Wyoming has one of the highest divorce rates in the country. The crude rate is about 3.4 to 3.7 divorces per 1,000 residents, with recent data at 3.4. The refined rate, per 1,000 married women, is around 19.9, often ranking in the top five nationally. Both measures place Wyoming in the upper tier for marital dissolution. Clearly, Wyomingites treat “happily ever after” as a flexible guideline.
The median length of an intact marriage in Wyoming is about 19 years. This only includes marriages that have not ended in divorce or death. So, Wyoming couples call it quits just a bit sooner than most – barely enough time to learn each other’s favorite ranch hand.
| Age Group (Years) | U.S. Divorce Rate per 1,000 Married Women (2021) | Key Wyoming/National Trend Observations | Wyoming Overall Divorce Rate (Recent Estimates) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–24 | 19.7 | Highest risk rate nationally. Risk is highest for those who marry young, a demographic factor often associated with Wyoming. | 19.96 per 1,000 married women (Refined Rate, 2022) |
| 25–34 | 16.3 | High rate, though rates are declining nationally as couples delay marriage. | 3.7 per 1,000 total population (Crude Rate, 2021) |
| 35–44 | 14.9 | Marriages that last the median duration (around 8 years) often end in divorce for individuals in this age bracket. | Top 5 Ranking: Wyoming consistently ranks among the top five states for divorce |
| 45–54 | 14.1 | Stable rate, slightly lower than younger groups. | |
| 55–64 | 11.8 | Part of the “Gray Divorce” trend; the rate for this older group has risen significantly since 1990. | |
| 65 and older | 5.5 | Lowest rate, but fastest-growing demographic for divorce since 1990. |
Divorce Rate in Wyoming in 2025
- High Refined Divorce Rate: Wyoming consistently posts one of the highest refined divorce rates in the U.S. In 2024, about 18.7 divorces per 1,000 married women, well above the national average.
- High Marriage Rate Paradox: Wyoming also has one of the highest marriage rates, creating a larger pool of couples who can – and often do – divorce.
- Pure No-Fault Option: The simplest ground for divorce is no-fault, filed under “irreconcilable differences.”
- Fault Grounds Still Exist: Despite being primarily no-fault, Wyoming still recognizes adultery, extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and felony conviction as fault-based grounds.
- Very Short Waiting Period: A judge can finalize a divorce as soon as 20 days after the respondent is served.
- Short Residency Requirement: Only 60 days of residency are required to file for divorce.
- Equitable Distribution: Marital assets and debts are divided according to what the court considers fair, not automatically 50/50.
- Legal Separation Option: Couples can seek judicial separation instead of divorce, allowing rulings on custody, support, and property while remaining legally married.
Divorce Rate in Wyoming in 2024
- Among the Highest Refined Divorce Rates: In 2024, Wyoming reported about 18.7 divorces per 1,000 married women, placing it among the top five highest refined divorce rates in the U.S.
- High Crude Divorce Rate: The 2024 crude divorce rate was about 3.4 per 1,000 residents, well above the national average of roughly 2.5.
- Divorce Numbers Still Declining: Wyoming recorded 1,901 divorces in 2024, down from 1,959 in 2023, continuing a multi-year trend of decreasing total divorce filings.
- Very Short Residency Requirement: Only 60 days of residency are required before filing – one of the shortest requirements in the Western U.S.
- Short Mandatory Waiting Period: A divorce can be finalized 20 days after service, making Wyoming one of the fastest states for uncontested cases.
- No-Fault is the Standard: “Irreconcilable differences” is the simplest and most common ground for divorce.
- Fault Grounds Still Exist: The only recognized fault ground is incurable insanity, requiring confinement to a mental hospital for at least two years.
- Equitable Distribution: Courts divide marital property based on what is fair, not necessarily a 50/50 split.
Divorce Rate in Wyoming in 2023
- Low Crude Divorce Rate: In 2023, Wyoming’s crude divorce rate was about 2.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it at or below the national average.
- Low Refined Divorce Rate: The refined divorce rate was approximately 10.3 divorces per 1,000 married women, well below the national average (≈14.4) and in the bottom quartile nationwide.
- Pure No-Fault State: The only required ground for divorce is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” No allegation of fault is needed.
- Short Mandatory Waiting Period: A final decree can be issued 20 days after filing, one of the shortest waiting periods in the country.
- Short Residency Requirement: A spouse only needs 60 days of Wyoming residency before filing.
- Equitable Distribution of All Property: Courts divide property in a manner they deem fair – and may include all property, even assets brought into the marriage or inheritances, to reach an equitable result.
- Property Division Unrelated to Fault: Judges do not consider marital misconduct when dividing assets or debts.
- Simplified Divorce Procedure: Available for couples with no minor children, minimal property, and at least six months of separation, offering a faster and more streamlined process.