Montana Divorce Rates

Montana divorce rates in 2022 show the state has 12.79 divorces per 1,000 women aged 15 and older. This measurement, used by the National Center for Health Statistics, provides the most accurate picture of divorce frequency.

The count of divorces in Montana places it in the middle range nationally. Montana is neither among states with the highest divorce rates nor among those with the lowest divorce rates. However, Montana's position relative to neighboring states reveals an interesting geographic pattern.

Montana's Regional Standing

Montana stands out as something of an island when examining regional divorce statistics. While Montana has 12.79 divorces per 1,000 women, all its neighboring states show higher rates of divorce:

  • Wyoming: 19.96 divorces per 1,000 married women (among the top five nationally)
  • North Dakota: 15.23 divorces per 1,000 women
  • South Dakota: 14.92 divorces per 1,000 women
  • Idaho: Higher than Montana's rate

This makes Montana unique in its region, with notably lower rates than the states surrounding it.

National Context: Highest and Lowest Divorce Rates

To understand Montana divorce rates fully, comparing them to national extremes provides valuable context.

States With the Highest Divorce Rate

According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics and research from Bowling Green State University, the state with the highest divorce rate in recent years has consistently been Arkansas.

Recent statistics show:

  • Arkansas: 23.27 divorces per 1,000 married women (highest in the United States)
  • New Mexico: 20.56 divorces per 1,000 married women
  • Wyoming: 19.96 divorces per 1,000 married women
  • Kentucky: 19.52 divorces per 1,000 married women
  • West Virginia: 19.33 divorces per 1,000 married women

Nevada also historically shows high divorce rates, though this reflects the state's unique marriage and divorce laws that make Las Vegas a destination for both quick marriages and quick divorces.

Lowest Divorce Rates in America

States with the lowest divorce rates contrast sharply with high-divorce states:

  • Vermont: 9.2 divorces per 1,000 married women (lowest in the United States)
  • New Jersey: 10.41 divorces per 1,000 married women
  • Alaska: 10.49 divorces per 1,000 married women
  • Minnesota: 10.91 divorces per 1,000 married women
  • Wisconsin: 11.70 divorces per 1,000 married women

The Northeast predominantly features states in the bottom quartile for divorce rates, with no Northeastern states appearing among the highest divorce rate categories.

Divorce Rate Measurements

The divorces per 1,000 measurements require explanation to avoid confusion with other statistics.

How Divorce Rates Are Calculated

The divorce rate per 1,000 women aged 15 and older represents the annual count of divorces divided by the population of women 15 and older, multiplied by 1,000. This provides a standardized way to compare divorce frequency across states with different populations.

This differs from other divorce statistics you might encounter:

Crude Divorce Rate

Some sources report divorces per 1,000 total population. This crude rate includes everyone, not just married women, making it less precise for understanding divorce trends.

Ratio of Divorces to Marriages

Comparing the count of divorces to the count of marriages in a single year creates a ratio, but this doesn't represent the actual divorce rate. States with low marriage rates may show high divorce-to-marriage ratios even with moderate actual divorce rates.

Percentage Currently Divorced

Census Bureau data showing the percentage of residents currently divorced includes everyone who ever divorced, regardless of when, and excludes those who remarried. This cumulative measure differs significantly from annual divorce rates.

Historical Trends in Montana Divorce Rates

Montana divorce rates have declined significantly over recent decades, following national patterns.

Long-Term Decline

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Montana's divorce rate was 5.1 per 1,000 people in 1990. By 2021, it had fallen to 2.5 per 1,000 people, representing a 51% decrease. This places Montana among states with the ninth-biggest decrease in divorce rates since 1990.

When measuring per 1,000 married women (the more precise metric), Montana's rate of 12.79 represents a continuation of this downward trend, though with year-to-year variations.

National Divorce Rate Trends

The United States divorce rate peaked in 1979 at 22.6 divorces per 1,000 married women. Since then, rates have generally declined, with the national average reaching 14.56 divorces per 1,000 married women in 2022.

After reaching a 40-year record low in 2020 and 2021 at 14.0 divorces per 1,000 married women, the national rate rose slightly in 2022. However, this remains well below pre-pandemic levels and continues the overall downward trend since 1979.

The number of women reporting divorce in the past year increased from 948,862 in 2021 to 989,518 in 2022, according to analyses by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University using Census Bureau American Community Survey data.

Regional Patterns in Divorce Rates

Geography significantly influences divorce rates across the United States, with distinct regional patterns.

Regional Divorce Rate Averages

According to comprehensive analyses:

  • West Region (including Montana): Average 3.15 divorces per 1,000 people
  • South Region: Contains 10 of 14 states in the top quartile for divorce rates
  • Northeast Region: Predominantly features states with the lowest divorce rates
  • Midwest Region: Shows mixed results with representation in all quartiles

The South contains no states in the bottom quartile for divorce rates, while the Northeast contains no states in the top quartile.

Montana's Position in the West

Montana's divorce rate of 12.79 per 1,000 women places it below the typical Western state average. Despite being geographically in the West, Montana's rates more closely resemble Midwestern states than its immediate Western neighbors.

Factors Influencing Montana Divorce Rates

Multiple factors may contribute to Montana's relatively moderate divorce rates compared to neighboring states.

Economic Considerations

Montana's cost of living and housing expenses may influence divorce rates in complex ways. Some observers suggest that Montana's housing costs might encourage couples to stay together for economic reasons, sharing expenses rather than maintaining two separate households.

