Which Virginia Cities Have the Highest Divorce Rates

Which Virginia Cities Have the Highest Divorce Rates?

It is said that 50% of all American marriages end in divorce. If true, that makes getting married a significant gamble. It is not uncommon for those who are happier in their marriages to think about divorce at some time over the many years they are together. Staying with one person through thick and thin and handling life’s challenges together as a team takes work.

There are any number of factors and reasons that can divide a couple. In the state of Virginia, there is no shortage of people who have chosen to separate and divorce; there are approximately 336,550 of them. Across the country, there are 28,339,199 Americans divorced so far in 2020 and we are only three months into the year.

What are the Most Common Reasons for Divorce?

No single situation or relationship is the same. The circumstances and details of each couple’s decision to split can be straightforward to highly complex. No one goes into a marriage thinking that the marriage is not going to last, and it can be an emotional, stressful, and scary thing when you are looking at a marriage that is over. These are some of the most common reasons behind a dissolved marriage:

  • Infidelity (the number one cause of divorce)
  • Money issues and financial strain
  • Poor communication or lack of it
  • Constant arguing
  • Changing appearance specifically when a partner gains weight
  • Unrealistic expectations of what you want from your spouse and how you want them to be which may not be true to life
  • Limited intimacy
  • Inequality in power, responsibilities, affection
  • Getting married too quickly and not being prepared for it. The most vulnerable group to divorce are those that are in their 20’s who repeatedly admit they weren’t properly prepared for the relationship.
  • Physical and/or emotional abuse
  • Addiction issues
  • Different parenting styles and methods
  • Marriages that never had a foundation in love. When you marry someone for something intangible like money or artificial, their is little strength in your union to work through challenging times.
  • Lying, no syncerity, deceit
  • Losing your self-identity 
  • Long-distance relationships
  • Controlling partners
  • Parents constantly meddling in the relationship
  • Emotional instability, jealousy,poor self-esteem, unhealthy codependency
  • Ongoing conflict that is never resolved

What are the Cities in Virginia With the Highest Divorce Rates?

As explained above, many reasons and combinations of them can lead a couple to divorce. Sometimes, there are regions in which certain risk factors are higher. For instance, if you live in an area with poor economic opportunities, you are at higher risk for having financial issues, which is an added stress on a marriage that has been known to lead to divorce. 

How does Viringia’s divorce rate stack up with the rest of the country? Data taken from the 2014-2018 Community Survey, shows Virginia has a 5% divorce rate. This is pretty good news for prospective life partners as the national average is just under 11%.

In Virginia, the cities with the highest rate of divorce are:

  • Marion with a population of 5,787, the divorce rate is 12% with 555 divorcees. The median income is $33,138.
  • Emporia with a population of 5,381, the divorce rate is just below Marion at 11% and 473 divorcees. The median income is $30,857.
  • Franklin with a population of 8,211, the divorce rate is 11% with 722 divorcees. The median income is $40,375.
  • Vinton with a population of 8,074, the divorce rate is 10% with 645 divorcees. The median income is $48,186.
  • Roanoke with a population of 99,621, the divorce rate is 10% with 7,969 divorcees. The median income is $43,028.
  • Richlands with a population of 5,439, the divorce rate is 10% with 435 divorcees. The median income is $30,149. 
  • Danville with a population of 41,512, the divorce rate is 9% with 2,988 divorcees. The median income is $36,301.
  • Front Royal with a population of 15,240, the divorce rate is 9% with 1,097 divorcees. The median income is $52,717.
  • Galax with a population of 6,638, the divorce rate is 9% with 477 divorcees. The median income is $31,938.
  • Woodstock with a population of 5,192, the divorce rate is 9% with 373 divorcees. The median income is $36,659.

As mentioned above, the location where you live may play a part in the demise of your marriage. In addition to financial concerns, age and education are also factors. There are regions that have more highly educated couples versus other regions where college educations are lacking. This makes sense as the cities with the lowest divorce rate in the state include:

  • Vienna
  • Alexandria
  • Herndon
  • Purcellville
  • Fairfax
  • Falls Church

Each of these cities have a divorce rate that is 1%. The lowest divorce rates are seen in the highly populated region of northern Virginia. This area of the state also holds the some of the highest median income not just in the state, but across the country. In 2018 the median income of Loudon County was $139,915 and was the richest county in the country. That same year, Arlington County came in fifth across the country with a median income of $122,394 and Fairfax County was right behind at number six with a median income of $122,227.

In 2018, Virginia ranked number six on the top 10 list of most educated states. This, along with so many of our counties boasting high median incomes, may be a factor that keeps Virginia’s divorce rate much lower than the national average. 

Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer in Lynchburg, Virginia?

Divorce is not easy. It is expensive, mentally exhausting, and it can be highly stressful. It is likely that you did not plan on divorce or ever believe that divorce was in the cards for you, but whether you want it or not, it is your new reality. You are not alone; many people have found themselves in the same situation. The Lynchburg divorce attorneys at the Straw Law  Firm understand this reality and we have tremendous compassion for our clients who are dealing with divorce.

The knowledgeable and experienced Virginia family law attorneys at the Straw Law Firm will help you smoothly navigate the complex legal system that exists in Virginia so you can move on with your life.

Call us at (434) 595-3581 and speak to one of our resourceful Virginia divorce attorneys today during a free consultation.

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