Who Remarries After Divorce? Two-Thirds of Divorced Americans Remarry—But Men Do It 81% More Often Than Women
Two-thirds of divorced Americans eventually remarry, with men slightly more likely than women to tie the knot again—68% versus 64%. People ages 45-64 show the highest remarriage rates at 63-67%, while Black Americans are significantly less likely to remarry than other racial groups. In 2025, about 40% of new marriages include at least one previously married partner.
The decision to remarry depends heavily on age at divorce, gender, race, education, income, and whether you have children—making some groups far more likely to remarry than others.
Men Remarry More Often Than Women
The remarriage rate for men is 35.1 per 1,000 eligible men versus 19.4 per 1,000 for women, making men nearly twice as likely to remarry after divorce. This gender gap persists across age groups, though it has narrowed over recent decades.
In 2013, 64% of eligible men had remarried compared with 52% of women. The gap stems partly from desire—29% of eligible men want to remarry and 36% are unsure, while only 15% of previously married women want to remarry and 54% say they do not want to marry again.
Among adults ages 25-54, divorced or widowed women are now about as likely as men to have remarried, but among those 55 and older, the gender gap remains substantial.
Age 45-64: The Peak Years for Remarriage
Remarriage likelihood increases with age until the mid-60s, then declines sharply. Here’s the breakdown by age group:
- 18-24: 29% remarry
- 25-34: 43% remarry
- 35-44: 57% remarry
- 45-54: 63% remarry
- 55-64: 67% remarry (highest rate)
- 65+: 50% remarry
The share of previously married adults ages 18-24 who remarried dropped from 72% in 1960 to just 42% in 2013. Younger divorced adults increasingly choose cohabitation over remarriage, reflecting changing social norms.
Meanwhile, remarriage among adults 55 and older has gone in the opposite direction, with 67% of those ages 55-64 remarrying in 2013 compared to 55% in 1960.
Race and Ethnicity Shape Remarriage Patterns
Black Americans who have divorced are less likely than those in other racial and ethnic groups to have remarried. Whites are most likely to have married again, and this likelihood has increased somewhat in recent decades, while previously married Hispanic, Black, and Asian adults remain less likely to remarry.
White men have the highest rate of second and third marriages, while Asian men and women have the lowest rate of remarriages.
The disparities reflect complex socioeconomic and cultural factors, including different attitudes toward marriage, economic stability, and community norms around remarriage.
Related Article: Divorcing With Kids? Your First 7 Steps to Protect Custody Rights and Your Child’s Future
Education and Income: Higher Levels Mean Higher Remarriage Rates
Remarriage rates are higher among individuals with higher educational attainment, with about 65% of college-educated individuals remarrying after divorce. College graduates not only remarry more often—they also experience lower divorce rates in second marriages.
Socioeconomic status impacts remarriage probabilities, with individuals in higher income brackets about 1.5 times more likely to remarry. Financial stability makes remarriage more attractive and feasible, particularly when managing child support, maintaining separate households, or recovering from divorce-related financial setbacks.
Newlyweds with just a high school diploma are almost twice as likely as those with a bachelor’s degree to be entering their third marriage—9% versus 5%.
Children Complicate Remarriage Decisions
Having children from a previous marriage affects remarriage likelihood, though patterns differ by gender. Among Americans who have divorced and are currently remarried, 46% have had a child with their new spouse, and 9% of men and 4% of women have a stepchild living with them.
About 45% of remarriages involving stepchildren see ongoing conflict related to custody arrangements. Blending families creates unique challenges around parenting styles, discipline, financial obligations, and loyalty conflicts that can strain new marriages.
Despite these complications, the presence of children from a previous marriage decreases the likelihood of divorce by approximately 20% in some studies, suggesting children can also stabilize second marriages.
Timing: Most Remarry Within 5 Years
About 80% of remarriages are initiated within 5 years of divorce. The median time to remarriage is approximately 2.5 years, though this varies significantly by age, gender, and individual circumstances.
About 35% of remarried couples get legally remarried on an average of 2.5 years after divorce, indicating many people move relatively quickly into new committed relationships after their first marriage ends.
