Nebraska Divorce Rates

According to recent data from the Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics, Nebraska maintains a divorce rate of approximately 2.6 to 3.0 divorces per 1,000 residents. This places Nebraska as having one of the lowest divorce rates in the country, with the state ranking 23rd lowest nationally. For context, the national divorce rate stands at approximately 2.5 divorces per 1,000 people, showing Nebraska tracks closely with the national average.

The divorce rate by state varies significantly across the United States. While Nebraska reports relatively low numbers, states like Arkansas and Wyoming have among the highest divorce rates at 11.9 and 11.0 per 1,000, respectively. Vermont maintains the lowest rate at 4.6 per 1,000, while states with the highest divorce rates tend to be concentrated in the South and West.

Nebraska Marriage Rates and Their Connection to Divorce

Marriage rates directly influence the number of divorces that occur in any given area. Nebraska has a marriage rate of approximately 6.3 to 7.6 per 1,000 residents, which ranks 19th lowest in the nation. Interestingly, 53.1 percent of people aged 15 and older in Nebraska are married, placing the state fourth in the nation for marriage percentage, behind only Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.

According to data from the American Community Survey (ACS), marriage and divorce patterns in Nebraska reflect broader regional trends. The Midwest generally shows moderate rates compared to other regions, with the Northeast having predominantly lower rates and the South containing many states in the top quartile for divorces per 1,000 married women.

How Nebraska Compares to National Trends

The national divorce rate has been declining steadily over recent decades. The United States saw its peak divorce rate in 1979 at 22.6 divorces per 1,000 married women. By 2022, this had dropped to 14.56 divorces per 1,000 married women according to analyses from the American Community Survey.

Between 35 to 50 percent of first-time marriages in the United States end in divorce. That number increases to approximately 60 percent for second marriages and over 70 percent for third marriages. These figures place the United States among countries with some of the highest divorce rates in the world. However, Nebraska's statistics suggest the state performs better than these national averages.

The decline in both marriage rates and divorce rates reflects changing societal patterns. Millennials tend to wait longer before marrying or forgo marriage altogether in favor of cohabitation. This tendency decreases the overall number of divorces in two ways: by reducing the total number of marriages, thereby reducing potential divorces, and because increases in age at marriage correlate with more stable unions.

Divorce Rate Calculations

Divorce rates are typically calculated as the number of divorces among women aged 15 and older per 1,000 women in that age group. This measurement provides a standardized way to compare rates across different states and time periods. The National Center for Health Statistics collects this data, though not all states consistently report to the National Vital Statistics System.

It's important to understand that the percentage of divorced residents differs from the divorce rate. For example, approximately 10.2 percent of Nebraska residents identify as divorced. This percentage represents people currently divorced at any given time, not the annual rate of new divorces. This distinction matters when interpreting statistics about marriage and divorce.

Factors Influencing Nebraska Divorce Rates

Several factors contribute to Nebraska's relatively low divorce statistics compared to other regions. Age plays a significant role, with couples who marry before age 25 showing 60 percent likelihood of divorce, while those who wait until after 25 are 24 percent less likely to divorce.

Education level also impacts marital stability. Couples who have attained higher levels of education reduce their risk of divorce. Religious beliefs correlate with divorce rates as well, with those holding strong religious convictions being 14 percent less likely to divorce. Nebraska's cultural values and demographics likely contribute to its lower rates.

Regional patterns show that Northeastern states tend to have the lowest marriage and divorce rates, while Southern and Western states generally have the highest marriage and divorce rates. Nebraska, situated in the Midwest, falls somewhere in the middle of these geographic trends.

Age and Timing Patterns in Nebraska Divorces

The timing of divorce varies significantly across different age groups and marriage durations. Nationally, married couples between the ages of 15 and 24 are more likely to divorce than any other age group, with a divorce rate of 27 per 1,000 currently married people in this bracket. This rate has declined from a 1990 high of 47.2 divorces per 1,000 currently married individuals.

The median age at first marriage has been steadily increasing, with current figures showing age 30.4 for men and age 28.6 for women. This upward trend in marriage age contributes to greater marital stability overall. The first two years of marriage represent a high-risk period for divorce, followed by average risk in years three and four, then another high-risk period during years five through eight. Most first marriages that end in divorce do so within eight years.

