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Divorce rate in Texas is down, but still high in some cities

On Behalf of | Feb 26, 2019 | Uncategorized |

The number of divorces is down and getting lower, statistics show. Popular culture likes to pin this on the decaying rate of marriage among Millennials, but the trend has been moving this direction for 40 or more years.

A recent look at marriage statistics finds that the most likely culprit is better education which led to an increase of women in the workplace and the later age couples are getting married.

Higher age for marriage

One examination of U.S. Census Bureau statistics showed the average age for marriage among women was:

  • 20 in 1947
  • 20 in 1972
  • 21 in 1973
  • 23 in 1984
  • 25 in 1997
  • 27.8 in 2018

In Texas, the number of divorces peaked in 1981 at double the number of 1970. But that figure, both across the state and nationally, was never near the 50-percent-of-all-marriages statistic of urban legend.

Top Texas towns

One website crunched the numbers and looked at the number of divorcees in the 349 Texas towns with more than 5,000 people. It found that the overall divorce rate in Texas is 10.7 percent, lower than the national rate of 10.9 percent.

The examination of U.S. Census Bureau data found the Texas towns with the highest divorce rates were:

  • Alpine – 19.2 percent
  • Rusk – 18.9 percent
  • Rockdale – 18.7 percent
  • Bonham – 8.5 percent
  • Atlanta – 18.3 percent
  • Seabrook – 18.3 percent
  • Gatesville – 18.2 percent
  • Kaufman – 18.1 percent
  • Vernon – 17.7 percent
  • Azle – 17.4 percent

The city with the lowest rate of divorcees? Prairie View.

If you are one the 10 percent of Texans considering a divorce, it’s a good idea to consult with a qualified, experienced attorney to make sure you have all the facts you need. An attorney can help you organize your finances and determine the best course of action for a divorce.

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