However, this represents anecdotal speculation rather than proven causation. Economic factors can both increase marital stress (potentially raising divorce rates) and create practical barriers to divorce (potentially lowering divorce rates).

Age at Marriage

National data shows that age at marriage significantly affects divorce likelihood. Couples who marry between ages 20-25 are 60% likely to divorce, while those who wait until after age 25 are 24% less likely to divorce.

Montana's demographics regarding marriage age could influence overall divorce rates, though specific state-level data on this factor requires further research.

Education and Income Levels

Higher education levels correlate with lower divorce rates nationally. Couples with college degrees show significantly lower divorce rates than those without higher education.

Montana's educational attainment levels and income distribution may contribute to its moderate divorce rate compared to national averages.

Cultural and Religious Factors

Strong religious beliefs correlate with 14% lower divorce rates nationally. Montana's cultural characteristics, including religious affiliation rates and community values, may influence marriage stability.

Rural character and strong community ties in many Montana areas could also contribute to marriage persistence, though urban-rural divorce rate differences within Montana would require additional analysis.

Data Collection Challenges for Montana Divorce Rates

Understanding Montana divorce rates requires acknowledging data collection limitations.

Incomplete National Data

Not all states report divorce data to the National Vital Statistics System. California, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, and New Mexico don't provide comprehensive divorce statistics, creating gaps in national comparisons.

Montana does report divorce data, allowing for accurate tracking of state trends and comparison with other reporting states.

Different Measurement Methods

Various sources use different methodologies for calculating divorce rates:

  • National Center for Health Statistics uses divorces per 1,000 married women
  • Some sources use divorces per 1,000 total population
  • American Community Survey data provides another measurement approach
  • State vital statistics offices may use different counting methods

These methodological differences can produce varying results even when examining the same time period.

Comparing Montana to Specific States

Looking at specific state comparisons helps contextualize Montana divorce rates.

Montana vs. High-Divorce States

Montana's rate of 12.79 is dramatically lower than Arkansas (23.27), representing nearly half the divorce frequency. Montana also shows substantially lower rates than Wyoming (19.96), despite sharing a border.

Montana vs. Low-Divorce States

Compared to Vermont's 9.2 (the lowest in the United States), Montana's rate is about 39% higher. Montana sits roughly in the middle between extreme high and low divorce rate states.

Montana vs. National Average

With the national average at 14.56 divorces per 1,000 married women, Montana's 12.79 falls approximately 12% below the national average, indicating relatively greater marriage stability than the typical American state.

Impact of COVID-19 on Divorce Rates

The COVID-19 pandemic affected divorce rates nationally and in Montana.

Pandemic-Era Changes

From 2019 to 2020, the United States saw a 12% reduction in administrative counts of divorces from the 35 states reporting data. The adjusted divorce rate fell nearly 10% from 15.5 in 2019 to 14.0 in 2020.

This dramatic decline likely reflected court closures, economic uncertainty, and logistical challenges in pursuing divorce during lockdowns rather than sudden improvement in marriage quality.

Post-Pandemic Trends

The 2021 rate remained at 14.0, but 2022 saw a slight increase to 14.56. This suggests some delayed divorces proceeded once courts fully reopened and pandemic disruptions subsided.

Montana's specific pandemic-era divorce trends would parallel national patterns, though state-specific analysis would require accessing Montana vital statistics data.

Seasonal Patterns in Divorce Filings

National data reveals consistent seasonal patterns in divorce filings that likely apply to Montana.

Research shows divorce rates spike in March and August annually. Couples often stay together through holidays and family celebrations, then pursue divorce when these occasions pass. January also sees elevated divorce filings as people make fresh starts in the new year.

Demographics and Divorce in Montana

Montana's demographic characteristics influence overall divorce statistics.

Population Distribution

Montana's relatively small total population (approximately 1.1 million) means smaller absolute numbers of divorces compared to populous states, even with similar per-capita rates.

Age Distribution

Montana's age distribution affects divorce rates. With significant populations in both younger and older age brackets, Montana experiences divorces across the age spectrum, though the average age for first divorce nationally is 30 years old.

The Meaning Behind Montana's Moderate Rates

Montana's position in the middle range for divorce rates, yet notably lower than all neighboring states, raises interesting questions.

Some potential explanations include:

  • Stronger community ties in Montana's smaller cities and rural areas
  • Cultural values emphasizing marriage commitment
  • Practical considerations about housing and living costs
  • Religious affiliation patterns
  • Age and education demographics
  • Economic factors creating both stress and barriers to divorce

However, definitive explanations require comprehensive research examining multiple variables simultaneously.

So…

Montana divorce rates of 12.79 per 1,000 women place the state in a moderate position nationally, below the national average and dramatically lower than neighboring states. Montana's rate represents roughly half that of Arkansas, the state with the highest divorce rate, while being about 39% higher than Vermont, which has the lowest divorce rates.

Historical data shows Montana participating in the national trend of declining divorce rates, with a 51% decrease since 1990. This long-term decline reflects multiple factors including later marriage ages, higher educational attainment, and changing cultural attitudes about marriage and cohabitation.

Montana's unique position as a low-divorce island surrounded by higher-divorce states makes it an interesting case study in regional variation. Whether this reflects cultural factors, economic considerations, demographic characteristics, or other influences remains an area for continued research and analysis.

Understanding these statistics helps contextualize marriage and divorce in Montana, though individual experiences vary widely regardless of state-level averages. Montana divorce rates represent aggregate patterns across thousands of individual decisions and circumstances.