Falling in love can feel like a fairy tale, but where you tie the knot matters significantly. A recent study uncovers the states with the happiest marriages—find out if yours makes the cut!
Vermont Leads the Way for Lasting Love
Vermont is at the forefront of marital bliss, scoring an impressive 63.43 in the latest happiness rankings. With couples enjoying an average marriage duration of 22.4 years and a remarkably low divorce rate of just 2.3 per 1,000 residents, the Green Mountain State epitomizes stability in relationships.
Among Vermont's many strengths, its wedding rate stands out, boasting 770 ceremonies per 100,000 residents each year. The dedication of Vermonters to keep the spark alive is evidenced by nearly 2,000 monthly searches for anniversary gift ideas and 557 Google searches for romantic date suggestions per 100,000 people. Couples here are proving that sustainability in marriage goes hand in hand with nurturing love long after the vows are exchanged.
Montana and Wisconsin Also Shine
Following close behind, Montana takes the second spot with a score of 61.49. The average Montana couple enjoys 22.1 years of marriage, ranking fourth in the nation for duration. Nearly 10 percent of the state’s population is married, demonstrating that close-knit communities play a significant role in defining marital happiness. High wedding rates and an active interest in romance further underscore the values that foster love in Montana.
Wisconsin, earning the third position with a score of 58.64, is celebrated for its strong familial bonds. Couples here average 22.5 years of marriage while enjoying a low divorce rate of 2 percent per thousand residents. The state showcases significant online engagement with romantic interests, ranking second nationally for searches related to anniversary gifts.
Why New England States Reign Supreme
New England states display extraordinary marital happiness metrics. Maine ranks fourth, enjoying an average marriage duration of 21.8 years and strong interest in romantic gestures, amassing 1,750 monthly searches for anniversary gifts. New Hampshire rounds out the top five, leading the pack with impressive search volumes, including 2,064 anniversary gift searches and 639 romantic date idea searches per 100,000 residents.
Additional states that exemplify solid marriage metrics include
- Iowa (6th): Experience an average marriage length of 22 years with a favorable divorce rate of 2 percent.
- Rhode Island (7th): Notably high in romantic and anniversary gift searches, contributing to its overall happiness ranking.
- Pennsylvania (8th): Maintains strong marriage longevity coupled with consistent romantic engagement.
- Michigan (9th): A well-rounded performer in terms of comfortable marriage durations and low divorce rates.
- West Virginia (10th): Home of the longest average marriage duration in the country, averaging 22.6 years.
The States with Struggles
Although many states shine, not all are enjoying the same level of marital satisfaction. Alaska, Oklahoma, and New Mexico have some of the lowest rankings, facing challenges such as shorter marriage durations and higher divorce rates.
Alaska clocks in the shortest marriages at an average of just 16.8 years. Oklahoma's divorce rate is disheartening, reaching 3.7 percent per 1,000 people. New Mexico grapples with low wedding volume and short average marriage spans despite having its share of beautiful landscapes.
Interestingly, Nevada leads the nation in wedding volume, hosting a staggering 2,548 weddings per 100,000 residents yearly; however, this doesn't necessitate marital longevity, as the state also has one of the highest divorce rates.
Metrics Behind the Rankings
The fascinating findings are based on six weighted metrics that reflect relationship strength:
1. Marriage duration (40 percent)
2. Marriage rates per 1,000 people (15 percent)
3. Divorce rates per 1,000 people (20 percent)
4. Weddings per year per 100,000 people (15 percent)
5. Searches for romantic date ideas (5 percent)
6. Searches for anniversary gift ideas (5 percent)
Each of these metrics was scored from 0 to 100, and the combined weighted scores determined each state's overall happiness ranking.
Some states, including California, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New Mexico did not provide sufficient data in divorce rates to be included in the study.
When planning a marriage, the environment can profoundly influence relationship success. Understanding which locales foster the happiest marriages can guide couples not just in where to tie the knot but also in where to grow a loving, lasting partnership.