Cohabitation: The Alternative to Remarriage
In 2023, 15% of divorced women and 19% of divorced men lived with an unmarried partner. Approximately 40% of remarriages involve cohabitation before marriage.
The rise in cohabitation partly explains declining remarriage rates. U.S. census data show that 8% of adults currently live with a partner outside of marriage, and 58% of all adults and 42% of practicing Christians now say it’s “wise” to live with someone before marriage.
Many divorced individuals, particularly women over 55, prefer the flexibility of cohabitation over the legal and financial complications of remarriage.
Second Marriages Face Higher Divorce Rates
Statistical projections indicate that 60-67% of second marriages end in divorce, significantly higher than the 40-50% divorce rate for first marriages. Third marriages fare even worse, with 74% ending in divorce.
Younger individuals entering second marriages between ages 25-34 face the highest divorce rates at 72%, with marriages lasting an average of only 6.8 years. The middle-age demographic of 35-44 shows a 65% divorce rate with slightly longer average marriage durations of 8.1 years.
Why do second marriages fail more often? Couples bring unresolved issues from first marriages, face complications from blended families, manage financial obligations to ex-spouses and children, and often rush into remarriage without fully processing their first divorce.
Remarriage Rates Are Declining Overall
In recent decades, the remarriage rate has plummeted, falling from 50 per 1,000 previously married adults in 1990 to 24.1 per 1,000 by 2022. The remarriage rate has decreased overall since 2008, dropping from 48.9 marriages per 1,000 for previously married males in 2008 to 32.0 per 1,000 in 2021, and from 25.2 per 1,000 for females to 17.2 per 1,000.
The decline is especially pronounced among younger age groups, with the remarriage rate for 20-24-year-olds dropping by more than 50% from 1990 to 2022.
The decreasing remarriage rate reflects changing social norms, increased acceptance of cohabitation, growing economic independence of women, and shifting attitudes about the necessity of marriage for happiness or security.
Geographic Patterns: Where People Remarry
Northeastern states have the lowest remarriage rates for both men and women, with Rhode Island and Delaware on the list of states with the lowest remarriage rates for both genders.
The highest rates of remarriage for both men and women are mostly dispersed across the West and Midwest, with Maine taking the lead in U.S. remarriages for women and Idaho having the highest remarriage rate for men.
Regional variations reflect differences in cultural attitudes, religious influence, economic conditions, and demographic composition across states.
Financial Implications of Remarriage
According to a U.S. Census report, 28% of children living with a divorced parent live below the poverty line, significantly higher than the overall poverty rate for children at 19%, and 27% of divorced women were reported to be living below the poverty line.
Remarriage often improves financial circumstances. Remarried individuals report higher levels of happiness than those who remain single after divorce, with 55% expressing high life satisfaction.
However, financial complications can arise from supporting children from previous marriages, maintaining relationships with ex-spouses, managing inheritances, and protecting assets accumulated before the new marriage. Many remarrying couples use prenuptial agreements to address these concerns.
Legal Considerations for Remarriage
Remarriage triggers several legal implications under U.S. family law:
Alimony typically ends when the recipient remarries. Most state laws terminate spousal support obligations upon remarriage, though cohabitation may not have the same effect.
Social Security benefits may be affected. Divorced individuals married at least 10 years can claim benefits based on an ex-spouse’s record, but remarriage before age 60 terminates this right.
Estate planning requires updates. Remarriage can affect inheritance rights, beneficiary designations, and estate distribution. Without proper planning, new spouses may inadvertently disinherit children from previous marriages.
Child custody and support generally remain unchanged by a parent’s remarriage, though a new spouse’s income may be considered in modification proceedings in some states.
Why Some Groups Remarry More Often
The demographic patterns reveal several factors that increase remarriage likelihood:
Economic pressure pushes divorced individuals with lower incomes toward remarriage for financial stability.
Traditional gender roles make men more comfortable with marriage and more motivated to remarry for domestic support and companionship.
Cultural and religious values in white and Hispanic communities may emphasize marriage more than in Black or Asian communities.
Age and life stage matter significantly—people in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s have the motivation to remarry (desire for companionship, financial benefits) without the complications that discourage older adults (health concerns, adult children’s reactions, estate planning).
