Across the United States, fewer people are getting married. However, more of the people who marry are staying married.
This trend holds in Texas, according to a recent study.
Texas marriage and divorce rates
About 50% of Texans marry and 10% divorce. Close to 33% of the population stays single. This represents a 14% decrease in marriages since 2011 and a 24% drop in divorces. These numbers, which do not include people whose spouses died, closely match the nationwide divorce and marriage rates.
Reasons for the change
There are many possible explanations for the declining marriage and divorce rates in the United States. Many Americans are waiting until later in life to marry and the cost of divorce has gone up. Income also seems to play a role, with marriage rates being the highest for higher earners, though the study found that women who earn between $75,000 and $100,000 per year are also more likely to divorce and lower-income women are more likely to marry than lower-income men.
Potential incentives to marry
Texas House Bill 2889 proposes providing property tax relief to married couples who have children. However, the proposal excludes divorced parents and parents in same-sex marriages. If the bill passes, qualifying couples with four children could receive a 40% reduction in their property taxes, while couples with 10 or more children may be able to get a 100% discount.
Policymakers disagree about whether the proposed legislation would result in more Texans getting and staying married, but if the bill passes, similar legislation could follow in other states.
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