Divorce Rates by Race: Black Women Have the Highest Rates

Divorce rates in the United States vary significantly by race and ethnicity. At nearly every age, divorce rates are higher for black than for white women, and they are generally lowest among Asian and foreign-born Hispanic women. Recent demographic projections suggest that these racial and ethnic gaps in marriage and marital dissolution will continue growing.

Black Women Have the Highest Divorce Rates

• Black women have the highest divorce rates of any racial or ethnic group in the United States.
• According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the divorce rate for black women was nearly twice that of white women in 2017.
• The divorce rate for black women aged 45-54 was the highest of any racial or ethnic group, at 18.5%.
• The divorce rate for black women aged 25-34 was also the highest of any racial or ethnic group, at 11.3%.

Divorce Rates for Other Racial and Ethnic Groups

• The divorce rate for white women was 9.4% in 2017.
• The divorce rate for Asian women was 8.3%.
• The divorce rate for foreign-born Hispanic women was 6.2%.
• The divorce rate for native-born Hispanic women was 8.4%.

Divorce rates in the United States vary significantly by race and ethnicity. Black women have the highest divorce rates of any racial or ethnic group in the United States, while Asian and foreign-born Hispanic women have the lowest rates. Recent demographic projections suggest that these racial and ethnic gaps in marriage and marital dissolution will continue growing.