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Index: Demographics / Subcategory: Demographics

Marriage-Divorce Rates

Date updated: 03/20/2012

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Marriage is measured by counting the number of marriage licenses issued each year by the Larimer County Clerk & Recorder's office. Divorce is the number of dissolutions of marriage and legal separations granted by the District Court. Both rates are calculated using a population count of persons 18 years or older.

What this chart shows: Marriage and Divorce Rates (per 1,000 Adults) in Larimer County, 2002-2011

 

Data Sources:

See data table

What the above data tell us:

 There have been more marriages than divorces in Larimer County over the last decade. The marriage rate in Larimer County has fluctuated from a low of 10.6 marriages per 1,000 adults in 2009 to a high of 11.8 in 2002, averaging 12.2 over the last decade.

During this same time period, the divorce rate fluctuated between a high of 7.6 per 1,000 adults in 2005 and a low of 6.0 per 1,000 adults in 2008 and 2011.

Divorce has long been connected to bankruptcy, and bankruptcy to divorce. An article by staff of the Executive Office for United States Trustees states: "One theory was that divorces cause bankruptcy because the dissolution of the household produces financial distress. The second theory was that divorce and bankruptcy are both examples of breaking promises and that an increase in promise breaking 'across the board' has produced the increases in both divorces and bankruptcy filings." (Source: United States Department of Justice, Library of Bankruptcy Articles)

In 2005, both bankruptcy and divorce rates hit a six-year high in Larimer County. While the increase in bankruptcies in 2005 has been tied to filers' awareness that bankruptcy laws would become more restrictive in 2006, it is open to interpretation as to whether the increase in divorces during the same period is directly related to an anticipation of change in bankruptcy laws. Based on the theories referenced above however, a general correlation between bankruptcy and divorce rates appears to exist. See Bankruptcy and Foreclosure for more bankruptcy information. There were also changes in the Colorado Divorce laws in 2005 which hoped to reduce the negative impact of adversarial litigation.

What this chart shows: Marital Status of Population over Age 15, Larimer County, 2010 American Community Survey One-Year Estimates

 

Data Source: 2010 American Community Survey (Table B12001)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

 In 2010, the majority of Larimer County residents, over the age of 15, were married (50.2%), followed by those who have never been married (33.9%).

What this chart shows: Marital Status of Population 15 Years and Older in Larimer County Communities, 2006-2010 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates

Data Source: 2010 American Community Survey (Table B12001)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

It is estimated that, on average, 52.7% of Larimer County residents over the age of 15 were married during the last half of the decade (2006-2010). Of the individual communities, Fort Collins had the highest percentage of single people, while Timnath had the highest percentage of married residents. Caution must be used when considering percentages for communities with small populations; small changes in any marital status group would result in a large change in the percentage.

Additional Information:

Related Information on COMPASS -

Other Resources -

Standards or Targets: N/A

Data Tables:

Marriages and Divorces in Larimer County

Marriages

Divorces

Adult Population (over 18)

Marriage Rate per 1,000 Adults

Divorce Rate per 1,000 Adults

2002

 2,411 1,490 204,016 11.8 7.3

2003

 2,424 1,367 206,350 11.7 6.6

2004

 2,432 1,289 211,040 11.5 6.1

2005

 2,483 1,636 213,867 11.6 7.6

2006

 2,516 1,400 218,604 11.5 6.4

2007

 2,608 1,413 223,668 11.7 6.3

2008

 2,451 1,370 228,751 10.7 6.0

2009

 2,480 1,420 233,453 10.6 6.1

2010

 2,630 1,525 236,549 11.1 6.4

2011

 2,717 1,472 239,338 11.4 6.2

See chart

Marital Status Percentage - American Community Survey 2010

Current Marital Status

Never Married

Married

Separated

Widowed

Divorced

United States

 79,640,017 114,441,866 5,501,632 14,944,367 27,025,729

Colorado

 727,031 1,954,280 72,146 179,827 475,986

Larimer County

 82,865 122,741 2,844 9,856 26,000

See chart

Marital Status Numbers - American Community Survey 2006-2010 Five-Year Estimates

Current Marital Status

Married

Never Married

Divorced or Separated

Widowed

United States

 122,022,881 75,352,775 30,870,330 14,827,482

Colorado

 2,052,283 1,142,749 513,071 178,797

Larimer County

 126,764 75,580 27,027 10,045

Berthoud

 2,195 1,037 495 175

Estes Park

 3,359 593 663 369

Fort Collins

 51,150 49,515 11,911 4,204

Loveland

 29,305 12,040 6,968 2,920

Timnath

 233 51 24 13

Wellington

 2,577 855 531 127

See chart