South Carolina's divorce rate consistently ranks among the lowest in the nation, presenting an interesting contrast to many neighboring southern states. Recent data from the Census Bureau and the National Center for Family & Marriage Research reveal important patterns about marriage and divorce in the state.
Refined Divorce Rate
The refined divorce rate measures divorces per 1,000 married women aged 15 and older, providing a more accurate picture than crude rates that include the entire population. In 2024, South Carolina reported a refined divorce rate of 11.7 divorces per 1,000 married women, tying with Montana for one of the lowest divorce rates in the United States.
This places South Carolina in the bottom quartile nationally, indicating that married couples in the state tend to stay together longer than in many other regions. Wisconsin, New Jersey, Idaho, Montana, and South Carolina comprised the five states with the lowest divorce rates in 2024.
Crude Divorce Rate
The crude divorce rate, calculated as divorces per 1,000 total population, stood at approximately 2.4 to 2.5 in South Carolina for 2021 and 2022. This figure represents roughly 7.5 divorces per 1,000 women when measured using Census Bureau methodology, placing South Carolina 24th highest among states in 2022.
In 2020, South Carolina recorded 10,261 divorces, translating to an average of 28 divorces daily across the state. These statistics place South Carolina as the 25th state in the number of divorces and 21st highest in divorce rate, when measuring 5.70 divorces per thousand people.
National Comparison
The national divorce rate in 2022 stood at 7.1 per 1,000 women using Census Bureau measurement methods, showing a significant decline from 9.8 in 2012. South Carolina's 2022 divorce rate of 7.5 per 1,000 remained slightly above this national average, though still representing one of the lower rates when using the refined measurement that accounts only for married women.
South Carolina Divorce Trends Over Time
Examining divorce trends across decades reveals important patterns about how marriage dissolution has evolved in South Carolina and the broader United States.
Historical Divorce Rates
The period between 1970 and 1980 witnessed the highest number of divorces in South Carolina, primarily because of shifts in social culture and the availability of no-fault divorce laws. During this era, divorce rates surged nationwide as legal barriers fell and cultural attitudes toward ending marriages became more accepting.
In 1990, South Carolina's divorce rate stood at approximately 4.5 per 1,000 people, nearly double the current rate. This decline mirrors national trends, where divorce rates have followed a gradual decline over recent decades.
By 2021, the divorce rate in South Carolina averaged 2.4 per 1,000 people, representing a substantial decrease from previous decades. This translates to fewer couples going through separation compared to past generations.
Recent Decade Trends
Between 2012 and 2022, South Carolina's divorce rate remained relatively stable. The state ranked 36th among states for the rate of divorces in 2012, but rose to the 24th highest by 2022. This shift indicates that while South Carolina's absolute divorce rate declined modestly, other states experienced even steeper declines, changing South Carolina's relative ranking.
The 2022 divorce rate of 7.5 per 1,000 showed no statistically significant change from the 7.1 rate in 2021, suggesting recent stabilization after decades of decline.
Year | South Carolina Divorce Rate | National Divorce Rate | Number of Divorces in SC |
1990 | 4.5 per 1,000 population | Higher than current | Data not available |
2012 | 7.5 per 1,000 women | 9.8 per 1,000 women | Data not available |
2020 | 2.5% (5.7 per 1,000) | 2.3 per 1,000 population | 10,261 |
2021 | 7.1 per 1,000 women | 7.1 per 1,000 women | Data not available |
2022 | 7.5 per 1,000 women | 7.1 per 1,000 women | Data not available |
2024 | 11.7 per 1,000 married women (refined) | 14.2 per 1,000 married women (refined) | Data not available |
The COVID-19 Impact
The 2020 data showed effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, with divorces seeing a substantial decrease to 630,505 nationally, lowering the national divorce rate to 2.3. South Carolina followed this pattern with recorded decreases during the pandemic year, though 2021 saw recovery, with divorces increasing nationally to 689,308 and a divorce rate of 2.5.
South Carolina Marriage Statistics
Marriage patterns significantly influence divorce trends, as changes in when and how people marry affect later dissolution rates.
Current Marriage Rates
South Carolina ranked 4th for the highest rate of marriages in the United States at 20.6 per 1,000 women in 2022, showing more South Carolinians tying the knot lately. This represented 3.9 more marriages per 1,000 women than were reported in 2021.
However, 2022 was not a statistically significant change compared to the 18.4 per 1,000 marriage rate South Carolina had in 2012, even though the state ranked 21st for the highest rate of marriages in 2012, compared to 4th in 2022.
