Many families in New York are established on the basis of marriage. While this arrangement can be optimal, it is not uncommon for divorce to later become a better option for the well-being of the family. If you are considering divorce in New York, a New York divorce lawyer can assist you through the process by helping with filing paperwork, negotiation, and mediation, as well as by arguing on your behalf in court.
In order to understand and contextualize your own divorce-related decisions, it’s important to have an understanding of the general divorce statistics in the state, including the divorce rates.
New York Divorce Rate
The state of New York has a comparatively low divorce rate when compared with other states in the country. According to the World Population Review from 2022-2023, of all of the states, New York is ranked as having the third lowest divorce rate in the country, with a rate of 8.8%.
In the last ten years, the divorce rate has stayed relatively constant at eight to nine percent each year. The only year in which the divorce rate exceeded nine percent was 2021. When stratifying the New York divorce rates by gender, it’s notable that women divorce at rates higher than men in the state.
Common Characteristics of a New York Divorce
Roughly half of divorces in New York involve children who are minors. This statistic highlights the need in the state for legal professionals who have experience in divorce matters involving children, such as child support and child custody disputes. In New York State, Republican counties have higher divorce rates than Democratic ones, but only by a slight margin. While the divorce rate of Republican counties is roughly 9.4%, that of Democratic counties is 9.2%
Divorce rates are highest among the Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders ethnic groups and lowest among Asians.
No-fault divorces became an option in 2010, which opened up the possibility of citing the “irretrievable breakdown” of a marriage as a reason for filing for divorce. It must be proven that the breakdown occurred six months before the date of filing the divorce. Irretrievable breakdown tends to be the most commonly used reason for divorce in the state, as it allows divorcing spouses to keep their marital issues private and doesn’t require them to provide proof of fault.
Divorce by Counties and Cities in New York State
There are 62 counties in the state of New York, each of which has a specific divorce rate. The counties in New York with the highest divorce rates include Ulster County, Niagara County, and Onondaga County. Ulster County, the county with the highest rate, has a divorce rate of 11.8 percent.
Divorce rates vary by city in New York State as well, ranging anywhere from 6 to 20 percent. The cities in New York with the highest divorce rates include Jamestown, Rome, Long Beach, Niagara Falls, and Rochester. New York City and Ithaca are the cities with the lowest divorce rates in the state.
FAQs
Q: Which NY Cities Have the Highest Rates of Single-Parent Families?
A: It is difficult to determine what exact percentage of the New York population is made up of single-parent families, but it is estimated that it can range from 17 to 60 percent. Bronx County, which is estimated to have roughly 58% of all families being single-parent, has one of the highest rates in the state. Other counties with high rates of single-parent families include Montgomery County and Monroe County.
Q: Does Religion Impact Divorce Rates in New York?
A: Whether a person is practicing a religion or not could influence whether or not they will pursue a New York divorce, according to New York divorce statistics. Among Evangelical Protestants in New York, the divorce rate is 13%, while it is around 7% for those who are Jewish. Among those who did not report a religion, the divorce rate is around 9%.
Q: Does Political Party Affiliation Influence New York Divorce?
A: Typically, the majority of counties in New York vote to support the Democratic Party. Of the few counties that do vote Republican, the divorce rates tend to be slightly higher among residents there. The divorce rate of Republicans is around 9.4 percent, and the divorce rate among Democrats is 9.2. There are multiple factors that can explain these differences in divorce rate by party preference, such as the age at which each spouse got married and whether there were previous marriages.
Q: What Percentage of Adults in New York Are Married?
A: New York has one of the lowest rates of marriage in the country, which is estimated to be roughly 45.2 percent. Other states with low marriage rates include New Mexico, Mississippi, Rhode Island, D.C., and Louisiana. Among all of the adults who are married, a greater proportion of them are males than females. The average New York marriage length is roughly 20 years.
Q: At What Age Do People Get Married in New York?
A: People in the state of New York get married at a later stage in life when compared with those in other states. While the national average age of first marriage is 30.6 for men, the average age for New York men is 31.4. Women in the state of New York tend to marry for the first time when they are around 29.7 years old, which is also higher than the national average of 28.6 years.
Understanding More About the Facts and Logistics of New York Divorces
While New York has a lower rate of divorce than most other states, divorce is still common. If you’re among the many spouses who’ve decided to divorce, the services of a qualified family lawyer can be an invaluable asset. A New York divorce lawyer from the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can optimize the divorce process by helping with negotiations on critical issues such as asset separation, child care, and spousal support. Get in touch with us to begin your divorce today.
