California Divorces vs. the Rest of the United States
Divorce rates in California and the United States as a whole have undergone significant changes over the past few decades. While both have seen a decline in divorce rates since the 1980s, there are some notable differences between the two.
California Divorce Rate Is Slightly Lower
One key difference is the overall divorce rate in California compared to the rest of the United States. According to data from the American Community Survey, the divorce rate in California is slightly lower than the national average. In 2019, the divorce rate in California was approximately 3.2 per 1,000 population, while the national average was 3.6 per 1,000 population. This trend has been consistent over the past few decades, with California consistently having a slightly lower divorce rate than the rest of the country.
Age of Divorce
Another notable difference is the age at which individuals in California and the United States tend to get divorced. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average age of divorce in California is slightly lower than the national average. In 2019, the average age of divorce in California was approximately 45.5 years for men and 43.0 years for women, while the national averages were 46.6 years for men and 44.1 years for women. This suggests that individuals in California may be more likely to get divorced at a younger age compared to the rest of the country.
There are also differences in the types of marriages that tend to end in divorce in California compared to the United States. For example, data from the CDC shows that marriages between individuals of different races and ethnicities are more likely to end in divorce in California compared to the United States as a whole. In 2019, approximately 21% of all divorces in California involved couples of different races or ethnicities, while the national average was 16%. Similarly, marriages involving individuals who are not native English speakers are more likely to end in divorce in California compared to the rest of the country.
Finally, there are differences in the reasons cited for divorce in California compared to the United States. According to data from the CDC, the most common reasons cited for divorce in both California and the United States are infidelity, communication problems, and “growing apart.” However, there are some notable differences in the specific reasons cited. For example, data from the California Department of Public Health shows that a higher proportion of divorcees in California cited “irreconcilable differences” as the primary reason for their divorce compared to the United States as a whole. This suggests that individuals in California may be more likely to seek a divorce due to fundamental differences in their relationship, rather than specific issues such as infidelity or communication problems.
Overall, while there are some differences in divorce rates and the factors that contribute to divorce in California compared to the United States as a whole, it is important to note that these trends can vary significantly by region and demographic. Additionally, it is worth noting that divorce rates in both California and the United States have declined significantly since the 1980s, likely due to a variety of social, economic, and cultural factors.