Marriage Duration
The average duration of current marriages in South Carolina stands at 20.8 years, indicating substantial commitment among married couples. The median length of marriage reaches about 20.8 years when including all current marriages, suggesting South Carolinians demonstrate patience and dedication to making marriages work.
National Marriage Trends
The national marriage rate was 16.7 per 1,000 women in 2022, compared to 16.6 in 2012, showing relatively flat change over the decade. In 2022, Washington D.C., Colorado, and Nebraska had among the nation's highest marriage rates at 24.4, 20.9, and 20.8, respectively, while New Mexico had among the lowest at 12.1.
South Carolina's marriage rate of 20.6 places it among the states where marriage remains popular, well above the national average.
Demographic Factors Influencing South Carolina Divorce
Multiple demographic factors interact to influence divorce rates across South Carolina's diverse population.
Age at Marriage
The age at which people marry represents one of the biggest predictors of divorce likelihood. Studies demonstrate that earlier marriages, especially at ages 19 or 20, face higher divorce rates due to financial instability, emotional immaturity, and life changes that can strain marriages.
South Carolina has experienced a rising mean age at marriage, contributing to lower divorce rates. Couples who marry later typically possess greater financial stability, clearer life goals, and more relationship experience, all factors that support marital success.
Education Level
Education significantly influences divorce rates in South Carolina and nationwide. Marriages where both partners have completed higher education show lower divorce rates compared to unions of less educated couples.
Education enhances financial status, improves communication skills, and increases compatibility, factors contributing to marital success. Educational attainment in South Carolina affects regional divorce patterns, with areas having higher educational levels typically showing lower dissolution rates.
Economic Factors
Financial problems represent a major source of marital conflict. Couples experiencing unemployment, underemployment, or financial difficulties face a higher divorce risk. Economic disparities between South Carolina's rural and urban regions influence divorce rates, with economic stability varying significantly across different parts of the state.
Urban areas like Charleston show different patterns than rural regions, partly reflecting economic opportunities and financial security differences.
Religious Beliefs
Religious outlook remains very important in South Carolina, profoundly influencing marriage and divorce perceptions. The majority of South Carolinians identify as Christians, with many practicing their faith regularly. Religious communities typically support the marriage institution, and research indicates that couples practicing religions together show lower divorce tendencies.
South Carolina's strong religious culture contributes to the state's lower divorce rates compared to less religious regions of the United States.
Geographic Distribution
South Carolina's divorce patterns show geographic variation. Urban areas such as Charleston demonstrate higher rates compared to some rural regions, though the state overall maintains relatively low rates. Regional cultural differences, economic opportunities, and population demographics all contribute to these geographic patterns.
Regional Context
South Carolina exists within the Southern region, which shows distinct divorce patterns compared to other parts of the United States.
Southern States and Divorce
Three-fourths (76%) of states in the Southern region demonstrate high divorce rates, with 8 of the 16 Southern states (and DC) in the fourth/top quartile nationally. Despite this regional pattern, South Carolina maintains one of the lowest divorce rates, distinguishing it from neighbors like Arkansas (11.9 per 1,000 women in 2022) and Mississippi (19.2 per 1,000 married women in 2024).
Why South Carolina Differs
Several factors explain why South Carolina maintains lower divorce rates than many Southern neighbors:
South Carolina prefers mediation and counseling more than other states, potentially reducing divorces by helping couples work through conflicts. The state's mandatory one-year separation requirement for no-fault divorce creates a cooling-off period that allows some couples to reconcile.
Religious and cultural factors supporting marriage remain strong in South Carolina. Economic stability in major metropolitan areas provides financial security that protects marriages from money-related stress.
Legal Framework Impact on Statistics
South Carolina's legal approach to divorce significantly influences the state's divorce statistics and trends.
One-Year Separation Requirement
South Carolina law requires couples seeking no-fault divorce to live separately and apart without cohabitation for a period of one year before filing. This mandatory waiting period distinguishes South Carolina from states allowing immediate no-fault divorce filing.
The separation requirement means some couples reconcile during the year-long period, potentially reducing the final number of divorces. However, it also means couples must endure extended limbo before legally ending failed marriages.
Fault-Based Grounds
South Carolina recognizes four fault-based grounds for divorce: adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug abuse, and desertion, which allow immediate filing without waiting through separation. These fault-based options mean some divorces proceed more quickly when marital misconduct can be proven.
Fault-based divorces typically involve more conflict and higher costs, potentially deterring some couples from pursuing divorce or encouraging them to wait for the no-fault option instead.
