Texas Divorce Statistics
Divorce and marriage trends often reflect broader social, cultural, and economic changes that are occurring within a state. Throughout Texas, divorce rates have shifted over the last twenty years, prompting many to question whether marriages are becoming stronger or whether fewer people are choosing to get married altogether. By reviewing population data and marriage and divorce statistics in Texas, it is possible to estimate how divorce patterns have changed between 2003 and 2023. These custom Texas divorce statistics provide insight into whether fewer Texans are getting divorced today than 20 years ago.
Texas Population Growth and Divorce Trends
Texas has experienced significant population growth over the past twenty years, whether it’s from people moving to the state or from people having more children. According to the United States Census Bureau estimates, Texas was home to approximately 22.1 million residents in 2003. By 2023, the state’s population had grown to approximately 30,727,890 residents. This population increase of more than eight million people over 20 years creates an important context for analyzing divorce trends over the years. If population size increases substantially, one might expect that the total number of divorces has increased as well.
However, it’s important to note that because the number of divorces may have increased, it doesn’t mean that divorce is more popular. Using rates per 1,000 residents, rather than raw totals, we have determined that divorce rates have actually decreased in Texas over the last 20 years. Using divorce rates allows researchers to compare divorce frequency across different time periods while accounting for population changes.
Divorce Rate Comparison Between 2003 and 2023
Public health data has shown that divorce rates in Texas have declined over time. In 2003, Texas recorded approximately 3.8 divorces per 1,000 residents. By 2023, the divorce rate in Texas had declined to approximately 2.7 divorces per 1,000 residents. The data we have compiled indicates that, proportionally, fewer Texans are getting divorced compared to two decades ago.
While divorce rates provide useful insight into today’s trends, they do not tell the entire story. To fully understand whether fewer people in Texas are getting divorced, it is also necessary to examine marriage trends both in 2003 and in 2023. Fewer marriages naturally create fewer opportunities for divorce, which can influence overall divorce statistics.
Estimating Marriage and Divorce Totals Using Texas Population Data
To better understand divorce trends in Texas, we looked at publicly available population, marriage, and divorce data and used it to determine how many marriages and divorces likely occurred in Texas during each year studied.
First, government data provided total marriages in both 2003 and 2023, which we broke down into a marriage rate that shows how many marriages typically happen for every 1,000 people living in the state. By applying that rate to the total Texas population for each specific year, we can estimate the approximate number of marriages that likely took place during that time period.
Next, government data also provides a divorce rate that shows how often divorces occur compared to the overall population for each year studied. To estimate how many marriages ended in divorce, we compared the divorce rate to the marriage rate to determine what percentage of marriages likely ended in divorce during both 2003 and 2023. That percentage was then applied to the estimated number of marriages to produce an estimated number of divorces in Texas.
Using this approach allows us to compare marriage and divorce trends across different years while still accounting for Texas’s growing population. Marriage rates used in this analysis are based on historical trend data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marriage Rates Used for Estimates
- 2003 marriage rate: 7.5 marriages per 1,000 residents
- 2023 marriage rate: 5.9 marriages per 1,000 residents
Divorce Rates Used for Estimates
- 2003 divorce rate: 3.8 divorces per 1,000 residents
- 2023 divorce rate: 2.7 divorces per 1,000 residents
To estimate divorces in Texas based on marriages, divorce rates were converted into percentages of marriages by dividing the divorce rate by the marriage rate for each year.
Estimated Marriage and Divorce Totals in Texas
| Year | Texas Population | Marriage Rate (per 1,000) | Estimated Marriages In Texas Per Sources | Divorce Rate Percentage | Estimated Divorces In Texas Per Sources |
| 2003 | 22,100,000 | 7.5 | 165,750 | 50.7% | 83,995 |
| 2023 | 30,727,890 | 5.9 | 181,295 | 45.8% | 82,969 |
What the Statistics Reveal About Divorce Rates In Texas
These current statistics on divorce and marriage rates in Texas compared to 20 years ago show that, despite major population growth, the total number of divorces in Texas has remained relatively stable and has actually slightly declined. In 2003, Texas experienced approximately 83,995 divorces, whereas in 2023, that number dropped slightly to approximately 82,969 divorces. Without breaking the numbers down to per 1,000 residents, it’s easy to see how the divorce rate has declined, even with a rising population.
