Montana's divorce rate falls in the middle range compared to other states. According to recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics and analysis by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research, Montana has approximately 12.79 divorces per 1,000 women aged 15 and older.
This rate is notably lower than many of Montana's neighboring states. Wyoming, for example, has one of the highest divorce rates in the United States at around 11-20 divorces per 1,000 women, depending on the measurement year. North Dakota shows a rate of approximately 15.23 divorces per 1,000 women, while South Dakota reports about 14.92 divorces per 1,000 women.
Idaho, Montana's western neighbor, also shows higher divorce rates than Montana. This makes Montana something of an island with a lower divorce rate surrounded by states with higher rates.
Divorce Rate Statistics
When researchers discuss divorce rates, they typically measure them as divorces per 1,000 people or divorces per 1,000 women aged 15 and older. This standard measurement allows for accurate comparisons between states with different population sizes.
The Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics track divorce data, though not all states report divorce information to the National Vital Statistics System. States like California, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, and New Mexico don't always provide complete divorce data, which can make national comparisons challenging.
It's important to understand that divorce rates don't tell the complete story. The percentage of a state's population that is currently divorced is different from the annual divorce rate. The divorce rate measures how many divorces occur in a given year, while the percentage of divorced residents includes everyone who has ever divorced and not remarried, regardless of when the divorce occurred.
Montana Demographics Overview
Montana's unique demographics may play a role in its divorce patterns. The state has a relatively small population spread across a large geographic area, with only about 7.8 people per square mile across its 145,550 square miles.
Population Characteristics
Montana's population aged 15 and older shows diverse marital status patterns. According to Census Bureau data, Montana residents include:
- Married individuals (both with spouse present and spouse absent)
- Divorced individuals (who have not remarried)
- Separated individuals (both legally and informally)
- Widowed individuals (who have not remarried)
- Never married individuals
The state's demographic makeup includes different age cohorts, each with distinct marriage and divorce patterns. Younger age groups typically show higher rates of people who have never married, while middle-aged groups show higher rates of married individuals, and older age groups include more widowed individuals.
Geographic Distribution
Montana's seven metro areas and 56 counties show variation in divorce rates. Urban areas may show different patterns than rural counties. The state's most populous places, including cities like Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman, each have their own demographic profiles that influence local divorce statistics.
States With the Highest Divorce Rates
To understand Montana's position, it's helpful to look at which states have the highest divorce rates in the United States.
According to recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics, states with the highest divorce rates include:
- Arkansas consistently ranks as having the highest divorce rate, with approximately 23.27 divorces per 1,000 married women in recent years. This represents divorces per 1,000 women aged 15 and older.
- Wyoming frequently appears in the top five for highest divorce rates, with rates around 19-20 divorces per 1,000 married women.
- Kentucky shows high divorce rates at approximately 19.52 divorces per 1,000 married women.
- New Mexico and West Virginia also frequently rank among states with the highest divorce rates.
Six of the ten states with the highest rates of divorce are typically located in the South, while several Mountain West states also show elevated rates. This geographic pattern makes Montana's relatively lower rate even more notable, as it sits in a region where high divorce rates are common.
States With the Lowest Divorce Rate
On the opposite end of the spectrum, several states consistently show the lowest divorce rates in the nation.
- Vermont recently reported the lowest divorce rate in the United States at approximately 9.2 divorces per 1,000 married women.
- New Jersey also consistently ranks among states with low divorce rates, with approximately 10.41 divorces per 1,000 married women.
- Alaska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have also shown relatively low divorce rates in recent analyses.
Northeastern states tend to have the lowest marriage and divorce rates overall. This regional pattern suggests that cultural, economic, and demographic factors influence divorce rates across different parts of the country.
National Divorce Rate Trends
The national divorce rate peaked in 1979 at approximately 22.6 divorces per 1,000 married women. Since then, the general trend has been one of decline. The current national divorce rate hovers around 14-15 divorces per 1,000 married women aged 15 and older, representing a significant decrease from historical peaks.
Recent data shows that divorces have been declining over the past decade. The latest national figures represent approximately a 27% decrease from divorce rates in 2011. This downward trend continued even through the COVID-19 pandemic, with some states seeing reductions of 10-12% in divorce rates during 2020 and 2021.
The national marriage rate for recent years stands at approximately 16.3 per 1,000 women aged 15 and older, while the national divorce rate is around 7.6 per 1,000 people. However, these numbers can vary significantly based on the measurement methodology used.
Factors Influencing Montana's Divorce Rate
Several factors may contribute to Montana's moderate divorce rate compared to neighboring states.
