The graph displays the divorce rate per 1,000 people in the United States from 2000 to 2023. The x-axis represents the years, labeled from '00 to '23, while the y-axis indicates the divorce rate per 1,000 individuals. The divorce rate starts at 4.0 per 1,000 in 2000 and 2001, which are the highest values in the dataset. Over the years, there is a general downward trend, with the rate decreasing to 2.3 per 1,000 in 2020, the lowest point recorded. In 2021 and 2023, the rate slightly fluctuates, rising to 2.5 and then decreasing to 2.4 per 1,000 respectively. The data highlights a consistent decline in the divorce rate over the 22-year period.

The graph illustrates the yearly percentage of divorces compared to marriages in the United States from 2000 (‘00) to 2023 (‘23). The x-axis shows years in two-digit form, while the y-axis shows the divorce-to-marriage percentage. During this period, the divorce percentage ranged from a high of about 41.7% in 2002 to a low of around 32.6% in 2022. The overall trend reflects a gradual decline in annual divorces relative to marriages, though year-to-year fluctuations remain. These figures should be viewed as approximate estimates.

How many married couples are in the U.S.? In 2023, there were 62.18 million married couples in the United States. This is an increase from 40.2 million married couples in 1960. Marriage in the U.S. While the number of married couples in the U.S. has increased in the past few decades, this could very well just be due to population change, since while the U.S. population has been increasing, the marriage rate has decreased significantly since 1990. In addition, the divorce rate has almost halved since 1990 despite concerns that more people are getting divorced than in years past. Same-sex marriage in the U.S. After years of advocacy, same-sex marriage became legal in the United States in June 2015. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in a landmark ruling in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. In 2015, a clear majority of Americans were in favor of the legalization of same-sex marriage, and approval has only been increasing in the years since.

In 2022, Nevada had the highest marriage rate in the United States, with 25.9 marriages per 1,000 residents. Hawaii had the second-highest marriage rate, at 14.4 marriages per 1,000 residents. The falling marriage rate Perhaps unsurprisingly, the marriage rate in the United States has fallen since 1990, although it has leveled off in the past decade. This means that fewer and fewer people are getting married than in years past, particularly as views about marriage have changed in the U.S. However, despite changing perceptions about marriage and a falling marriage rate, there were more married couples in the United States in 2021 than there were in 1960. First comes love, then comes marriage Weddings and marriage have changed in the United States recently as people have been staying single longer, and especially as gay marriage and interracial marriage have become more socially acceptable. The changing face of America means that love and relationships are changing as well, and what is socially acceptable within a relationship will continue to change with it.

According to a recent survey, in 2023, around 71 percent of the American population believed same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid. Interestingly enough, this figure changed considerably when taking into account the age group of the respondents. Young people between 18 and 34 years of age, in fact, were the group showing the highest support for same-sex marriage, with 89 percent. On the other hand, 60 percent of the respondents aged 65 years or more thought marriage between same-sex couples should be legally recognized as valid.

As of 2022, about 7.8 million married couples were of Hispanic origin in the United States. In total, there were about 63.19 million married couples living in the United States in that year.

The divorce rate is represented by the number of registered divorces per 1,000 total population. Data is sourced from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This file contains demographic data for divorces occurring in the United States during the 1987 calendar year. The data were taken from divorce certificates registered with the vital statistics offices of 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The certificates for each state were chosen at one of five sampling rates (5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 percent), depending on the total number of divorces occurring in the state during the year. Each record includes a weight factor based on the sampling fraction of the reporting state. The demographic data collected include age, race, education, and natality of divorcing parties, and the number of this divorce. Information about the divorce itself includes month, day, and week of divorce.

In 2022, there were 67.85 million married men and 68.45 million married women living in the United States. This is compared to 3.7 million widowed men and 11.48 million widowed women.

Marriage in the United States

Nevada had the highest marriage rate in the United States in 2021, followed by Hawaii and Montana. This can be attributed to marriage accessibility in the state. Las Vegas weddings are known for being quick, easy, and inexpensive chapel weddings. In comparison to the cheap weddings available in Las Vegas, the average expenditure for a wedding in the United States was the highest in New Jersey, clocking in at 51,000 U.S. dollars.

Same-sex marriage

The number of Americans who think that same-sex marriage should be recognized by law has more than doubled since 1996, while the number of Americans who think it should not be valid has decreased. It was not until June 26, 2015 that the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Before then, it was up to the states to decide if they allowed same-sex marriage. States in the Southeast are the most opposed to same-sex marriage, whereas the strongest support comes from Northern coastal states.

Millennials are much more likely than older adults in the United States to support same-sex marriage, with 74 percent of Millennial respondents in a 2019 poll expressing a favorable opinion. This compares to 45 percent of respondents born in 1945 or earlier, and 51 percent of Baby Boomers.

This survey shows the opinion on legalization of same-sex marriages in the United States from 1996 to 2023. In 1996, 27 percent of respondents agreed that same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid with the same rights as traditional marriages. In 2023, 71 percent state that same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid, the highest share of the last decades.