Impact on Statistics
South Carolina's legal requirements influence when and how divorces occur. The mandatory separation period means divorces get counted in statistics later than in states allowing immediate filing, potentially affecting year-to-year comparisons.
The availability of fault-based grounds influences whether couples pursue contested or uncontested divorces, affecting both the adversarial nature of proceedings and the timeline for completion.
How Divorce Rates Are Calculated
Understanding measurement methodologies helps interpret South Carolina demographics & divorce statistics accurately.
Crude Divorce Rate
The crude divorce rate divides the total number of divorces by the total population of a given area within a specific time period, usually one year. For example, if South Carolina records 10,000 divorces in a year with a total population of one million, the crude divorce rate equals 10 divorces per 1,000 residents.
This measurement provides a simple overview but doesn't account for population characteristics like the proportion of married individuals, age distribution, or other demographic factors affecting divorce risk.
Refined Divorce Rate
The refined divorce rate offers a more sophisticated measure, calculating divorces per 1,000 married women aged 15 and older. This rate focuses on the population actually "at risk" of divorce, married individuals, rather than including children, never-married adults, and others who cannot divorce.
Given significant state-level variation in age composition and sex ratios across the United States, the refined rate provides a superior demographic measure of marital behavior.
Why Different Rates Show Different Results
South Carolina's crude divorce rate of approximately 2.4 to 2.5 per 1,000 total population appears moderate. However, the refined rate of 11.7 per 1,000 married women reveals South Carolina has one of the lowest divorce rates when measuring only the population that can actually divorce.
This distinction matters because states with younger populations or higher proportions of never-married adults show lower crude rates even if married couples divorce frequently, while the refined rate captures true marital stability.
National Divorce Trends Context
South Carolina's divorce patterns exist within broader national trends affecting marriage and divorce across the United States.
Declining National Rates
Both marriage and divorce rates in the United States have experienced a significant decline between 2000 and 2021. The marriage rate dropped from 8.2 per 1,000 population in 2000 to 6.0 in 2021. Similarly, the national divorce rate decreased from 4.00 per 1,000 population to 2.5.
In absolute numbers, there were 944,000 divorces and annulments in 2000, falling to 689,308 by 2021. This decrease aligns with CDC findings showing a nearly 20% decline in United States divorce rates over the last decade.
Factors Behind National Decline
Multiple factors contribute to declining national divorce rates:
Delayed marriage means people marry later in life when more mature and financially stable, reducing divorce risk. Increased cohabitation before marriage allows couples to test compatibility before legal commitment.
Economic factors, including delayed marriage due to student debt and career establishmen,t mean couples marry with greater financial security. Changing social attitudes make cohabitation without marriage more acceptable, potentially filtering out less committed couples from the married population.
South Carolina Within National Context
South Carolina follows the national pattern with divorce rates averaging 2.4 per 1,000 people in 2021, a decrease from 4.5 in 1990. However, South Carolina's recent ranking shifts suggest the state's rate has declined less dramatically than some other states, changing its relative position even as absolute rates decreased.
Future Outlook for South Carolina Demographics & Divorce
Several trends suggest how South Carolina demographics & divorce patterns may evolve in coming years.
Continuing Decline Expected
Given national trends and South Carolina's strong cultural factors supporting marriage, a continued gradual decline in divorce rates appears likely. Rising marriage age, increased educational attainment, and economic stability all suggest future couples will enter marriages better prepared for long-term commitment.
Demographic Shifts
South Carolina's growing population, particularly in metropolitan areas like Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, may influence future divorce patterns. Urban growth typically correlates with different marriage and divorce patterns compared to rural regions.
An aging population may also affect statistics, as "gray divorce" among couples over 50 has increased nationally, though these divorces remain less common than those among younger couples.
Legal System Changes
Any modifications to South Carolina's divorce laws could significantly impact statistics. If the mandatory one-year separation period were shortened or eliminated, divorce rates might appear to increase as couples could file more quickly, though this would represent timing changes rather than increased marital breakdown.
Conversely, expanded access to marriage counseling, mediation services, or other support programs might help more couples avoid divorce altogether.
Seeking Guidance on South Carolina Divorce
Divorce attorneys can explain how South Carolina's mandatory separation period applies to your situation, whether fault-based grounds might benefit your case, and what to expect regarding property division, alimony, and child custody based on current legal standards and local court practices.
While statistics show South Carolina maintains relatively low divorce rates, suggesting strong marriages, they also confirm that thousands of couples in the state face marriage dissolution annually. You're not alone in this difficult transition, and professional legal support helps ensure the process resolves as smoothly and fairly as possible given your unique circumstances.