Divorce Rate in Maryland: Trends, Statistics & Key Insights

June 13, 2025 - By: Stuart H. Grozbean

📊 1. Circuit Court Filings: Absolute Divorce Cases

According to the Maryland Judiciary’s Statistical Abstracts (fiscal years run July–June):

  • FY 2017: 31,764 divorce/nullity cases filed

  • FY 2018: 31,593

  • FY 2019: 32,923

  • FY 2020: 31,593

  • FY 2021: 30,522

  • FY 2022: 32,923 filings, with 31,486 terminations.

📝 Observation: Maryland saw a moderate dip around FY2021—likely pandemic-related—before rebounding close to its 2019 annual filings.

📉 2. Crude Divorce Rate: Per Capita Perspective

The CDC’s National Vital Statistics provide per‑1,000 population divorce rates:

  • 2019: 2.6 divorces per 1,000 residents

  • 2022: 2.4 per 1,000

📌 Trend Summary: A gradual decline from 2019 to 2022, reflecting fewer divorces per capita amid broader demographic patterns.

🔍 3. Longer-Term Trends & Insights

  • Divorce filings peaked in 2019 with 32,923 cases—a 50-year low for Maryland .

  • After the COVID-19 dip in FY2021, filings rebounded to 32,923 in FY2022 .

  • The CDC’s shift from 2.6 (2019) to 2.4 (2022) per 1,000 confirms a steady, slight decline in divorce rates.

🧭 4. Why Are Rates Declining?

Key contributing factors include:

  1. Later Marriages & Greater Selectivity

    • Marylanders are waiting longer to marry, leading to more stable unions and fewer divorces.

  2. Socioeconomic Stability

    • High levels of education and household income in Maryland correlate with lower divorce risk.

  3. Pandemic Effects

    • An anomalous drop in FY2021 likely reflects delayed divorces during COVID, followed by a post-pandemic bounce.

  4. Legal Reforms

    • The 2024 introduction of a 6‑month separation “no‑fault” ground may influence filing patterns going forward.

📈 5. State vs. National Comparison

Year                    MD Rate per 1,000          U.S. Rate per 1,000

2019                       2.6                                             ~2.9

2020-2021            2.6                                             ~2.3-2.6

2022                       2.4                                              2.3

Takeaways

  • Marital dissolutions in Maryland hovered around 32,000–33,000 annually (2019–2022), with a pandemic dip in FY2021.

  • The per‑capita divorce rate declined from 2.6 to 2.4 per 1,000 (2019–2022).

  • Maryland aligns with national patterns: divorces are decreasing per capita, yet filings remain relatively stable.

  • Legal changes such as 6-month separation no-fault divorce could impact future trends—worth monitoring.

Final Thought

Maryland’s divorce landscape shows a steady decrease in divorce rates per person, despite relatively stable absolute filings. Demographic shifts, socioeconomic factors, and legal reforms all play a role. For deeper insights, future posts could explore refined divorce rates, age-specific trends (like “gray divorce”), or a closer look at county-level data. Just say the word!

If you’re facing the challenges of separation or divorce in Maryland, our experienced Maryland divorce lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal process with clarity and compassion. We provide personalized guidance on child custody, alimony, property division, and more—ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward a fair and secure future.

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