Examining Marriage and Divorce Statistics in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) publishes a report each year detailing the number of marriages and divorces. The topic for exploration today is an analysis of DHHS data on the number of North Carolina marriages and divorces over the past five years.
It is crucial to note that 2017 is not yet available. As a result, the five-year period for analysis will be 2011 to 2016. The following sections will offer a statistical breakdown of DHHS data for the statewide resident population, total divorces, divorce rate, total marriages and marriage rate.
North Carolina Resident Population
In terms of resident population of North Carolina, the DHHS reported the following data.
- 2011: 9,651,025
- 2012: 9,747,021
- 2013: 9,845,432
- 2014: 9,940,387
- 2015: 10,042,802
- 2016: 10,146,788
Over the selected five-year period, the resident population of North Carolina increased by 495,763. The data indicates a lack of significant deviation during this time period. Overall, the resident population in North Carolina rose steadily and consistently from 2011 to 2016.
North Carolina Divorces and Divorce Rate
In terms of total divorces in North Carolina, the DHHS reported the following data.
- 2011: 36,044
- 2012: 36,346
- 2013: 34,218
- 2014: 33,797
- 2015: 30,816
- 2016: 32,960
In terms of the divorce rate in North Carolina, DHHS reported the following data.
- 2011: 3.7
- 2012: 3.7
- 2013: 3.5
- 2014: 3.4
- 2015: 3.1
- 2016: 3.2
Over the selected five-year period, total divorces decreased by 3,084 and divorce rate fell by 0.5 percent. There was a relatively large drop in both total divorces and divorce rate in 2015. Overall, total divorces and divorce rate decreased incrementally from 2011 to 2016.
North Carolina Marriages and Marriage Rate
In terms of total marriages in North Carolina, the DHHS reported the following data.
- 2011: 64,789
- 2012: 64,814
- 2013: 64,504
- 2014: 68,801
- 2015: 70,125
- 2016: 70,699
In terms of marriage rate in North Carolina, the DHHS reported the following data.
- 2011: 6.7
- 2012: 6.6
- 2013: 6.6
- 2014: 6.9
- 2015: 7.0
- 2016: 7.0
Over the selected five-year period, total marriages increased by 5,910 and marriage rate rose by 0.3 percent. From 2011 to 2012, both total marriages and marriage rate remained mostly constant. After a relatively sharp increase in 2014, the numbers seem to have leveled off again. Overall, total marriages and marriage rate increased incrementally from 2011 to 2016.
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