Vermont Divorce Rates

When it comes to lasting marriages, Vermont stands out as a national success story. The state consistently ranks among the lowest in the country for divorce rates, suggesting that couples who marry in Vermont tend to stay together longer than in most other states.

Vermont's Remarkably Low Divorce Rate

Vermont divorce rates tell an encouraging story. According to recent data from the American Community Survey and the National Center for Health Statistics, Vermont had one of the lowest divorce rates in the United States in 2022, with approximately 9.2 divorces per 1,000 married women. By comparison, the national divorce rate that year was 14.56 divorces per 1,000 married women.

Looking at the crude divorce rate (measured per 1,000 total population rather than just married women), Vermont's rate sits at around 2.3 divorces per 1,000 people. This places Vermont well below the national average and makes it one of the most marriage-stable states in the country.

What Makes Vermont Different?

Vermont residents tend to marry later in life compared to the national average. The median age for first marriage in Vermont is approximately 30.6 years, significantly higher than in states like Vermont, where the median age is 25.8 years. Research consistently shows that couples who marry when they're older and more emotionally mature have better odds of staying together.

When people wait until their late twenties or early thirties to marry, they've typically had more time to establish their careers, understand themselves better, and choose partners more carefully. This maturity factor plays a significant role in Vermont's low divorce statistics.

Educational Attainment

Vermont has relatively high education levels compared to many other states. Women aged 15 and older with higher educational attainment tend to have more stable marriages. Studies show that individuals with college degrees are less likely to divorce than those without, and Vermont's educated population contributes to its strong marriage statistics.

Higher education often correlates with better communication skills, more stable employment, and higher incomes, all factors that reduce marital stress and improve relationship outcomes.

Economic Stability

While Vermont isn't the wealthiest state, it has a relatively stable economy with lower unemployment rates than many other regions. Financial stress is one of the top reasons couples divorce, so Vermont's economic stability helps protect marriages from one of the most common divorce triggers.

Longer Median Duration of Marriage

Vermont boasts the longest median duration of marriages in the United States at approximately 22.4 years. This means that when Vermont marriages do end in divorce, the couple has typically been together for over two decades. This statistic suggests that Vermont couples who marry are committed to making their relationships work for the long haul.

National Divorce Trends and How Vermont Compares

The national divorce rate peaked in 1979 at 22.6 divorces per 1,000 married women. Since then, the overall trend has been downward. From 2008 through 2022, divorce rates have steadily decreased, with particularly notable drops since 2012.

The American Community Survey data shows the divorce rate dropped from 15.5 per 1,000 married women in 2019 to 14.0 in 2020, likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. After remaining stable at 14.0 in 2021, the rate rose slightly to 14.56 in 2022 but remained well below pre-pandemic levels.

Vermont's divorce rate followed similar patterns but remained significantly below the national average throughout this period. While the nation saw a 10% decline in divorce rates from 2019 to 2020, Vermont's already-low rates held steady, reinforcing the state's position as having some of the most stable marriages in the country.

States with the Highest and Lowest Divorce Rates

Looking at divorce rates by state reveals interesting geographic patterns. In 2022, Arkansas had the highest divorce rate in the nation at 23.27 divorces per 1,000 married women, more than double Vermont's rate. Other states with high divorce rates included New Mexico (20.56), Wyoming (19.96), Kentucky (19.52), and West Virginia (19.33).

The Census Bureau data shows clear regional patterns. The South contained 10 of the 14 states in the top quartile for divorce rates, while the Northeast predominantly consisted of states in the bottom quartile with the lowest divorce rates. Vermont, along with other Northeastern states like New Jersey, consistently ranks among states with the lowest divorce rates.

Marriage Rates Holding Steady

While divorce rates have declined, marriage rates have remained relatively stable. The national marriage rate was 16.6 per 1,000 women aged 15 and older in 2012 and 16.7 in 2022. Vermont's marriage rate follows similar patterns, though the state isn't among those with the highest marriage rates.

States like Washington D.C. (24.4), Colorado (20.9), and Nebraska (20.8) had the highest marriage rates in 2022, while Puerto Rico (6.3) and New Mexico (12.1) had the lowest. Vermont sits somewhere in the middle, with moderate marriage rates but exceptional marriage stability once couples tie the knot.