Economic Considerations
Montana's cost of living and housing challenges have become a frequent topic of discussion. Some observers suggest that economic factors may actually keep couples together. The high cost of housing in Montana might make it financially difficult for couples to afford separate households after divorce. This economic reality could potentially discourage some divorces or cause couples to delay separation.
Age at Marriage
The average age at which people marry significantly affects divorce likelihood. Couples who marry between the ages of 20-25 are approximately 60% likely to get divorced, while those who wait until after age 25 are 24% less likely to divorce.
Montana's demographic patterns regarding age at marriage may influence the state's overall divorce rate. If Montana residents tend to marry at slightly older ages, this could contribute to the state's relatively moderate divorce rate.
Education and Income
Education levels correlate strongly with divorce rates. Couples who have attained higher levels of education show lower divorce rates overall. Montana's educational attainment levels and income distribution may play a role in the state's divorce statistics.
Rural Character
Montana's predominantly rural character may influence relationship stability. Rural communities often have stronger social networks and community ties that might provide additional support for married couples facing challenges.
Cultural and Religious Factors
Religious beliefs and cultural values significantly influence divorce rates. Couples with strong religious beliefs are approximately 14% less likely to divorce. Montana's cultural landscape, including the prevalence and influence of various religious communities, may contribute to divorce patterns.
Demographic Patterns in Montana Divorce
Analyzing divorce by different demographic factors provides deeper insight into Montana's patterns.
Divorce by Age Cohort
Divorce rates vary significantly by age group. The average age for couples going through their first divorce is approximately 30 years old nationwide. Montana likely shows similar patterns, with divorce rates varying across different age cohorts.
Younger married couples face higher divorce risks, while couples who remain married into their 40s, 50s, and beyond show progressively lower divorce rates. This pattern reflects both the challenges of early marriage and the stability that often comes with longer marriages.
Divorce by Gender
Both nationally and in Montana, divorce statistics are often reported separately for men and women. Research shows some gender differences in divorce patterns, though the rates for men and women in any given state are typically quite similar.
Divorce by Race and Ethnicity
Marital status patterns vary somewhat across different racial and ethnic groups. Montana's relatively homogeneous population compared to more diverse states may influence overall divorce statistics, though the state does include Native American communities with their own unique demographic patterns.
Comparing Montana to Surrounding States
Montana's position as having a lower divorce rate than its neighbors is particularly interesting. Understanding why Montana might differ from Wyoming, the Dakotas, and Idaho could reveal important insights.
Wyoming ranks among the states with the highest divorce rates in the entire United States, yet it shares similar rural character, economic base, and cultural heritage with Montana. The factors that lead to Wyoming's high divorce rate but don't affect Montana to the same degree remain somewhat unclear.
Similarly, both North Dakota and South Dakota show higher divorce rates than Montana, despite sharing similar Great Plains geography, climate, and in many ways, demographic profiles.
This geographic anomaly has puzzled researchers and sparked various theories about what makes Montana different from its neighbors in terms of relationship stability.
Seasonal Patterns in Divorce
While not specific to Montana, divorce rates nationally show interesting seasonal patterns that likely apply to the state as well.
Divorce rates consistently spike in March and August every year nationwide. January is also a particularly common month for divorce filings. Many couples apparently try to stay together through the winter holidays, then focus on divorce in the new year.
These seasonal patterns reflect both practical considerations (tax filing, school schedules) and emotional factors (holiday stress, new year resolutions) that influence when couples decide to end their marriages.
Long-Term Trends in Montana
Montana's divorce rates, like those nationally, have likely declined from historical peaks in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Several factors contribute to this long-term decline.
Millennials and younger generations are waiting longer to marry or choosing cohabitation over marriage. This trend reduces the total number of marriages, which in turn reduces the number of potential divorces. Additionally, because divorce risk decreases as couples age, waiting longer to marry makes marriages more likely to succeed.
The percentage of Montana's population that has never married has likely increased over recent decades, reflecting these national trends toward later marriage or choosing not to marry at all.
Montana's Data
When examining Montana demographics and divorce, it's important to understand data limitations. Not all divorce data is available for all years, and different methodologies can produce different results.
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey provides detailed demographic data about Montana, including marital status breakdowns. This data complements administrative divorce records to provide a fuller picture of marriage and divorce patterns in the state.
Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services also tracks vital statistics including marriage and divorce records, though detailed annual reports may not always be immediately available.
Implications for Montana Residents
Understanding Montana's divorce statistics matters for various reasons. For couples, knowing that Montana has a moderate divorce rate compared to neighbors might provide some reassurance, though individual relationship factors matter far more than state statistics.
For policymakers, understanding divorce patterns helps inform family law policies, social services planning, and community support programs.
For researchers, Montana's unique position as having a lower divorce rate than surrounding states presents interesting questions about what factors promote marital stability.