The Family Law and Divorce Lawyers and Attorneys industry has seen tepid growth recently, influenced by shifting American family dynamics. Divorce rates have been on the decline, putting a damper on revenue growth. However, per capita disposable income has risen, a silver lining that has allowed more individuals to afford expert legal advice, keeping the industry from going belly up. Despite these mixed signals, successful firms adapt to changing conditions to maintain their competitive edge. Ultimately, lawyers and attorneys practicing in family and divorce law are forecast to see revenue grow at a CAGR of 0.3% to total $13.2 billion over the five years to 2024. In 2024, industry revenue is expected to climb an additional 0.7%.External competition for family and divorce law practitioners is on the rise. Billing hours for lawyers continue to increase, pushing potential clients to seek less expensive alternatives. Online filing services present significant competition for traditional family law firms. Additionally, individuals increasingly turn to volunteer lawyers and nonprofit centers to settle matters without hiring experienced operators or going to court. For example, the Collaborative Family Law Center in New York offers divorce-related assistance, and similar centers exist nationwide. These trends are indicative of the growing challenge traditional firms face in maintaining their client base, hampering profitability. The national divorce rate is expected to keep falling, likely putting a squeeze on revenue for family and divorce law practitioners. Potential clients will increasingly turn to the internet to file less complicated documents, bypassing traditional legal services. With more of the population connected online, online legal platforms are set to rise. Moreover, the trend of resolving family law cases without lawyers is expected to grow, fueled by specialized nonprofit centers and volunteer lawyers. This shift will further mitigate growth, as more individuals seek cost-effective alternatives for their legal needs, leaving traditional law firms to face revenue declines. As a result, industry revenue is forecast to contract at a CAGR of 0.2% to $13.1 billion over the five years to 2029.

The support for same-sex marriage in the United States increased overall between 2016 and 2024. However, there was a decrease in support across both parties in 2024. According to a survey conducted across the years, this increase was particularly relevant among Republicans. This was consistently the party group least in favor of gay marriage, but in 2021, for the first time, a slight majority of Republicans showed support for it. In 2024, 83 percent of the Democrats' electorate thought that same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid.

Family Law Software Market Outlook

The global family law software market size reached an estimated value of USD 535.2 million in 2023 and is expected to grow significantly to USD 1.08 billion by 2032, reflecting a robust CAGR of 8.1% from 2024 to 2032. This growth is driven primarily by the increasing complexity of family law cases and the rising demand for efficient and accurate legal solutions.

Several factors contribute to the rapid growth of the family law software market. The legal industry is experiencing a digital transformation, with law firms and legal practitioners increasingly relying on technology to manage cases, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency. Family law is no exception, with specialized software being developed to handle intricate case details, automate document creation, and ensure compliance with legal standards. Moreover, the growing volume of family law cases, driven by rising divorce rates and complex family structures, necessitates the use of sophisticated software tools to manage and navigate these cases effectively.

Another significant growth factor is the increasing awareness and adoption of cloud-based solutions. Cloud-based family law software offers several advantages, including remote access, real-time collaboration, and reduced IT infrastructure costs. Law firms and individual practitioners are increasingly opting for cloud solutions to enhance flexibility and accessibility, enabling them to work from anywhere and collaborate seamlessly with clients and colleagues. This trend is further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the importance of remote work and digital solutions in maintaining business continuity.

Furthermore, the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into family law software is expected to drive market growth. These technologies enable predictive analytics, automated legal research, and intelligent document management, helping legal professionals make data-driven decisions and improve case outcomes. The ability to leverage AI and ML for tasks such as case analysis, risk assessment, and client communication is transforming the way family law practitioners operate, leading to increased adoption of these advanced software solutions.

In the context of rising divorce rates and complex family dynamics, Divorce Counseling Service has become an essential component for many individuals navigating the legal and emotional aspects of separation. Divorce counseling provides crucial support to clients, helping them manage the stress and emotional turmoil that often accompany divorce proceedings. By offering guidance and coping strategies, these services complement the legal process, ensuring that clients are better prepared to handle the challenges of divorce. As family law practitioners increasingly recognize the importance of holistic support, integrating divorce counseling services into their practice can enhance client satisfaction and improve overall case outcomes.

Regionally, North America holds the largest market share in the family law software market, driven by the presence of major legal technology providers and the high adoption rate of advanced legal solutions. Europe follows closely, with a growing number of legal firms and practitioners investing in digital transformation. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, fueled by increasing awareness of legal technology and the expansion of the legal industry in emerging economies. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also anticipated to experience steady growth, supported by ongoing legal reforms and the modernization of legal systems.

Component Analysis

The family law software market can be segmented based on components into software and services. The software segment is further divided into standalone software and integrated software suites. The demand for standalone software solutions is driven by small and medium-sized law firms that require specific functionalities without the need for comprehensive suites. These solutions offer targeted features such as case management, document automation, and client communication, enabling legal professionals to handle family law cases efficiently.