How Divorce Rates Are Calculated

The way statisticians measure divorce rates affects how we interpret the data. There are several methods, and understanding them helps clarify what Vermont divorce rates really mean.

Adjusted Divorce Rate

The adjusted or refined divorce rate measures divorces per 1,000 married women aged 15 and older. This is the most common measurement because it focuses specifically on the population at risk of divorce, people who are actually married. When we say Vermont's divorce rate is 9.2, we're typically referring to this adjusted rate.

Crude Divorce Rate

The crude divorce rate measures divorces per 1,000 people in the total population, regardless of marital status. Vermont's crude rate of around 2.3 per 1,000 people is even more impressive because it shows how rare divorce is relative to the entire state population.

Why Different Sources Show Different Numbers

Not all states report divorce data to the National Vital Statistics System consistently. California, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, and New Mexico don't always provide complete divorce statistics, which can affect national calculations. The Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics sometimes use different methodologies, leading to slightly different numbers.

This inconsistency in reporting means that while Vermont's divorce rate is definitely among the lowest in the nation, the exact ranking and numbers can vary slightly depending on the source and year.

Age and Divorce Risk

Divorce rates vary significantly by age group, and Vermont's demographic makeup plays a role in its low overall divorce rate.

Younger Couples Face Higher Risk

Nationally, couples who marry between the ages of 20-25 face a 60% chance of divorce. The divorce rate is highest for women aged 15-24, with younger marriages carrying substantially more risk than those where both partners wait until their late twenties or thirties.

Vermont's higher median age at first marriage (30.6 years) means fewer couples face this high-risk period. By waiting until they're more established personally and professionally, Vermont couples avoid one of the biggest predictors of divorce.

While younger couples face the highest divorce rates, there's been a notable increase in "gray divorce", divorces among couples over 50. Nationally, the divorce rate for people aged 55-64 has risen significantly since 1990, and the rate for those 65 and older, while still the lowest of any age group, is the fastest-growing demographic for divorce.

Vermont hasn't been immune to this trend. Some of the state's divorces involve longer marriages ending after 20 or 30 years, though these "gray divorces" are still relatively uncommon compared to other states.

Vermont's Legal Environment and Divorce

Vermont's divorce laws may also contribute to the state's low divorce statistics. The legal process for ending a marriage in Vermont has some unique features.

No-Fault Divorce Requirements

Vermont offers no-fault divorce, meaning couples can end their marriage based simply on "irreconcilable differences" or the marriage being "irretrievably broken." However, the state requires couples to live "separate and apart" for at least six months before the divorce can be finalized.

This mandatory separation period, while not the longest in the nation, gives couples time to reconsider and potentially reconcile. Some experts suggest that states with waiting periods and more involved divorce processes see slightly lower divorce rates because the process isn't impulsive.

The Nisi Period

After a judge signs the final divorce decree, Vermont typically requires a 90-day "nisi period" before the divorce becomes legally final. This waiting period serves as a last chance for reconciliation. However, in uncontested divorces where both parties agree, couples can waive this period.

Residency Requirements

Vermont requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing for divorce, and one year of residency before the final hearing can occur. These residency requirements, while standard, may discourage hasty divorces and contribute to Vermont's stability statistics.

Economic Factors Affecting Vermont Divorce Rates

Money problems rank among the top three reasons for divorce nationwide, so Vermont's economic landscape plays a role in its divorce statistics.

Cost of Divorce

Getting divorced in Vermont costs money. The court filing fee for a contested divorce is $295, while an uncontested divorce costs $90 (if one spouse is a Vermont resident) or $180 (if neither spouse is a resident). These fees, combined with potential attorney costs, mean divorce isn't free.

When couples face the actual cost of divorce, both financial and emotional, some may choose to work harder on their marriages rather than separate. Vermont's divorce process, while accessible, isn't so easy that couples split up impulsively.

Property Division Considerations

Vermont uses an equitable distribution system for dividing property in divorce, meaning assets are divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions (including homemaking), and each person's financial circumstances.

For longer marriages, Vermont has the longest average marriage duration in the country, and property division can become quite complex. This complexity may encourage some couples to work through difficulties rather than face the challenge of dividing decades of shared assets.

