By Matt Allen
Editor, DadsDivorce.com
Men who live in the South are more likely to get divorced than any other region in the country, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Northeast region has the lowest divorce rate.
The report’s findings show the South has higher rates of marriage, higher rates of people marrying at a young age, and higher rates of divorce.
The data may come as a surprise to many who associate living in the South’s Bible Belt as being more socially conservative, yet the divorce rate is higher there.
Experts suggest youth and lack of education can lead to higher divorce rates. Research shows less educated people marry at younger ages. The less educated you are and the younger you are, the more likely you are to get divorced.
Another key point from the report showed more people are delaying when they first get married. If this trend continues, the divorce rate could go down nationwide as age is a key indicator of the likelihood of divorce.
Divorce rates by the numbers:
- South: 10.2 divorces per 1,000 for men
- National average: 9.2
- West: 9.2
- Midwest: 9.2
- Northeast: 7.2
- Lowest divorce rate by state: New Jersey (6.1)
- Highest divorce rate by state: Arkansas (13.5)
