Divorce Rate in California for Every City & County (Updated 2023)

For some time, many people have believed that the divorce rate in California was the highest in the country. However, when looking at every city and county in the state, California is actually below the national average divorce rate.

Although the state does not report divorce records the same as every state, looking at county and city data can give a good idea of what the actual divorce rate is.

The following updated guide can show anyone how to find out divorce dates without costs, how to look up divorce records in California, and how the state compares with others.

However, for those who want to skip the lists below, looking up divorce records can be fast and easy using online records locators.

What Percentage of Marriages End in Divorce in California?

Many individuals have the perception of California has an extremely high divorce rate compared to the rest of the country. According to the Census Bureau,³ a little over 33% of individuals that have been married at some point have been divorced at least once.

(Image: CQF-avocat⁵)

Despite its reputation, the divorce rate in California seems to be slightly lower than this number.

What Is the Divorce Rate in the World? (What Is the National Divorce Rate in America?)

There are a few different ways to look at divorce statistics but the most common, which is used by the Census Bureau to gather divorce data,¹ but the most common is to look at the number of individuals who have been divorced at all, rather than limiting the scope to only include individuals who have been married.

Although the common number that many people are familiar with when it comes to the percentage of marriages that end in divorce is 50% this number has been declining steadily for over a decade and is likely closer to 40% these days.

Use the table below to learn about the divorce rates in various counties in California.

Looking at cities in California reveals very similar trends to the counties with no city having a significantly greater portion of their population divorced.

Divorce Rates in California Cities

When looking at the data for the entire state, there are few factors that seem to indicate whether or not a county is more or less likely to have an above-average amount of divorces.

One of the biggest factors that will determine if a divorce is more likely is what state the couple lives in, rather than where in the state. Regardless of environmental factors, divorces, in general, are on the decline all over the country, including in California.

With the total number of marriages ending in divorce being on the decline, this statistic is extremely evident when looking at historical data regarding the divorce rate in California.

Is the California Divorce Rate 75 Percent? CA Divorce Rate by Year (Last 20 Years)

When wondering what percentage of marriages end in divorce in California, any people mistakenly believe that the California divorce rate is 75%. It isn’t.

Divorce Rate in America Statistics

When looking at the country as a whole it’s clear that the divorce rate in California is actually well below the national average. Nevada and Maine are actually the states with the highest divorce rates.

Without a federal or state agency properly gathering detailed statistics on divorce rates across the country, it can be difficult to pin down what exactly causes states like Maine and Nevada to be significantly higher.² Obviously environmental factors such as religious demographics, income level, rural vs. urban marriages, and more can all play a factor.

One of the biggest factors that can lead to a higher divorce rate is the age at which the marriage takes place. Generally, the younger the age of the married parties, the more they will be divorced. Looking at the table below there is a clear trend of fewer divorces the older the individuals get.

Divorce Rate By Age: Divorce Rate in California

Top Reasons for Divorce

Although the geographic factors that lead to a higher divorce rate are unclear, looking at the common reasons for divorce can share some insight into divorce statistics across the U.S. Numerous independent and government⁴ bodies have conducted studies to determine the most common reasons that couples say led to a divorce.

(Image: Tumisu⁶)

Among the top reasons are:

• Lack of Commitment
• Infidelity
• Too much conflict
• Getting married too young
• Financial problems
• Substance Abuse
• Domestic Abuse
• Health Problems
• Lack of Support from Families
• Religious Differences

Many of these will come as little surprise. Of course, marital problems can be extremely complex and trying to narrow down the problem so one specific thing is unrealistic, this still gives insight into the common problems that result in a divorce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce Rate in California