Cultural and Social Factors

Beyond demographics and legal requirements, Vermont's culture and social environment contribute to its low divorce rates.

Community Values

Vermont is known for valuing commitment, stability, and community connections. These cultural values may translate into stronger commitments to making marriages work. Small-town Vermont, where many residents know their neighbors, may also create social pressure to maintain family stability.

Lower Population Density

Vermont is one of the least densely populated states in the nation. Some research suggests that rural and less densely populated areas have slightly lower divorce rates than major urban centers, though this varies by region. Vermont's rural character may contribute to its marriage stability.

Access to Support Services

Vermont offers various marriage counseling and family support services. When couples hit rough patches, access to these resources may help them work through problems rather than immediately filing for divorce.

The COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic affected marriage and divorce trends across the country, including in Vermont.

Did Pandemic Stress Increase Divorces?

Initially, many experts predicted the pandemic would cause divorce rates to spike as couples spent more time together under stressful circumstances. However, the opposite happened. Divorce rates actually declined nationally during 2020, dropping nearly 10% from 2019 levels.

Vermont followed this pattern. While exact state-level data for 2020 is limited due to collection challenges during the pandemic, available information suggests Vermont's already-low divorce rate either held steady or declined slightly during the pandemic's first year.

Delayed Divorces

Part of the decline came from practical factors; courts were closed or operating at reduced capacity, making it harder to file for and complete divorces. Some couples who would have divorced in 2020 may have delayed their proceedings until 2021 or 2022, when courts returned to normal operations.

Marriage Rate Dip in 2021

The national marriage rate fell below 15.0 per 1,000 women in 2021, likely due to postponed weddings during the pandemic. Vermont experienced similar patterns, with couples delaying marriage ceremonies until restrictions lifted. By 2022, marriage rates had largely returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Looking Ahead

Based on current patterns and demographic trends, what might Vermont's divorce rates look like in the coming years?

Continued Stability Expected

Given Vermont's consistent history of low divorce rates and the factors that contribute to them, higher age at marriage, strong education levels, stable economy, the state will likely continue to rank among the lowest for divorces. These underlying factors aren't changing dramatically, so Vermont's marriage stability should persist.

National Trends May Influence Vermont

If national divorce rates continue their long-term decline, Vermont will likely follow suit. The same cultural shifts affecting the rest of the country, delayed marriage, increased cohabitation before marriage, and changing attitudes about relationships, influence Vermont as well.

Generational Differences

Millennials and Gen Z individuals are approaching marriage differently than previous generations. They're waiting longer to marry, living together first more often, and being more selective about partners. Since these patterns generally correlate with lower divorce rates, Vermont's young people may contribute to even more stable divorce statistics in future decades.

What Vermont's Divorce Rates Mean for Residents

For Vermont residents considering marriage or currently married, what do these statistics actually mean?

While Vermont's low divorce rate is encouraging, statistics don't determine individual outcomes. Every marriage is unique, and state-level divorce rates can't predict whether any specific relationship will succeed or fail.

Good Foundation, But Still Requires Work

Vermont's cultural, demographic, and economic factors create a good foundation for lasting marriages, but successful relationships still require effort, communication, and commitment from both partners. The low divorce rate suggests Vermont provides an environment where marriages can thrive, but couples must still do the work.

Access to Resources

Vermont's divorce statistics suggest that marriages here have better odds of lasting, and the state offers resources to help couples navigate challenges. Family counseling, legal support, and community services are available to help couples work through difficulties before considering divorce.

Moving Forward

Vermont divorce rates paint a picture of a state where marriages tend to last. With the lowest divorce rate in the nation at approximately 9.2 divorces per 1,000 married women, Vermont stands out as a place where couples commit to making their relationships work long-term.

The combination of higher age at first marriage, strong educational attainment, economic stability, and cultural values supporting commitment creates an environment where marriages flourish. Vermont's median marriage duration of 22.4 years, the longest in the United States, reinforces this pattern.

While divorce rates have declined nationally from their 1979 peak, Vermont has consistently maintained divorce rates well below the national average. This stability persisted even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when both Vermont and the nation saw divorce rates either hold steady or decline rather than spike as some predicted.