Americans Waiting Longer to Get Married

By Melissa Moore on June 5, 2023

circa 1955: Bert and Ellie Lang, a young couple on their honeymoon in Hawaii enjoy the romance of a sunset dip in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Orlando /Three Lions/Getty Images)

Americans are no longer rushing to the alter.  A new study found that the number of young brides and grooms are dwindling.

In fact, according to data from the US Census found that in 1980, the average American male married at age 25, the average woman at 22.

TODAY, these numbers have really changed!  The average age of a first time bride is 28, and the groom is 30.  

The big question is why?  Research shows that couples used to get married, then build a life and start a family.  Today, younger couples are building that life first and then getting married.

More shocking statistics…

For ages 25 to 54, the share of married Americans has fallen from 2/3 in 1990 to barely 50% today.  And 1 in 10 people live with a romantic partner, while the rest are living by themselves.

It will be interesting to see where they numbers go in the next 20 years.

xo

Melissa