The Average Age Of Divorce In Arizona 

It’s commonly known that about half of marriages across the United States end in divorce. But how long these marriages last- and how old the spouses are when they divorce- is less well-known. Are marriages more likely to end earlier in the relationship, when there has been less investment made in the marriage, after several years of marriage and potentially after the children have left the home, or somewhere in between? And how does the average age of divorce in Arizona compare to other states in the nation? Read on for the answers to these questions and more. No matter how you compare to the average age of divorce in Arizona, you can benefit from skilled family law counsel. Schedule your free consultation with our Phoenix Divorce Lawyers today at 480-680-9126 for more information. 

First Divorce

While analyzing divorce statistics, it’s important to remember that many people get married more than once. Depending on how you view things, it may come as a surprise that the divorce rate increases based on how many times a person has been married. But it is only logical that the age of first divorce is lower than second divorces, third divorces, and so on. Spouses on their second and subsequent divorce also stay married for a shorter amount of time. The median age of a woman going through a first divorce in Arizona is 40, and for men is 43. These numbers are comparable to figures reached in other states and nationwide. This number also becomes much lower for spouses who got married before age 25. Apparently, with age comes some wisdom, which translates to picking a more compatible partner in life. 

Race & Ethnicity & Median Age Of First Divorce

Researchers have evaluated the median age of first divorce nationwide based on race and ethnicity. Here, the most recent year of data available is 2023. The total range between the median age of first divorce was 7.6 years. Researchers identified six population groups of women: White, Black, Foreign-Born Hispanic, Native-Born Hispanic, Asian, and Other/Multiracial. Native-born Hispanics have the youngest median age of first divorce at 37.6 years old. Foreign-born Hispanics have the oldest median age of first divorce at 45.2 years old. The rest of the median ages of first divorce are 41.5 for Whites, 44.1 for Blacks, 43.1 for Asians, and 43.3 for Other/Multiracial. 

Median Age Of First Divorce & Educational Level

Another way to look at divorce statistics is by how much education a person has obtained. The age of first divorce varied by educational level by 2.9 years for women and 4.6 years for men. In women, the lowest median age of first divorce was 40.2 for “some college,” which is the category between “High School/G.E.D. or less” and “Associate Degree.” The oldest age of first divorce was 43.1 for women with a master’s or professional degree. The oldest and youngest categories were the same for men, although the ages were 41.6 for high school/G.E.D. or less and 46.2 for master’s or professional degree. Therefore, the more education a person has, the older they are likely to be if they get divorced. This could partially be explained by this population group getting married later, as they are busy obtaining an education and building their careers in their youth. 

Has Arizona’s Divorce Rate Increased Over the Years?

As cultural attitudes towards divorce shift, one might assume that the divorce rate has gotten higher as compared to the past. But it may be surprising to learn that the opposite is true, and Arizona’s divorce rate has actually trended downwards over the years. The most recent year for which the CDC has data available is 2023. As it stands, Arizona’s divorce rate is 2.0 divorces per 1,000 total population. This is much lower than the national average of 6.1 divorces per 1,000 total population. It is also much lower than the divorce rate was in decades past. Just 10 years prior, in 2013, the divorce rate in Arizona was 3.9 divorces per 1,000 total population. In 2003, there were 4.4 divorces per 1,000 total population. Back in 1990, Arizona’s divorce rate was 6.9 divorces per 1,000 total population. Comparing the most recent figure to then, the divorce rate has gone down by 71 percent. While Arizona has a reputation for being a state with a high rate of divorce, we fall below the national average, and the situation seems to still be improving. 

Gray Divorce On The Rise

While the divorce rate in general is on the decline, the number of married couples getting divorced later in life is on the rise. This phenomenon is known as “gray divorce.” In 1990, couples ages 50 and older accounted for 8.7% of divorces in the United States. By 2019, that number had skyrocketed to 36 percent. Experts attribute this trend to a few different causes. First, people are living longer than they did in previous generations. This means there is more opportunity to go out and live life, and potentially meet a different partner, if the love has died in a marriage. Women are more likely to initiate divorce, especially in this age range, and often do so after burnout from decades of caretaking. 

Another reason experts believe gray divorce is common is that people grow and change over time, so the longer two people are married, the greater the chance they evolve into two people who are no longer compatible. There is only so much counseling can do if one or both spouses have completely changed their views on religion, politics, etc. Lastly, a revolution occurred in the 1970’s, the effect of which could still be observed in this day and age. Title IX was passed in 1972, granting women protections from discrimination, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed in 1974. With more financial independence, more women were able to leave marriages in which they previously would have been trapped. Attitudes towards divorce began to shift, and stigma against divorcees began to decrease. For those who got divorced during this time period, they may now be getting their second or third divorce, as the divorce rate increases with the number of times a person has been married. All of this increases the average age of divorce both in Arizona and nationwide. 

Considering Filing For Divorce in Arizona? Start Here With Your Free Consultation. 

Anyone who is considering initiating a family law matter, such as divorce, can gain from speaking to an experienced attorney. Divorce is already complex without judgment being clouded by personal emotions, and the outcome of a divorce is difficult to overturn and can affect the parties for the rest of their lives. Self-representation can save a spouse going through divorce money up front, but going through any legal dispute without an attorney can end up being costly. Want to save yourself headaches and restless nights, and potentially a significant amount of funds in the long run? Make sure your case is prepared and filed by an experienced family law lawyers in Arizona. Our team helps you achieve your desired outcome with competitive rates and affordable payment options. Learn more today with your free consultation at 480-680-9126.