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Americans are getting married later in life than they did half a century ago

In 2025, Americans reached median first-marriage ages of 28.4 for women and 30.8 for men, marking a significant rise over the past 50 years when median ages were 21.1 and 23.5 respectively.
Gleason said marriage shifted from a "cornerstone of adulthood" to a "capstone," as couples now pursue independence before wedding. The Supreme Court made birth control accessible to married couples in 1965 and everyone by 1972, reducing social stigma around premarital relationships.
Across a 48-year span, divorce data shows median ages rising to 41.9 for women and 43.3 for men from 27.9 and 30.1 respectively. Men consistently tend to be one to two years older than women for both marriage and divorce.
Reflecting changing traditions, seven couples recently utilized the Anne Arundel County Public Library and the county clerk for vows, with the venue expanding to three locations throughout the county from one library last year.
Anne Arundel officials intend to establish library ceremonies as an ongoing tradition, offering couples a unique opportunity for matrimony as the program continues expanding across the county.

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