Arizona’s divorce rate generally falls between 2.0 and 2.7 divorces per 1,000 residents. Recent CDC data places it at 2.0 per 1,000, reflecting the number of divorces for every thousand people in the state. This keeps Arizona’s rate close to the national average, with only slight fluctuations above it at times. The state’s divorce numbers remain moderate compared to others in the country. Because nothing says “romance in the desert” like ending your marriage right on schedule with the national average.
In Arizona, the median length of a marriage that ends in divorce is about 17.7 years, slightly below the national median of 21 years. Studies show this reflects a somewhat shorter-than-average marriage duration compared to the U.S. overall. Because apparently in Arizona, even desert heat can’t keep a marriage going forever.
| Age Group | Divorce Rate (Per 1,000 Married Women) | Key Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 15–24 | 17.8 | Highest Rate: Reflects the significant risk associated with very young marriages. |
| Ages 25–34 | 17.2 | High Rate: Continues to show a high rate of marital dissolution in early adulthood. |
| Ages 35–44 | 14.5 | Above Average: The rate begins to decline as marriages become more established and spouses gain financial stability. |
| Ages 45–54 | 13.5 | Moderate Rate: Represents divorces in middle age, often referred to as “gray divorce.” |
| Ages 55–64 | 11.4 | Moderate Rate: Continues to decline overall but is elevated compared to past decades. |
| Ages 65 and Older | 5.6 | Lowest Rate: The lowest risk group for divorce, though this rate has tripled since 1990 (“gray divorce” revolution). |
Divorce Rate in Arizona in 2025
- Slightly Higher Divorce Rate. Arizona’s divorce rate has historically hovered just above the national average – for example, 2.7 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2021 compared to the national 2.5.
- High Marriage Rate Means More Potential Divorces. With a marriage rate around 5.4–6.1 per 1,000 residents, Arizona naturally has a larger pool of couples who may eventually divorce. Because when more people jump in, more people eventually jump out. Shocking, truly.
- 90-Day Residency Requirement. At least one spouse must live in Arizona for 90 days before filing for divorce, a rule designed to avoid “snowbird divorces” from seasonal residents.
- No-Fault Divorce System. Arizona requires only that a marriage be “irretrievably broken,” eliminating the need to prove fault and simplifying the process. Great news – no need to blame anyone, just agree it’s broken and hit the eject button.
- Community Property State. All assets and debts acquired during the marriage are jointly owned and split 50/50, regardless of who earned or purchased them.
- Mandatory 60-Day Cooling-Off Period. After filing and serving divorce papers, couples must wait 60 days before the court can finalize the divorce. Nothing says “this is definitely over” like being forced to sit for two months and think about it.
- Covenant Marriage Option. Arizona recognizes Covenant Marriages, a stricter form of union that requires premarital counseling and can only be dissolved under specific, legally defined grounds.
Divorce Rate in Arizona in 2024
- Crude Divorce Rate Slightly Above Average. In 2024, Arizona’s crude divorce rate was about 2.7 divorces per 1,000 residents, slightly higher than the national average of 2.5.
- Urban Areas See Higher Divorce Rates. Divorce is more common in cities like Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Tucson than in rural regions, driven by faster-paced lifestyles and greater financial strain. Because nothing strengthens a marriage like traffic jams, rent spikes, and endless city noise.
- Rising “Gray Divorce”. Divorce among adults over 50 is increasing, reflecting national trends; first divorces typically occur around age 43 for men and 40 for women in Arizona.
- Pure No-Fault Divorce State. Arizona only requires proof that a marriage is “irretrievably broken,” making divorces simpler since no one has to prove wrongdoing Just declare the whole thing broken and voilà – no messy storytelling needed.
- Top Causes: Communication & Money. Major reasons for divorce include communication issues (reported by over 67% of couples), financial problems, and infidelity (around 22%).
- Equitable Distribution of Property. Courts divide marital assets and debts based on fairness, not automatically 50/50. Because what says “fair” better than letting a judge decide who gets the couch and who gets the debt?
- Short 90-Day Residency Requirement. Only one spouse needs to live in Arizona for 90 days before filing – one of the shorter requirements in the U.S.
Divorce Rate in Arizona in 2023
- Crude Divorce Rate Near National Average. In 2023, Arizona’s crude divorce rate was 2.0 per 1,000 residents, slightly below the national average of 2.4, though other metrics occasionally place it slightly above.
- Large Annual Number of Dissolutions. The state recorded 15,160 divorces in 2023, reflecting a consistently high volume of cases. Because nothing says “thriving relationships” like a five-digit breakup count each year.
- Pure No-Fault Divorce State. Arizona only requires a declaration that the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” eliminating the need to prove any wrongdoing.
- Mandatory 60-Day Waiting Period. Couples must wait at least 60 days after service of divorce papers before a judge can finalize the dissolution, even in uncontested cases. A full two months to reflect on whether you really want out—or just want better Wi-Fi.
- Strict Community Property Rules. All marital assets and debts must be split 50/50, while premarital property, gifts, and inheritances remain separate.
- Higher Divorce Rates in Urban Areas. Phoenix, Tucson, and Maricopa County see higher divorce rates than rural areas, often linked to financial strain and fast-paced urban stress. Turns out traffic, rent spikes, and endless noise aren’t exactly the glue holding marriages together.
- Covenant Marriage Option. A rarely used alternative requiring counseling and specific fault-based grounds to divorce, creating a stricter and more limited dissolution path.
- Major Impact on Families With Children. In 2023, about 61% of Arizona divorces involved couples with children under 18, mirroring national patterns.