In recently published data for the year 2015 (the most recent year for which data is available) there were 3,338 divorces in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina which is down significantly from 2013 and 2014 and lowest total in almost 20 years.
The 3,338 divorces in 2015 is a sharp reduction from the 4,454 divorces in 2014 and 4,884 in 2013. This data was not part of any long-term study as to the reasons for a reduction in divorce in Mecklenburg County but other studies have shown that the nationwide divorce rate, which peaked in the mid-2000’s, has declined over the last decade. Many postulate that the economy and Great Recession caused many to postpone divorce or to not divorce at all due to financial constraints.
Conversely, while the number of divorces dramatically decreased, the number of marriages in Mecklenburg County have increased during the same period with 5,578 in 2013, 6,621 in 2014, and 7,020 in 2015. Recent census data shows Mecklenburg County exceeded 1 million residents in 2014, with many of those people in the 25-54 age demographic most likely to marry which may explain the increased number of marriages.
Given the population increases in Mecklenburg County, it is surprising that the number of divorces nevertheless fell so dramatically, by more than 30%, from 2013 to 2015 which may speak to the larger nationwide trend of the divorce rate dropping as trends show people wait until they are older to marry and cohabitate more often before marriage.
North Carolina is a “no-fault” divorce state, in which any married couple can obtain a Judgment of Divorce so long as they have lived continuously separate and apart from one another for at least one year and one party has been a resident of North Carolina for at least 6 months before they file for divorce.
To speak with someone about filing for Divorce and the considerations that go into that decision, please call us at (704) 810-1400 to schedule a consultation.