Ohio’s overall divorce rate, measured as the crude divorce rate, is about 2.4 to 2.6 divorces per 1,000 residents. This places the state roughly in the middle compared to other U.S. states. Recent trends show that Ohio’s rate is at or slightly below the national average. The data suggests that marriages in Ohio are neither exceptionally fragile nor unusually stable. Clearly, Ohioans are breaking up just enough to keep statisticians mildly entertained.
The median length of marriage in Ohio is about 21.1 years. This includes both ongoing marriages and those that have ended in divorce. So yes, Ohio couples barely edge out the national average – long enough to wonder if anyone remembers what life was like before Netflix.
| Age Group (Years) | U.S. Divorce Rate per 1,000 Married Women (2021) | Key Ohio/National Trend Observations | Ohio Overall Crude Divorce Rate (Recent Estimates) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–24 | 19.7 | Highest rate — couples marrying before 25 face a significantly higher risk of divorce nationally. | 2.6 per 1,000 total population (2021 estimate) |
| 25–34 | 16.3 | High rate, though declining as younger generations delay marriage. | Median age at divorce (national): ≈ 40.1 (women), 42.6 (men) |
| 35–44 | 14.9 | Many divorces occur after the median duration (8–10 years) for this bracket. | Lowest rate: Geauga County (≈ 8.0% divorced) |
| 45–54 | 14.1 | Rate is stable and lower than younger groups. | Highest county rate: Ross County (≈ 14.3% divorced) |
| 55–64 | 11.8 | Part of the “gray divorce” trend; divorce has risen among older couples since 1990. | |
| 65 and older | 5.5 | Lowest rate overall, but one of the fastest-growing demographics for divorce since 1990. |
Divorce Rate in Ohio in 2025
- Average Crude Divorce Rate. Ohio’s divorce rate hovers near the national average, about 2.6 per 1,000 residents – moderate compared to other states.
- Divorce vs. Dissolution. Ohio distinguishes between Dissolution (uncontested, both spouses agree on all issues) and Divorce (contested, court decides disputed matters).
- Mandatory Waiting Periods
- Dissolution: Final hearing scheduled 30–90 days after filing.
- Divorce: Minimum 42 days after respondent is served; contested cases often take longer.
- Hybrid Grounds. Ohio allows both no-fault (incompatibility, one year separate living) and fault-based grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, gross neglect).
- Equitable Distribution. Marital property is divided fairly, usually 50/50. Judges must justify any unequal split in writing.
- Women Initiate Most Divorces. Women are significantly more likely than men to file for divorce, consistent with national trends.
- Residency Requirement. The petitioner must have lived in Ohio for at least six months before filing.
Divorce Rate in Ohio in 2024
- Crude Divorce Rate. Ohio’s divorce rate is near the national average, around 2.4–2.6 per 1,000 residents.
- Long-Term Decline. The rate has fallen significantly – from 4.7 per 1,000 in 1990 to 2.6 in 2021, continuing into 2024.
- Two Legal Paths
- Dissolution: No-fault, uncontested, requires full agreement on property, support, and custody.
- Divorce: Contested, court decides disputed issues.
- Hybrid Grounds. Ohio allows no-fault (incompatibility, one year separation) or fault-based grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, etc.) for contested divorces.
- Fault Can Affect Financial Outcomes. In contested divorces, a spouse’s conduct may influence alimony and property division.
- Custody Considerations. Custody decisions focus on the child’s best interest; no parent is automatically favored. Proposed legislation (House Bill 508) could make shared parenting the default.
- Postnuptial Agreements. Since 2022, couples can create legally enforceable postnuptial agreements to define property division and support in case of divorce.
- Geographic Variations. County-level divorce rates differ widely: Ross County highest at 14.3%, Geauga County lowest at 8.0%.
Divorce Rate in Ohio in 2023
- Statewide Divorce Rate. Ohio’s crude divorce rate was approximately 2.4 per 1,000 residents, close to the national average.
- County-Level Variation. Some counties show extreme differences. Crawford and Pike counties had the highest rates at 4.7 per 1,000, nearly double the state average.
- Two Legal Paths
- Dissolution of Marriage: Fastest route (30–90 days), requires full agreement on property, custody, and support.
- Divorce: Contested path, filed when spouses cannot agree, can use no-fault or fault grounds.
- Hybrid Grounds State. Ohio recognizes nine fault grounds (e.g., adultery, extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness) plus two no-fault options (incompatibility or one-year separation).
- Fault and Property Division. Fault usually does not affect marital property division, except in cases of financial misconduct or asset dissipation.
- Mandatory Waiting Period (Dissolution). The final hearing is scheduled 30–90 days after filing, making dissolution predictable for cooperative couples.
- Highest Divorced Population by County. Ross County had the highest percentage of divorced adults at 14.3%.