This trend suggests that Texans are less likely to divorce on a per capita basis compared to two decades ago, in 2003. However, marriage rates have also changed significantly over the years. Although the estimated number of marriages rose slightly due to population growth, the marriage rate itself has declined. This means that proportionally fewer Texans are choosing to get married compared to 20 years ago.
The statistics we have created also suggest that a smaller percentage of marriages are ending in divorce compared to earlier years. This shift may reflect changes in relationship expectations, social norms, and economic considerations.
Factors That May Contribute to Lower Divorce Rates In Texas
There are several social and economic factors that may help explain the decline in divorce rates throughout Texas.
Couples Are Waiting Longer to Marry
Many individuals now prioritize education, career development, and financial independence over marriage, causing them to wait before tying the knot. Research often shows that individuals who marry later tend to have lower divorce rates because they enter marriage with greater emotional maturity and life stability, and they tend to date for longer, which means they know each other better.
Financial Pressures In Today’s Economy
Economic situations within Texas often influence both marriage and divorce decisions, as money is a big factor. Rising housing costs, student loan debt, and childcare expenses can lead couples to delay marriage or even choose to remain married longer due to shared financial responsibilities that they may not be able to afford on their own. Divorce can result in high legal costs and asset divisions, which may also cause couples to remain married.
Increased Acceptance of Cohabitation Rather Than Marriage
More couples today live together without getting legally married first. While in the past, it was frowned upon to live together before marriage, social norms have changed, and many unmarried couples live together to save on housing expenses. When these relationships end, they are not reflected in Texas divorce statistics. This shift can contribute to declining divorce rates even if long-term relationships continue to end at similar levels.
Expanded Access to Counseling and Mediation
Relationship counseling, therapy services, and mediation programs have become widely accepted and available over the last 20 years. Couples who seek professional relationship assistance during difficult periods may be more likely to remain married rather than choose to get divorced. These types of resources can improve communication and conflict resolution skills between married couples.
Changing Cultural Views of Marriage
Marriage is no longer viewed as the only path toward long-term partnership or creating a family. Social expectations surrounding marriage have evolved, which has led some individuals to delay or avoid getting married altogether. This shift in cultural norms may reduce both marriage and divorce activity.
Rise in Grey Divorce
Although overall divorce rates have declined, divorce among older couples, commonly referred to as grey divorce, has increased in recent decades. Grey divorces often involve long-term marriages and complex financial issues that must be faced, such as retirement benefits and asset division. This trend today versus 20 years ago demonstrates that divorce patterns vary across different age groups.
What These Divorce Statistics Mean for Texas Families
Even though divorce rates have declined over the last 20 years, divorce continues to impact thousands of Texas families each year. Divorce often involves significant emotional, financial, and legal obstacles and considerations. Issues such as property division, child custody arrangements, and spousal support can have long-lasting effects on individuals and families.
Population growth and changing social attitudes will likely continue to reshape marriage and divorce trends in the future. Younger generations often approach relationships differently than previous generations have, which may continue influencing family dynamic patterns.
Speak With an Austin Divorce Lawyer Who Puts Your Future First
Divorce can feel overwhelming, but Eric M. Willie understands that every divorce carries emotional and legal challenges, and he works closely with all of his clients throughout Austin to help them protect what matters most. Whether your case involves child custody, property division, contested matters, or spousal support, Eric M. Willie is committed to helping you move through your divorce case in Austin with clarity and confidence.
If you are thinking about filing for divorce or are responding to a divorce petition, now is the time to learn about your rights and options to protect your and your children’s best interests. Contact Eric M. Willie, P.C., today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward your next chapter.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). State divorce rates, 1990–2021. National Center for Health Statistics.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/marriage-divorce/state-divorce-rates-90-95-99-21.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). State marriage rates, 1990–2023. National Center for Health Statistics.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/marriage-divorce/state-a-rates-90-95-00-23.pdf
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Texas population estimates.