How Modern Marriage Trends Are Shifting in the United States
These shifts reflect broader socioeconomic changes in how Americans approach partnership and financial stability.
Why are Americans marrying later in life?
The median age for first marriages has climbed significantly over the last three decades. According to U.S. Census Bureau historical marital status tables, the median age at first marriage was 26 for men and 24 for women in 1990. By 2024, those figures rose to 30 for men and approximately 29 for women.
Pew Research Center found that when asked about the “best age” to get married, about half of surveyed Americans responded that there is no best age.
How has the “breadwinner” dynamic changed?
Economic roles within opposite-sex marriages have shifted as more women outearn their spouses. A Pew Research Center analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS) shows that in 1990, 10% of marriages with opposite-sex partners had a wife who earned significantly more than her husband. By 2025, that share increased to 16%.
This trend highlights the evolving nature of household income distribution. The Pew analysis specifically focused on different-sex married couples between the ages of 25 and 64 where at least one spouse reported earnings in the previous calendar year.
Are more people marrying for the first time?
A higher percentage of new marriages now consist of two people who have never been married before. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) indicates that in 1990, 55% of new couples had both spouses in their first marriage. By 2024, this figure rose to 68%.
Comparison of U.S. Marriage Data: 1990 vs. 2024
| Metric | 1990 Data | 2024/2025 Data |
|---|---|---|
| Median Age (Men) | 26 | 30 |
| Median Age (Women) | 24 | 29 |
| Wife as Main Breadwinner | 10% | 16% |
| Both Spouses First Marriage | 55% | 68% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What sources provide this marriage data?
The data is compiled from several authoritative bodies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the American Community Survey. Pew Research Center utilizes IPUMS from the University of Minnesota to standardize these variables for long-term analysis.
Does the “breadwinner” trend apply to all income levels?
However, the Pew Research Center notes that very few married couples have both spouses earning well over $1 million a year.