Marriage rates reached a record low nationwide in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau, dropping to less than half of the total number of households in the country. Marriage rates in the Garden State declined over the period from 1990 to 2011, but have witnessed a steady climb in the past few years. Married couples in New Jersey now constitute nearly 64 percent of the households in the state — a significant 10 percent more than the national average.
Several factors contribute to the decline
The decline in marriage rates can be attributed to several factors, including:
- Americans marrying later: Couples are marrying much later in life. In 1960, a record high of 72 percent of Americans were married and the average age for a first marriage was 22.8 years for men and 20.3 years for women. Today’s average age for first time marrying couples is 29.5 years for men and 27.4 years for women.
- Wider social acceptance of not marrying: The social stigma of not marrying — or living together while unmarried — has dissipated over the years. Today, a greater number of adults are living with a partner and raising children outside of marriage.
- Socio-economic status: According to analysis of existing data, socio-economic status is linked more closely to marital status than ever before. The gap in education and marital status has continued to widen.
NJ counties with lowest marriage rates
While New Jersey boasts a marriage rate above the national average, there are some counties that score lower than others when it comes to tying the knot. Based on 2014 data on marriage rates in New Jersey, the following counties have the lowest marriage rates:
- Middlesex
- Glouster
- Burlington
- Mercer
- Cumberland
- Salem
- Bergen
- Camden
- Morris
- Warren
These figures are based on new marriages in every New Jersey county, calculating the county population and the number of marriages within that county.
We practice in all areas of family law
Marriage, prenuptial agreements, divorce, child custody, and spousal support. These are all common family matters that our experienced legal team addresses every day. At Lomurro Law, our family law attorneys are dedicated to serving and supporting the New Jersey community in all facets of family law and are well recognized for our community outreach and service projects. If you are considering marrying or divorcing, having difficulty with child custody or child support, or another family matter, we can help. Contact a member of our experienced team today at 732-482-9285 or online to arrange for a confidential consultation. Lomurro Law has convenient offices in Freehold and East Brunswick.