Marriage and Divorce

Data on Marriage and Divorce

Marriage and divorce data can be found from a variety of sources. These sources are listed below with brief descriptions to help you decide which data source would best suit your needs. Availability of data by time and geography are highlighted in the sections below. The links below will take you to the appropriate page for marriage and divorce data by survey.

The American Community Survey (ACS)

The American Community Survey (ACS) is an annual national survey collected monthly which provides communities with reliable and timely demographic, housing, social, and economic data every year.

Data on marriage and divorce characteristics are available for the U.S., states, and more specific geographic areas that meet minimum population sizes for the given survey year. There are over a thousand detailed tables in American FactFinder (AFF). There are more than 700 tables on marriage and divorce. Data are available from 2000 to the present.

The Current Population Survey (CPS)

The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey of about 50,000 households conducted by the Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survey has been conducted for more than 50 years. Marriage and divorce data are collected annually as part of the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC).

Data on marriage and divorce characteristics are available for the U.S. from 1950 to the present.

The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)

The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is a longitudinal panel survey of demographic information, income, labor force characteristics, and program participation in the United States. Supplemental topical modules are included on a rotating basis and include questions on topics such as martial history and household relationships.

Data on marriage and divorce are available for the U.S. for each panel starting in 1984.

The Decennial Census

The Decennial Census occurs every 10 years, in years ending in zero, to count the population and housing units for the entire United States. Its primary purpose is to provide the population counts that determine how seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are appointed.

Data on marriage and divorce characteristics are available for the U.S., 50 states and the District of Columbia, counties, and subcounty statistical areas (such as zip codes and block groups), from 1880 to 2000.