Arkansas has a divorce rate of about 3.5 divorces per 1,000 residents.This level places the state among the highest divorce rates in the country.
Its rate is significantly above the national average, reflecting a consistently elevated trend. Overall, Arkansas remains one of the top-ranking states for divorce frequency. But hey, at least they’re winning something, right?
In Arkansas, marriages that end in divorce generally last less than the national average, though exact recent figures are limited. Available data and demographic trends suggest the duration is shorter than most U.S. states. Because apparently in Arkansas, tying the knot comes with an early expiration date.
| Age Group | Projected Divorce Rate (Per 1,000 Married Women) | Key Trend in Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 15–24 | 17.8+ | Highest Risk: Marrying at a young age is statistically associated with the highest risk of divorce, a trend exacerbated by Arkansas’s low median marriage age. |
| Ages 25–34 | 17.2+ | High Risk: Continues to be a period of very high marital dissolution, often driven by financial and career pressures. |
| Ages 35–44 | 14.5 | Above Average: The rate begins to decrease as couples gain stability, but is still a common period for divorce. |
| Ages 45–54 | 13.5 | Moderate Rate: Represents divorces in middle age, often concerning established families and complex assets. |
| Ages 55–64 | 11.4 | Low Rate: Divorce stabilizes, though the rate has increased nationally (“gray divorce”). |
| Ages 65 and Older | 5.6 | Lowest Risk: The lowest risk group for divorce, representing marriages that have endured long-term. |
Divorce Rate in Arkansas in 2025
- Consistently High Divorce Ranking. Arkansas regularly places among the top three states for divorce, with refined divorce rates well above the national average, indicating long-standing marital instability.
- High Marriage Rate Increases Divorce Volume. The state’s relatively high marriage rate naturally produces more couples at risk of divorce, contributing to its elevated totals. Because nothing boosts your divorce statistics like lots of people rushing to say “I do.”
- Early Marriages Are Common. Many couples marry younger than the national average, and early-20s marriages statistically carry a much higher risk of divorce.
- 18-Month Separation Required for No-Fault. Arkansas requires spouses to live apart for 18 continuous months before filing a no-fault divorce -far longer than most states. Nothing says “let’s end this quickly” like a mandatory year and a half of waiting.
- Fault-Based Divorce Still Actively Used. Without meeting the separation requirement, one spouse must prove fault, such as adultery, habitual drunkenness, cruel treatment, or general indignities.
- Equitable Distribution of Property. Marital assets are divided fairly – not necessarily equally – based on what the court deems just. Because nothing feels fairer than letting a judge decide who keeps what after everything else has fallen apart.
- Multiple Waiting Periods. Arkansas requires 60 days of residency before filing, a three-month wait before the decree becomes final, and a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period after filing.
Divorce Rate in Arkansas in 2024
- Among the Highest Divorce Rates Nationally. Arkansas consistently ranks in the top five for divorce, with refined rates reported as high as 11.9 per 1,000 married women and crude rates around 3.0–3.6 per 1,000 residents, well above the national average of 2.5.
- Strong Link to Low Income. Lower median household income and widespread financial stress are major contributors to the state’s high divorce rate. Because nothing strengthens a marriage like arguing about money you don’t have.
- Younger-Than-Average Marriages. Couples in Arkansas often marry earlier than the national norm, and marriages formed under age 25 are statistically far more likely to end in divorce.
- High Concentration in Metro Areas. Areas like the Fort Smith AR-OK metro region report some of the highest percentages of divorced adults, reflecting an urban concentration of divorce cases. City life: where the traffic is bad, the rent is high, and apparently the marriages are fragile.
- Mandatory 18-Month Separation for No-Fault. Arkansas requires spouses to live apart for 18 continuous months before a no-fault divorce can be granted, though filing can occur earlier.
- Fault Grounds as an Alternative. Couples can avoid the long separation period by proving one of four fault grounds (e.g., adultery or general indignities), though most still use the no-fault route. Nothing says “romance is dead” like arguing over which official fault you’re willing to admit to.
- Equitable Distribution of Property. Marital property is divided according to what the court considers fair, rather than an automatic 50/50 split.
Divorce Rate in Arkansas in 2023
- Highest Refined Divorce Rate in the Nation. 2023 reports (reflecting 2022 data) show Arkansas leading the country with about 23.27 divorces per 1,000 married women, far above the national average.
- High Crude Divorce Rate. Arkansas’ crude divorce rate is around 3.0 per 1,000 residents, well above the national 2.4, placing it in the top tier of states. Because when Arkansas commits to something, it apparently commits all the way to the courthouse.
- Socioeconomic Pressures Drive Divorce. Low median household income and significant financial strain are major contributors to the state’s elevated divorce numbers.
- Lengthy 18-Month Separation for No-Fault. A no-fault divorce requires spouses to live apart for 18 uninterrupted months, one of the longest mandated separation periods in the country. Nothing says “hurry up and break up” like being forced to wait a year and a half.
- Frequent Use of Fault Grounds. Because the no-fault separation requirement is so long, many couples file under one of Arkansas’ eight fault grounds – such as adultery or cruel treatment – to bypass the wait.
- 30-Day Minimum for Finalizing Even Fast Cases. Even uncontested fault-based divorces require a minimum 30-day waiting period before a judge can issue the final decree. The absolute fastest you can break up is “please hold for 30 days.”
- Residency Requirement. A filer must live in Arkansas for 60 days before filing and for three months before the final judgment can be granted.
- Covenant Marriage Option. Arkansas also recognizes Covenant Marriage, which requires counseling and limits divorce to strict, fault-based grounds such as adultery or felony conviction.