Ah, to be young and in love–there is nothing quite like it. Throughout the ages, finding a partner and settling down has been one of life's greatest rites of passage, as young adults routinely listed finding a husband or wife as a top reason for attending college. But the times they are a-changin', and marriage rates have been in decline for decades, currently stagnating around 7% annually–their lowest in recorded history.
Still, though the national average may be affected by changing attitudes towards marriage across the country, looking at more granular state-by-state data shows how different American life can be from region to region. Indeed, the average age for marriage in some states is a full four years younger than others, accounting for over a 20% difference in median age of marriage.
To help depict trends across the country, Stacker analyzed census data from the 2016 American Community Survey on median age at first marriage. The census surveyed first marriage ages for both males and females and reported the median age for both genders in each state (including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico), and the average of these was used to generate the overall value for ranking each state. Read on to see where your state stacks up.
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Average median age at first marriage: 30.3 (6.1% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.3 (2.7% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 30.3 (9.8% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 0 years
Average median age at first marriage: 30.2 (5.8% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.7 (4.1% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 29.6 (7.2% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.1 years
Average median age at first marriage: 30.2 (5.8% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.8 (4.4% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 29.5 (6.9% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.3 years
Average median age at first marriage: 30.2 (5.8% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.8 (4.4% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 29.6 (7.2% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 30 (5.1% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.8 (4.4% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 29.2 (5.8% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
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Average median age at first marriage: 29.9 (4.7% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.7 (4.1% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 29.1 (5.4% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29.8 (4.4% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.6 (3.7% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 29 (5.1% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29.5 (3.3% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.6 (3.7% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 28.3 (2.5% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.3 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29.4 (3% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.2 (2.4% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 28.6 (3.6% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29.3 (2.6% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.3 (2.7% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 28.3 (2.5% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2 years
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Average median age at first marriage: 29.3 (2.6% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.2 (2.4% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 28.4 (2.9% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29.3 (2.6% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.3 (2.7% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 28.3 (2.5% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29.2 (2.3% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30 (1.7% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 28.4 (2.9% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29.2 (2.3% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30 (1.7% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 28.4 (2.9% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 29 (1.6% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 30.1 (2% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.9 (1.1% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.2 years
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Average median age at first marriage: 28.8 (0.9% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.8 (1% above national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.7 (0.4% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.1 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.6 (0.2% above national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.5 (matches national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.6 (matches national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.9 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.5 (0.2% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.2 (1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.7 (0.4% above national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.5 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.4 (0.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.3 (0.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.4 (0.7% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.9 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.4 (0.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.3 (0.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.4 (0.7% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.9 years
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Average median age at first marriage: 28.4 (0.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.3 (0.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.5 (0.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.4 (0.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.4 (0.3% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.4 (0.7% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.3 (0.9% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.3 (0.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.2 (1.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.1 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.3 (0.9% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.4 (0.3% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.1 (1.8% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.3 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.2 (1.2% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.2 (1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.2 (1.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2 years
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Average median age at first marriage: 28.2 (1.2% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29.2 (1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.2 (1.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.1 (1.6% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.6 (3.1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.5 (0.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.1 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28.1 (1.6% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29 (1.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.2 (1.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 28 (1.9% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.8 (2.4% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.1 (1.8% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.7 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.9 (2.3% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29 (1.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.8 (2.9% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.9 (2.3% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.9 (2% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.9 (2.5% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.8 (2.6% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.4 (3.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 27.2 (1.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.5 (3.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.6 (3.1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.4 (4.3% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.5 (3.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.2 (4.4% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.8 (2.9% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.4 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.5 (3.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.4 (3.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.6 (3.6% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.5 (3.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.4 (3.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.6 (3.6% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.5 (3.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 29 (1.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26 (5.8% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 3 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.4 (4.% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.3 (4.1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.5 (4.% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.4 (4.% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.2 (4.4% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.5 (4.% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.7 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.2 (4.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.3 (4.1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.1 (5.4% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2.2 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.2 (4.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28.1 (4.7% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.2 (5.1% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.9 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.1 (5.1% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 28 (5.1% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.2 (5.1% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 27.1 (5.1% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.9 (5.4% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 26.3 (4.7% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 26.9 (5.8% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.8 (5.8% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 25.9 (6.2% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.9 years
Average median age at first marriage: 26.8 (6.1% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.6 (6.4% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 25.9 (6.2% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.7 years
Average median age at first marriage: 26.7 (6.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.6 (6.4% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 25.7 (6.9% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.9 years
Average median age at first marriage: 26.7 (6.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.5 (6.8% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 25.9 (6.2% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 26.7 (6.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.5 (6.8% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 25.9 (6.2% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.6 years
Average median age at first marriage: 26.4 (7.5% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.2 (7.8% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 25.5 (7.6% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.7 years
Average median age at first marriage: 26.3 (7.9% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 27.2 (7.8% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 25.4 (8.% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 25.8 (9.6% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 26.7 (9.5% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 24.9 (9.8% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 1.8 years
Average median age at first marriage: 25.2 (11.7% below national median)
Male median age at first marriage: 26.2 (11.2% below national median)
Female median age at first marriage: 24.2 (12.3% below national median)
Difference between male and female medians: 2 years
