Overall Divorce Rate
- ~3.3 divorces per 1,000 people (recent estimate)
- Other estimates range from 2.9 to 3.4 per 1,000 residents depending on the year and source
👉 This is higher than the U.S. average (~2.4 per 1,000)
National Ranking
- Tennessee typically ranks among the top 10–15 states for divorce rates
- About 19 divorces per 1,000 married people, placing it roughly top 10 nationally
Trends Over Time
- Divorce rates have declined significantly:
- 2000: ~5.9 per 1,000
- 2019: ~3.5 per 1,000
- 2021–2024: ~3.3 per 1,000
Even with the decline, Tennessee still remains above the national average.
Total Divorces (Example Year)
- About 22,000–24,000 divorces annually in recent years
Demographic Insights
- Highest divorce rates occur among:
- Ages 25–39 (majority of divorces)
- “Gray divorce” (age 50+) is increasing
- Median marriage length: ~20 years
County-Level Variation
Divorce rates vary widely across the state:
- High counties: up to ~9.9 per 1,000
- Low counties: around ~2.0 per 1,000
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee has a consistently higher-than-average divorce rate
- Rates are declining over time, but still elevated compared to most states
- There is significant variation by age and location
The Barnett Firm helps people and families with divorce and family law in Knoxville, TN. If you need help – contact our divorce attorneys today for a consultation.