Florida is renowned for its golden beaches and sunny weather. However, the state also stands out for its divorce and marriage rates, which differ from the national median.
In this article, we'll delve into the details and examine how the latest trends in divorce and marriage are linked to Florida's key demographic data.
The divorce rate in Florida, at 3.4 per 1,000 population, is among the highest in the U.S. In fact, it ranks fifth, following Nevada, Alabama, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
In summary, Florida's divorce rate has generally been on a downward trend over the past decade, with a few years of stability and a slight uptick in recent years. The reasons for these trends could be multifaceted, including economic factors, societal changes, or policy shifts.
There is also a disparity in the percentage of divorced men and women in Florida. For example, in any given year, men typically have a lower divorce rate than women.
Women initiate more divorces than men - around 69%, and for a few reasons.
A Florida couples therapist Gilza Fort-Martinez believes that women have a higher emotional intelligence level and often feel unsupported in marriage. They are also more perceptive and, thus, are the first to notice red flags in relationships.
Fort-Martinez notes that women shoulder more responsibilities in marriage than men, who usually benefit from marriage. Instead, women often feel overwhelmed by child-rearing and housework on top of their full-time jobs, making the idea of a single life more appealing.
Florida laws allow only two reasons to get a divorce, and both are no-fault: irretrievable breakdown of the marriage and mental incapacity. So, even if one spouse has cheated on the other, it won’t be a legal ground for divorce.
However, adultery is a prevalent reason for marriage dissolution. For instance, researchers from Florida State University estimate that 20-25% of married couples experience infidelity at some point.
The statistics show that the percentage of divorces varies significantly from county to county. Let’s look at the most densely populated ones.
The statistics show that the percentage of divorces varies significantly from county to county. Let’s look at the most densely populated ones.
Pinellas County in Florida boasts the highest percentage of divorced individuals at 15.5%, with a population of approximately 958 thousand residents. Furthermore, men in this county divorce less frequently than women, with rates of 13.2% compared to 17.6%.
Numerous factors could influence the divorce rates in this county. Several theories posit that ethnic composition might impact the divorce rate, as certain ethnic groups tend to have higher divorce rates than others.
For example, Pinellas County's population consists of 80% White individuals and 10% Black or African Americans, and it exhibits higher divorce rates among other racial groups.
In Florida, Alachua County has the smallest percentage of divorced individuals, standing at just 10.3%. The divorce rates for men and women in this county differ, with 8.7% for men and 11.7% for women.
Additionally, in Alachua County, the age group with the fewest divorces is the 20 to 34-year-olds. This reduced rate might be attributed to individuals in this age bracket marrying at half the rate of those in other age groups.
According to the 5-year estimate tables from census.gov, in 2021, 14.5% of divorced men and 32.7% of divorced women had minor children in their households.
While Florida laws are gender-neutral in awarding child custody, women are twice as likely as men to be granted primary guardianship. Additionally, let's examine the number of single-parent households in selected counties in Florida for 2021.
Overall, the data indicates that 30 to 40% of families in Florida are headed by single parents.
The dominant ethnic groups in Florida are White (71.6%), Black or African American (15.9%), and Asian (2.78%). Each has its own divorce tendencies, influencing the state’s overall divorce rate.
The 2021 survey by the U.S. Census collected exact percentages for each ethnic group in Florida. It turned out that the American Indian population, although not numerous, had the highest divorce rate.
The lowest rates are among Native Hawaiians and Asians.
Religious affiliation can be another factor influencing divorce. The religious composition in Florida is 70% Christians, most of whom are Evangelical Protestants and Catholics.
Conservative Protestants usually have high divorce rates. Some researchers explain it by lower incomes and earlier family formation among them.
The percentage of the divorced population for selected religious groups is as follows.
The current marriage rate in Florida is 6.8 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Overall, the percentage of married individuals in Florida has remained consistent since 2010, averaging around 46%. In the years 2022-2023, men in Florida have married at a higher rate than women.
For instance, the current percentage of married men is 48.7%. In contrast, the percentage of married women in Florida stands at approximately 44.5%.
Here are a few interesting facts about marriage in Florida:
Residents of Florida get married at ages similar to the U.S. medians. For instance, the U.S. average age at first marriage is 30.6 for men and 28.6 for women. In comparison, men in Florida start a family at 30.4 years, and women marry at 28.5, according to research.
The percentage of married men is the highest after they get 35 years old. On the other hand, the share of married women is rising during their 50s and decreases in their 60s and 70s, which can be partly attributed to women’s higher life expectancy.
Here’s the distribution of married people in Florida by gender and age.
The median length of marriage in Florida is close to the national average. For instance, the average U.S. marriage lasts for 21 years if it’s the first time for both spouses. The second marriage averages 17 years, while the third lasts 13 years.
Florida’s couples live in marriage for 20.4 years on average.
The length of the marriage is essential for alimony calculations in case of divorce. In particular, if the marriage lasts more than 17 years, the courts may award permanent alimony to one spouse.
From 2014 to 2021, there's been a gradual upward trend in the percentage of the married population in Florida, increasing from 45.8% to 47.4%. While there were minor fluctuations in certain years, the overall increase over this 7-year period was 1.6%.
The difference between the men’s and women’s marriage rates by year is noticeable in Florida. In particular, men get married more often than women.
When analyzing the percentage of marriages in the largest counties in Florida, Sumter County emerges with the highest marriage rate at 62%. On the other hand, Alachua County registers the lowest marriage rate in the state, standing at 36.1%.
Same-sex marriages were legalized in Florida on January 6, 2015. At that time, same-sex couples made up 1.2% of coupled households in the state.
In 2021, there were 63,127 same-sex married families. This represents a significant increase from 2020 when the number stood at 46,552 same-sex married couples.
According to Census.gov, 59% of these unions are between male spouses, while 41% consist of female spouses.
Unregistered civil unions are not recognized in Florida, and people in such couples do not receive any rights similar to married spouses.
However, Florida provides an option of a domestic partnership for those who do not wish to marry in a traditional way but want to stay in a committed relationship.
Below are a few brief statistics for people living outside of bonds of traditional marriage in Florida.
Florida's marital landscape is a blend of diverse influences, from ethnicity and religion to gender dynamics. While the state's divorce rate has generally declined over the past decade, variations exist across counties. The introduction of same-sex marriages in 2015 added a fresh dimension to these statistics.
Notably, Florida's overall marriage rate remains among the lowest in the U.S., with age and religious affiliations playing significant roles.
As societal and economic factors evolve, Florida's relationship trends will undoubtedly continue to shift, offering intriguing insights into the state's changing dynamics.
