This Is the Worst City for Marriage

By Douglas A. McIntyre Published Jun 12, 7:00PM EDT

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This Is the Worst City for Marriage — © ASphotowed / Getty Images

CDC data shows that there were 1,676,911 marriages in 2020. That is the good news. The bad news is that divorces hit 630,505 (with 45 states and the District of Columbia reporting). Presumably most of these marriages started out blissfully, and the weddings were a day of joy. What happened thereafter varies widely from couple to couple. (See the cost of getting married in America’s largest cities.)

There is a case to be made that some locations in America are better places to get – and stay – married than others. And the worst city in the country in both regards is Montgomery, Alabama.

Marriage has changed as an institution in America. Fewer people are married and have children in the same household than in the past. According to Pew, the U.S. has the highest percentage of single parent households of any country in the world (out of 130). Some 23% of children under 18 live with one adult, or no adult at all. When the Census celebrated “National Single Parent Day” on March 22, it reported that the number of “mother only” or “father only” families had soared since 1950. (These are the states where couples have been married the longest.)

To compile a list of the worst cities in which to get (and stay) married, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a ranking formulated by LawnStarter, a lawn care start-up that frequently conducts research into city and state amenities.

The ranking considers 190 of the largest U.S. cities by population, and is based on nine differently weighted metrics in four categories – marriage stability (judged by marriage and divorce or separation rates), marriage potential (including percentage of never-married young population), marriage intervention (number of relationship therapists per 10,000 married households), and wedding-friendliness (including indoor and outdoor wedding suitability). LawnStarter sourced their data from Lawn Love, Psychology Today, Yelp, Zola, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Click here to see the worst cities for marriage

According to LawnStarter, 30 of the 50 worst cities for marriages are in the South (including Texas). Only four are in Western states, with the balance found in the Northeast and Middle West.

50. New Orleans, LA
> Overall score: 39.35 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 187 — #4 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 155 — #36 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 58 — #133 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 3 — #188 out of 190

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49. Knoxville, TN
> Overall score: 39.30 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 177 — #14 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 61 — #130 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 41 — #150 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 90 — #101 out of 190

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48. Joliet, IL
> Overall score: 39.23 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 116 — #75 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 153 — #38 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 151 — #40 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 124 — #67 out of 190

47. Lubbock, TX
> Overall score: 39.16 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 107 — #84 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 140 — #51 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 142 — #49 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 139 — #52 out of 190

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46. Brownsville, TX
> Overall score: 39.00 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 85 — #106 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 70 — #121 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 189 — #2 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 171 — #20 out of 190

45. Murfreesboro, TN
> Overall score: 38.95 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 102 — #89 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 156 — #35 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 105 — #86 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 161 — #30 out of 190

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44. Tucson, AZ
> Overall score: 38.92 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 168 — #23 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 54 — #137 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 103 — #88 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 89 — #102 out of 190

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43. Sioux Falls, SD
> Overall score: 38.54 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 95 — #96 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 112 — #79 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 167 — #23 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 172 — #19 out of 190

42. Laredo, TX
> Overall score: 38.33 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 55 — #136 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 176 — #15 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 190 — #1 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 175 — #15 out of 190

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41. Chattanooga, TN
> Overall score: 38.23 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 175 — #16 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 33 — #158 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 75 — #116 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 95 — #96 out of 190

40. Rockford, IL
> Overall score: 38.08 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 158 — #33 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 142 — #49 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 102 — #89 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 94 — #97 out of 190

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39. Jackson, MS
> Overall score: 38.07 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 135 — #56 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 58 — #133 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 72 — #119 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 186 — #5 out of 190

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38. Cleveland, OH
> Overall score: 37.84 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 180 — #11 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 110 — #81 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 81 — #110 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 35 — #156 out of 190

37. Mesquite, TX
> Overall score: 37.75 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 143 — #48 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 57 — #134 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 175 — #16 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 129 — #62 out of 190

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36. Newport News, VA
> Overall score: 37.73 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 138 — #53 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 161 — #30 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 96 — #95 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 146 — #45 out of 190

35. Macon, GA
> Overall score: 37.58 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 133 — #58 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 168 — #23 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 111 — #80 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 138 — #53 out of 190

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34. Arlington, TX
> Overall score: 37.54 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 142 — #49 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 72 — #119 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 113 — #78 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 162 — #29 out of 190

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33. Columbus, GA
> Overall score: 37.48 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 122 — #69 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 113 — #78 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 166 — #25 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 159 — #32 out of 190

32. Winston-Salem, NC
> Overall score: 37.32 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 137 — #54 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 148 — #43 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 69 — #122 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 178 — #12 out of 190

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31. Springfield, MA
> Overall score: 37.28 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 128 — #63 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 169 — #22 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 119 — #72 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 151 — #40 out of 190

30. Corpus Christi, TX
> Overall score: 37.10 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 132 — #59 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 121 — #70 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 186 — #5 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 145 — #46 out of 190

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29. Bridgeport, CT
> Overall score: 36.82 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 157 — #34 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 166 — #25 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 79 — #112 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 123 — #68 out of 190

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28. Aurora, IL
> Overall score: 36.77 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 150 — #41 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 181 — #10 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 132 — #59 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 92 — #99 out of 190

27. Memphis, TN
> Overall score: 36.46 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 119 — #72 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 127 — #64 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 156 — #35 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 183 — #8 out of 190

