-
The number of marriages in New Jersey in 2002 was down 5.6 percent from
2001, while the number of divorces increased 2.4 percent (Table
MD1 and Figure MD1).
-
The median ages
of all brides and grooms, including first-time brides and grooms,
increased slightly from 2001.
First-time brides and grooms were nearly four years older
than 20 years ago and the median age of all brides and grooms
has risen more than four years since 1982 (Table MD2 and Figure MD2). The percentage of first-time brides and grooms
who were under 20 years of age decreased from 2001. After declining considerably starting in the
1980s, this percentage has remained fairly stable from the mid-1990s
to the present. The percentage
of first-time brides and grooms under age 25 also decreased substantially
through the 1980s and has continued to decrease, though at a slower
rate (Table MD3 and Figure MD3).
-
In 63.4 percent
of marriages, the bride was younger than the groom. In about one-quarter of marriages, the bride was older than the
groom. Age differences were more likely and, on average,
were larger in marriages where one or both participants had been
married before. In 73.4
percent of first marriages, the bride and groom were within 5
years of each other in age. This
was true in fewer than half (46.9%) of marriages in which the
bride or groom or both had been previously married (Table MD5).
-
The percentage
of brides and grooms who had never been married before decreased
while the percent previously divorced continued to increase (Table
MD6).
-
June was the
most popular month for marriages in 2002, followed by September
and August. Nearly 12 percent of marriages occurred in
June while only 4.1 percent occurred in January, the least popular
month (Table MD8).
MARRIAGE
AND DIVORCE DATA TABLES
|
| Table MD1 |
Marriages and Divorces, 1982-2002 |
| Table MD2 |
Median Age at Marriage, 1982-2002 |
| Table MD3 |
First-Time Brides and Grooms by Age, 1982-2002 |
| Table MD4 |
Marriages by Age of Bride and Age of Groom |
| Table MD5 |
Marriages by Difference in Ages of Bride and Groom |
| Table MD6 |
Marriages by Previous Marital Status, 1992-2002 |
| Table MD7 |
Previous Marital Status of Bride and of Groom |
| Table MD8 |
Marriages by County and Month of Occurrence |
| Table MD9 |
Marriages and Divorces by County of Occurrence |
|
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE ILLUSTRATIONS |
| Figure MD1 |
Marriage and Divorce Rates, 1982-2002 |
| Figure MD2 |
Median Age at First Marriage, 1982-2002 |
| Figure MD3 |
First-Time Brides and Grooms Under 25 and Under 20
Years of Age, 1982-2002 |
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 View/download all 2002 marriage and divorce tables: Excel
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Return to Health Statistics 2002 index
Go to 2001 Marriages and Divorces
Go to Vital Statistics for copies of marriage
certificates
Go to Administrative Office
of the Courts for additional divorce information
|