Interestingly, divorce rates among older adults have been rising even as overall rates decline. Among adults aged 50 and older, 36 percent represent all divorcing adults in the United States. The divorce rate for those aged 65 to 74 stands at 39 percent, and this represents the only age group experiencing increases in divorce rates. This phenomenon, sometimes called "gray divorce," has more than doubled since the 1990s.

The Impact of Nebraska Divorce Laws

Nebraska operates as a no-fault divorce state, meaning couples don't need to prove wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. The only requirement is that the marriage must be "irretrievably broken." This legal framework has been in place since 1972, simplifying the divorce process and potentially influencing the state's divorce statistics.

The state requires at least one spouse to have lived in Nebraska for one year before filing, with an exception for couples married in Nebraska who have lived there throughout a marriage lasting less than one year. After filing, couples face a mandatory 60-day waiting period before finalizing their divorce.

Current Trends and Future Projections

Recent data from the Census Bureau shows that from 2012 to 2022, the national divorce rate dropped from 9.8 to 7.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 and older. During this same period, marriage rates remained relatively stable. Nebraska followed similar patterns, with Washington D.C., Colorado, and Nebraska posting among the nation's highest marriage rates in 2022 at 24.4, 20.9, and 20.8, respectively.

The number of marriages inevitably affects the potential number of divorces. With marriage rates showing signs of stabilization rather than growth, divorce rates may continue their gradual decline. However, one notable exception exists: divorce rates among those aged 65 and older have been increasing, with this demographic now representing 36 percent of all divorcing adults.

Resources for Nebraska Couples

For Nebraska residents considering divorce or experiencing marital difficulties, numerous resources exist. The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides forms and information for those pursuing dissolution of marriage. Legal Aid of Nebraska offers assistance for qualifying individuals, and many family law attorneys throughout the state provide consultation services.

Understanding Nebraska divorce rates provides valuable context for residents navigating relationships and family law matters. While statistics offer general trends, every marriage is unique, and couples facing difficulties should seek appropriate professional guidance regardless of what broader statistics suggest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Divorce Rates

What is the current divorce rate in Nebraska?

Nebraska currently has a divorce rate of approximately 2.6 to 3.0 divorces per 1,000 residents, which is one of the lowest in the United States. The state ranks 23rd lowest nationally for divorce rates. About 10.2 percent of Nebraska residents identify as divorced at any given time. This low rate reflects both the state's strong marriage culture and demographic factors that contribute to marital stability.

Why does Nebraska have a lower divorce rate than many other states?

Nebraska's lower divorce rate stems from several factors. The state has a high percentage of married couples, with 53.1 percent of people aged 15 and older being married, ranking fourth in the nation. Cultural values, religious beliefs, and educational attainment in Nebraska all contribute to stronger marriages. Additionally, the Midwest region generally experiences moderate divorce rates compared to the South and West, which have the highest rates, and the Northeast, which has the lowest.

How do Nebraska divorce rates compare to the national average?

Nebraska's divorce rate of 2.6 to 3.0 per 1,000 residents compares favorably to the national average of approximately 2.5 per 1,000. While Nebraska tracks closely with national figures, the state consistently performs better than the United States average when measuring divorces per 1,000 married women. Nationally, between 35 to 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, while Nebraska appears to fall on the lower end of this spectrum.

What age groups in Nebraska are most likely to get divorced?

Couples who marry between the ages of 15 and 24 face the highest divorce risk, with rates of 27 per 1,000 currently married people in this age bracket. Those who marry before age 25 have a 60 percent likelihood of divorce, while waiting until after age 25 reduces the likelihood by 24 percent. Interestingly, adults aged 65 to 74 represent the only age group with increasing divorce rates at 39 percent, reflecting the national trend of rising "gray divorce" among older couples.

Are divorce rates in Nebraska increasing or decreasing?

Nebraska divorce rates have been declining over recent decades, following national trends. From 2012 to 2022, national divorce rates dropped from 9.8 to 7.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 and older, and Nebraska has followed similar patterns. Marriage rates have remained relatively stable during this period. The decline results from multiple factors, including people waiting longer to marry and the correlation between older marriage age and greater marital stability. However, divorce rates among those 65 and older continue to increase.