Social networks influence remarriage. People with friends who have successfully remarried are more likely to consider it themselves.
Psychological Factors Affecting Remarriage
People may be eager to remarry because they do not see themselves as responsible for the previous marriage ending and believe their partner’s behaviors caused the divorce, minimizing the influence of their own actions. This optimism can be both beneficial—providing hope for a better relationship—and problematic if it prevents learning from past mistakes.
People who have divorced and remarried multiple times tend to be relatively impulsive and nonconformist, suggesting personality traits influence remarriage patterns.
Health Benefits of Remarriage
A 2019 study from Harvard found that married men experience a reduced mortality rate, better heart health, and improved healing from cancer and other chronic diseases, providing health-related motivation for men to remarry.
Although remarried individuals tend to have better health than individuals who do not repartner, they still generally have worse health than individuals who have remained continuously married.
Third Marriages and Beyond
Among newly married adults in 2013, 29% had been married at least once before, and 8% had been married two or more times previously. Fully 33% of those ages 55 and older entering new marriages fall into the third-marriage category, as do 25% of those ages 45-54.
In 2013, 8% of people who married had been married at least twice, with older age brackets making up the bulk of this number.
Frequently Asked Questions About Remarriage After Divorce
Who is most likely to remarry after divorce?
Men, people ages 45-64, white Americans, college-educated individuals, and those with higher incomes are most likely to remarry after divorce.
What percentage of divorced people remarry?
About 64-68% of divorced Americans eventually remarry, though rates have been declining in recent decades.
Do men or women remarry more often?
Men remarry more often, with 68% of divorced men remarrying compared to 64% of divorced women overall. The gap is larger when measured per 1,000 eligible individuals—35.1 for men versus 19.4 for women.
At what age are people most likely to remarry?
People ages 55-64 have the highest remarriage rate at 67%, followed by ages 45-54 at 63%.
Do second marriages last longer than first marriages?
No, second marriages have higher divorce rates (60-67%) than first marriages (40-50%) and typically last about 8 years.
How long after divorce do most people remarry?
About 80% of remarriages occur within 5 years of divorce, with the average being approximately 2.5 years.
Does education affect remarriage likelihood?
Yes, college-educated individuals are significantly more likely to remarry, with about 65% remarrying after divorce compared to lower rates for those with less education.
How does race affect remarriage rates?
White Americans have the highest remarriage rates, while Black Americans have the lowest. Asian Americans also show relatively low remarriage rates.
Do children affect remarriage likelihood?
Yes, having children complicates remarriage decisions. About 45% of remarriages involving stepchildren experience ongoing custody-related conflicts, though children can also stabilize some second marriages.
Why are remarriage rates declining?
Remarriage rates have dropped due to increased acceptance of cohabitation, changing social norms, greater economic independence of women, and people marrying later in life the first time around.
Key Takeaways: Who Remarries After Divorce
Men remarry more often than women across all age groups, with the gender gap most pronounced among older adults. People in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s show the highest remarriage rates, while younger divorced adults increasingly choose cohabitation over remarriage.
White Americans remarry at significantly higher rates than Black or Asian Americans. College education, higher income, and economic stability all increase remarriage likelihood by 50% or more.
About two-thirds of divorced Americans eventually remarry, but second marriages face 60-67% divorce rates—higher than first marriages. Despite these risks, remarried individuals report higher life satisfaction than those who remain single after divorce.
Geographic location, cultural values, religious beliefs, social networks, and individual psychological factors all shape whether divorced individuals choose to remarry. The decision increasingly reflects personal choice rather than social expectation, with cohabitation emerging as a popular alternative to formal remarriage.
This article provides general information about remarriage statistics and demographic trends and should not be considered legal or relationship advice. For questions about your specific situation, consult with a family law attorney or relationship counselor.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a former family law attorney with over a decade of courtroom and mediation experience. She has represented clients in divorce, custody cases, adoption, Alimony, and domestic violence cases across multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
At All About Lawyer, Sarah now uses her deep legal background to create easy-to-understand guides that help families navigate the legal system with clarity and confidence.
Every article is based on her real-world legal experience and reviewed to reflect current laws.
Read more about Sarah