Massachusetts Has One of America’s Lowest Divorce Rates

Fewer marriages are ending in divorce in America these days, a downward trend that began about a decade ago. Here in Massachusetts, the divorce rate has always been relatively low.

Farias Family Law, P.C. says, "Massachusetts has historically maintained one of the lowest divorce rates in the United States."

Perhaps it's our Puritan founding?

How Massachusetts Compares to the National Average

Massachusetts reported a divorce rate of 1.4 per 1,000 residents in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That compares with the national average of around 2.5 per 1,000. The national divorce rate was around 4.0 per 1,000 just over two decades ago.

The Infinity Law Group says age may be a factor in Massachusetts' lower divorce rate. "Half of the men in New York and Massachusetts were older than 30 when they married for the first time; women were 28," according to Infinity.

Why Age at Marriage Matters

The firm says, "States with a younger marrying age, like Arkansas (ages 26 for men and 24 for women), have a higher divorce rate."

Psychology Today says divorce is 50 percent less likely if both partners are over 25 when they get married. Cultural, religious, and economic factors also play a role in the strength and length of a marriage.

Marriage Trends in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has one of the highest median ages for first marriages in the U.S., with residents typically marrying between 32.0 and 32.4 years old, according to data from 2024-2025.

In 2021, Weddingwire.com reported that the average age for marriage was 32. It was 27 just twelve years before in 2009.

By the way, Massachusetts is among 17 states that allow first cousins to marry. Think about that.