For divorced individuals who would like to someday re-marry, United States trend data is on their side
In 2013, forty percent of all new marriages had at least one partner who had been previously married, and twenty percent of all new marriages were between couples that had both previously been married. These findings have recently been released from the Pew Research Center after analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Using information collected from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey conducted in 2013, 1980 and 1960, researchers have been able to investigate marriage and remarriage trends throughout the United States.
According the Pew report, over 42 million U.S. adults have been married more than once, almost double the amount of 22 million in 1980 and triple since the 14 million in 1960. The Pew report cites several reasons for this increasing trend, including the rise in divorce, which ultimately makes more individuals available for remarriage. The increase is also tied to the longevity of the Baby Boomer population, which has resulted in people both living longer and having more years in which to marry and re-marry after divorce or death.
While second marriages are becoming more common, there are gender preferences. Survey data indicates that 65% of divorced or widowed men are more open to the idea of remarriage. Women who are divorced or widows are less likely to consider remarriage – 43% indicated they may want to remarry in the future.
Additionally, older adults are more likely to remarry than those who are younger. Members of the Baby Boomer generation, those born between 1945 and 1964, are more likely to remarry than those from other generations. This could be attributed to older individuals now living longer and in better health, fueling the desire to have fulfilling relationships in their “golden years”.
Numerous research studies have been conducted over the years documenting the strong correlation between financial security and marriage. This established pattern is also true for adults who choose to remarry. The median personal income of remarried adults is approximately $5,000 higher than that of divorced adults and owning a home, another indicator of personal wealth, occurs with 79% of those who have remarried.
Additional findings highlighted in the Pew report include:
- Almost 16% of newly remarried couples include a wife who is at least 10 years younger than her husband.
- First-marriages tend to be between individuals who are similar in age. New marriages which have at least one spouse previously married tend to have a wider age gap.
- 8% of married individuals have been married three or more times.
- In the U.S., whites are more likely to remarry than those of other races with 60% of previously married whites having remarried.
- Individuals born in the U.S. are somewhat more likely than those who were born outside of the U.S. to remarry (58% vs. 51%).
To learn more, and read the full report, read, “Four in Ten Couples are Saying I Do Again” on PewSocialTrends.org.
How This Relates To Fort Collins
Curious about the US Census Data for Fort Collins, CO? Take a look at: http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/0827425
Want to know how residents in Fort Collins and Larimer County, CO responded to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey regarding marriage and re-marriage? Take a look at: http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk
Or you can use this link, but you need to fill in state/county: https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/data-profiles/2014/
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