Currently married: 45.3% (2.7 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.5% (0.9 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 32.9% (0.9 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 153,098

31 / 50  Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Anniston-Oxford, Alabama

– Percent currently divorced: 14.4% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.4% (0.6 points above national average)
– Currently married: 44.1% (3.9 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.4% (1.8 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 31.7% (2.1 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 95,608

32 / 50 Tim Kiser // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Danville, Illinois

– Percent currently divorced: 14.4% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.1% (0.3 points above national average)
– Currently married: 43.8% (4.2 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.6% (2.0 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 32.1% (1.7 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 60,043

Downtown Pueblo, Colorado during summer.
33 / 50 Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#18. Pueblo, Colorado

– Percent currently divorced: 14.4% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.9% (0.1 points above national average)
– Currently married: 44.9% (3.1 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.3% (0.7 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 32.5% (1.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 136,439

34 / 50 Yinan Chen // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida

– Percent currently divorced: 14.4% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.6% (0.2 points below national average)
– Currently married: 48.8% (0.8 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.9% (2.3 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 27.3% (6.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 566,607

35 / 50 John Wark // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Charleston, West Virginia

– Percent currently divorced: 14.4% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.5% (0.3 points below national average)
– Currently married: 48.4% (0.4 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.2% (2.6 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 27.5% (6.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 216,592

 

36 / 50 Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Beckley, West Virginia (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 14.4% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.4% (0.4 points below national average)
– Currently married: 50.2% (2.2 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.5% (2.9 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 25.5% (8.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 95,779

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park sign.
37 / 50 Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Homosassa Springs, Florida (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 14.4% (3.6 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.4% (0.4 points below national average)
– Currently married: 52.7% (4.7 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 10.5% (4.9 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 21.0% (12.8 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 133,225

38 / 50 Matt Morse // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Grants Pass, Oregon

– Percent currently divorced: 14.5% (3.7 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.0% (0.2 points above national average)
– Currently married: 52.3% (4.3 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.7% (1.1 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 24.4% (9.4 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 73,486

39 / 50 Prestinian // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Gadsden, Alabama

– Percent currently divorced: 14.5% (3.7 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.8% (0.0 points below national average)
– Currently married: 45.5% (2.5 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.7% (3.1 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 29.5% (4.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 85,077

40 / 50 Joseph Novak // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana

– Percent currently divorced: 14.5% (3.7 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.1% (0.7 points below national average)
– Currently married: 47.0% (1.0 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.0% (0.4 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 31.4% (2.4 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 92,175

 

Texarkana, Texas and Arkansas State Line in front of Post Office.
41 / 50 K.Woolf // Shutterstock

#10. Texarkana, Texas-Arkansas

– Percent currently divorced: 14.6% (3.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.7% (0.9 points above national average)
– Currently married: 45.5% (2.5 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.1% (1.5 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 30.1% (3.7 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 118,882

Aerial view of Carson City.
42 / 50 Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#9. Carson City, Nevada

– Percent currently divorced: 14.6% (3.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.5% (0.7 points above national average)
– Currently married: 45.2% (2.8 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 7.7% (2.1 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 30.0% (3.8 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 48,085

43 / 50 Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia

– Percent currently divorced: 14.6% (3.8 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.2% (0.4 points above national average)
– Currently married: 50.4% (2.4 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.3% (2.7 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 24.5% (9.3 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 259,755

44 / 50 Little Mountain 5 // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Medford, Oregon

– Percent currently divorced: 14.9% (4.1 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.2% (0.6 points below national average)
– Currently married: 51.1% (3.1 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.9% (0.3 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 26.9% (6.9 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 183,553

45 / 50 Quibik // Wikimedia Commons

#6. St. Joseph, Missouri-Kansas

– Percent currently divorced: 15.1% (4.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.5% (0.3 points below national average)
– Currently married: 46.4% (1.6 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.4% (0.8 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 30.6% (3.2 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 100,058

46 / 50 Tim Kiser // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Battle Creek, Michigan

– Percent currently divorced: 15.1% (4.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.3% (0.5 points below national average)
– Currently married: 44.7% (3.3 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 6.3% (0.7 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 32.6% (1.2 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 108,885

47 / 50 CWanamaker // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Hot Springs, Arkansas (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 15.3% (4.5 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.1% (0.3 points above national average)
– Currently married: 48.8% (0.8 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.5% (2.9 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 25.3% (8.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 83,268

48 / 50 Sharon Day // Shutterstock

#3. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, Arizona (tie)

– Percent currently divorced: 15.3% (4.5 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 2.1% (0.3 points above national average)
– Currently married: 51.0% (3.0 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.7% (3.1 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 23.0% (10.8 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 181,749

49 / 50 Martha.baden // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Prescott Valley-Prescott, Arizona

– Percent currently divorced: 15.5% (4.7 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.3% (0.5 points below national average)
– Currently married: 52.9% (4.9 points above national average)
– Currently widowed: 8.0% (2.4 points above national average)
– Percent never married: 22.3% (11.5 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 202,886

50 / 50 Asaavedra32 // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Santa Fe, New Mexico

– Percent currently divorced: 16.1% (5.3 points above national average)
– Currently separated: 1.2% (0.6 points below national average)
– Currently married: 46.5% (1.5 points below national average)
– Currently widowed: 5.6% (0.0 points below national average)
– Percent never married: 30.7% (3.1 points below national average)
– Total adult population estimate: 131,477

 

This article originally appeared on Stacker

Authors

  • Brian Budzynski

    Brian Budzynski is a Senior Editor at Stacker. He focuses mainly on the news beat, writing and editing content on politics, infrastructure, history, education, current events, and climate—though you’ll find his name on the occasional culture or sports story, too. Prior to joining Stacker, Brian was the Senior Managing Editor of Roads & Bridges magazine, where he earned numerous awards for his original reportage, including a Jesse H. Neal Award for his coverage of the Florida International Bridge collapse.

  • Andrew Lisa

    Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. He was one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists at the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service, and later worked as a section editor at AMNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan. After four years living and working as a freelance writer in Los Angeles, Andrew has recently moved back to New Jersey.

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