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26. Tallahassee, FL
> Overall score: 36.37 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 148 — #43 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 136 — #55 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 67 — #124 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 175 — #15 out of 190

25. Detroit, MI
> Overall score: 36.08 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 170 — #21 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 55 — #136 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 98 — #93 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 142 — #48 out of 190

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24. Mobile, AL
> Overall score: 35.93 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 131 — #60 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 138 — #53 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 121 — #70 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 188 — #3 out of 190

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23. Wichita, KS
> Overall score: 35.04 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 165 — #26 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 123 — #68 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 114 — #77 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 141 — #50 out of 190

22. Pembroke Pines, FL
> Overall score: 34.63 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 154 — #37 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 189 — #2 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 93 — #98 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 99 — #92 out of 190

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21. Jacksonville, FL
> Overall score: 34.28 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 159 — #32 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 66 — #125 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 147 — #44 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 178 — #12 out of 190

20. Tulsa, OK
> Overall score: 34.20 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 167 — #24 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 96 — #95 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 122 — #69 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 164 — #27 out of 190

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19. Greensboro, NC
> Overall score: 34.00 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 173 — #18 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 143 — #48 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 68 — #123 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 153 — #38 out of 190

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18. Spokane, WA
> Overall score: 33.60 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 183 — #8 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 63 — #128 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 63 — #128 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 152 — #39 out of 190

17. Des Moines, IA
> Overall score: 33.36 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 178 — #13 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 185 — #6 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 82 — #109 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 86 — #105 out of 190

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16. Glendale, AZ
> Overall score: 33.35 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 185 — #6 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 83 — #108 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 127 — #64 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 103 — #88 out of 190

15. Akron, OH
> Overall score: 33.23 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 174 — #17 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 102 — #89 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 106 — #85 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 156 — #35 out of 190

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14. McAllen, TX
> Overall score: 33.15 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 140 — #51 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 177 — #14 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 163 — #28 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 180 — #11 out of 190

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13. Worcester, MA
> Overall score: 32.97 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 172 — #19 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 158 — #33 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 78 — #113 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 158 — #33 out of 190

12. OK City, OK
> Overall score: 32.81 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 169 — #22 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 163 — #28 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 117 — #74 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 165 — #26 out of 190

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11. Little Rock, AR
> Overall score: 32.30 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 179 — #12 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 62 — #129 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 71 — #120 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 187 — #4 out of 190

10. North Las Vegas, NV
> Overall score: 32.20 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 184 — #7 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 180 — #11 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 180 — #11 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 41 — #150 out of 190

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9. Toledo, OH
> Overall score: 31.65 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 181 — #10 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 116 — #75 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 126 — #65 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 140 — #51 out of 190

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8. Hialeah, FL
> Overall score: 31.59 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 190 — #1 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 17 — #174 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 174 — #17 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 53 — #138 out of 190

7. Killeen, TX
> Overall score: 31.56 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 139 — #52 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 186 — #5 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 128 — #63 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 190 — #1 out of 190

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6. El Paso, TX
> Overall score: 31.14 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 166 — #25 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 174 — #17 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 187 — #4 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 160 — #31 out of 190

5. Fayetteville, NC
> Overall score: 30.85 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 176 — #15 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 167 — #24 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 83 — #108 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 181 — #10 out of 190

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4. San Antonio, TX
> Overall score: 30.77 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 182 — #9 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 159 — #32 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 145 — #46 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 136 — #55 out of 190

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3. Albuquerque, NM
> Overall score: 29.64 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 188 — #3 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 147 — #44 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 130 — #61 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 122 — #69 out of 190

2. Augusta, GA
> Overall score: 27.08 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 186 — #5 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 146 — #45 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 100 — #91 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 189 — #2 out of 190

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1. Montgomery, AL
> Overall score: 25.21 out of 100
> Marriage stability score: 189 — #2 out of 190
> Marriage potential score: 108 — #83 out of 190
> Marriage intervention score: 161 — #30 out of 190
> Wedding friendliness score: 182 — #9 out of 190

About the Author Douglas A. McIntyre →

Douglas A. McIntyre is the co-founder, chief executive officer and editor in chief of 24/7 Wall St. and 24/7 Tempo. He has held these jobs since 2006.

McIntyre has written thousands of articles for 24/7 Wall St. He is an expert on corporate finance, the automotive industry, media companies and international finance. He has edited articles on national demographics, sports, personal income and travel.

His work has been quoted or mentioned in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Time, The New Yorker, HuffPost USA Today, Business Insider, Yahoo, AOL, MarketWatch, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Guardian and many other major publications. McIntyre has been a guest on CNBC, the BBC and television and radio stations across the country.

A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, McIntyre also was president of The Harvard Advocate. Founded in 1866, the Advocate is the oldest college publication in the United States.

TheStreet.com, Comps.com and Edgar Online are some of the public companies for which McIntyre served on the board of directors. He was a Vicinity Corporation board member when the company was sold to Microsoft in 2002. He served on the audit committees of some of these companies.

McIntyre has been the CEO of FutureSource, a provider of trading terminals and news to commodities and futures traders. He was president of Switchboard, the online phone directory company. He served as chairman and CEO of On2 Technologies, the video compression company that provided video compression software for Adobe’s Flash. Google bought On2 in 2009.