States where people get married the youngest

Written by:
May 14, 2018
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States where people get married the youngest

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.

#52. Washington D.C.

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

#51. Rhode Island

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

#50. New York

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

#49. Massachusetts

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

#48. Puerto Rico

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

#47. Connecticut

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

#46. New Jersey

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

#45. Vermont

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

#44. Maryland

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

#43. Florida

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

#42. Delaware

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

#41. California

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

#40. Pennsylvania

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

#39. Illinois

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

#38. New Hampshire

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

#37. Michigan

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

#36. Oregon

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

#35. South Carolina

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

#34. Wisconsin

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

#33. Ohio

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

#32. Louisiana

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

#31. Arizona

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

#30. Minnesota

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

#29. Maine

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

#28. Virginia

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

#27. Nevada

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

#26. Hawaii

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

#25. Georgia

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

#24. North Carolina

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

#23. Washington

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

#22. Colorado

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

#21. New Mexico

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

#20. Montana

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

#19. Missouri

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

#18. Mississippi

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

#17. Indiana

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

#16. Alaska

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

#15. Texas

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

#14. Tennessee

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

#13. West Virginia

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

#12. Iowa

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

#11. Nebraska

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

#10. Alabama

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

#9. Kentucky

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

#8. North Dakota

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

#7. Wyoming

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

#6. South Dakota

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

#5. Kansas

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

#4. Oklahoma

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

#3. Arkansas

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

#2. Idaho

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

#1. Utah

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

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