On the other hand, integrated software suites are gaining traction among larger law firms and government agencies that require comprehensive solutions to man

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, for 2020, the 2020 Census provides the official counts of the population and housing units for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns. For 2016 to 2019, the Population Estimates Program provides estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and intercensal housing unit estimates for the nation, states, and counties..Supporting documentation on code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Technical Documentation section.Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables..Divorce estimates may vary from the divorce data released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) because of differences in methodology and data collection. NCHS uses information collected on divorce decrees from states providing them. From these administrative records, NCHS then publishes information about couples who divorced in a calendar year. In contrast, the ACS collects survey-based reports from individuals as to whether or not they divorced in the last 12 months. We recommend using caution when comparing the NCHS estimates to the ACS estimates of divorces..The 2016-2020 American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the September 2018 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. In certain instances, the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB delineation lists due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities..Estimates of urban and rural populations, housing units, and characteristics reflect boundaries of urban areas defined based on Census 2010 data. As a result, data for urban and rural areas from the ACS do not necessarily reflect the results of ongoing urbanization..Explanation of Symbols:- The estimate could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations. For a ratio of medians estimate, one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution.N The estimate or margin of error cannot be displayed because there were an insufficient number of sample cases in the selected geographic area. (X) The estimate or margin of error is not applicable or not available.median- The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "2,500-")median+ The median falls in the highest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "250,000+").** The margin of error could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations.*** The margin of error could not be computed because the median falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution.***** A margin of error is not appropriate because the corresponding estimate is controlled to an independent population or housing estimate. Effectively, the corresponding estimate has no sampling error and the margin of error may be treated as zero.

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties..Supporting documentation on code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Technical Documentation section.Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables..Divorce estimates may vary from the divorce data released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) because of differences in methodology and data collection. NCHS uses information collected on divorce decrees from states providing them. From these administrative records, NCHS then publishes information about couples who divorced in a calendar year. In contrast, the ACS collects survey-based reports from individuals as to whether or not they divorced in the last 12 months. We recommend using caution when comparing the NCHS estimates to the ACS estimates of divorces..The 2017-2021 American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the March 2020 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. In certain instances, the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB delineation lists due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities..Estimates of urban and rural populations, housing units, and characteristics reflect boundaries of urban areas defined based on Census 2010 data. As a result, data for urban and rural areas from the ACS do not necessarily reflect the results of ongoing urbanization..Explanation of Symbols:- The estimate could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations. For a ratio of medians estimate, one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution. For a 5-year median estimate, the margin of error associated with a median was larger than the median itself.N The estimate or margin of error cannot be displayed because there were an insufficient number of sample cases in the selected geographic area. (X) The estimate or margin of error is not applicable or not available.median- The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "2,500-")median+ The median falls in the highest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "250,000+").** The margin of error could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations.*** The margin of error could not be computed because the median falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution.***** A margin of error is not appropriate because the corresponding estimate is controlled to an independent population or housing estimate. Effectively, the corresponding estimate has no sampling error and the margin of error may be treated as zero.

This statistic shows the average expenditure for a wedding in selected states in the United States as of 2021. According to the source, average expenditures for a wedding in New Jersey amounted to about 51,000 U.S. dollars in 2022.

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties..Supporting documentation on code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Technical Documentation section.Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates.Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables..Divorce estimates may vary from the divorce data released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) because of differences in methodology and data collection. NCHS uses information collected on divorce decrees from states providing them. From these administrative records, NCHS then publishes information about couples who divorced in a calendar year. In contrast, the ACS collects survey-based reports from individuals as to whether or not they divorced in the last 12 months. We recommend using caution when comparing the NCHS estimates to the ACS estimates of divorces..The 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the September 2018 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. In certain instances the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB delineations due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities..Estimates of urban and rural populations, housing units, and characteristics reflect boundaries of urban areas defined based on Census 2010 data. As a result, data for urban and rural areas from the ACS do not necessarily reflect the results of ongoing urbanization..Explanation of Symbols:An "**" entry in the margin of error column indicates that either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute a standard error and thus the margin of error. A statistical test is not appropriate.An "-" entry in the estimate column indicates that either no sample observations or too few sample observations were available to compute an estimate, or a ratio of medians cannot be calculated because one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or upper interval of an open-ended distribution, or the margin of error associated with a median was larger than the median itself.An "-" following a median estimate means the median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution.An "+" following a median estimate means the median falls in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution.An "***" entry in the margin of error column indicates that the median falls in the lowest interval or upper interval of an open-ended distribution. A statistical test is not appropriate.An "*****" entry in the margin of error column indicates that the estimate is controlled. A statistical test for sampling variability is not appropriate. An "N" entry in the estimate and margin of error columns indicates that data for this geographic area cannot be displayed because the number of sample cases is too small.An "(X)" means that the estimate is not applicable or not available.