Taking the next step in a serious relationship typically entails marriage and in this day and age, more American couples wed later in adulthood. Nearly 50% of those 15-and-over in the U.S. have tied the knot. While the prevalence of marriage varies among the states, there is one place in each state where people say “I do” more often than others.
To identify the marriage capital in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage of married people among the 15-and-over population in every U.S. city. The city, town, village, or Census Designated Place (CDP) with the highest percentage of married people in a state is the state’s marriage capital.
However, the median age in the populations of these places widely differs from state to state. For example, the two marriage capitals with the highest percentage of married people nationwide are located in Hawaii and Tennessee, and the difference between the median age of the places in both states are night and day. In Hickam Housing, Hawaii, the median age of the population is 23 years old, whereas the median age in Tellico Village, Tennessee is triple that at 69.
Click here to see the marriage capitals of every state.
Click here to read our detailed findings and methodology.
1. Mountain Brook, Alabama
> Married population: 72.5%
> Married population, statewide: 47.9%
> Population ages 20-44: 24.6%
> Population 65 and over: 15.6%
> Median household income: $129,777
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2. Kalifornsky, Alaska
> Married population: 60.7%
> Married population, statewide: 48.3%
> Population ages 20-44: 30.5%
> Population 65 and over: 8.4%
> Median household income: $77,756
3. Saddlebrooke, Arizona
> Married population: 78.3%
> Married population, statewide: 47.2%
> Population ages 20-44: 7.6%
> Population 65 and over: 65.9%
> Median household income: $69,792
4. Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
> Married population: 71.2%
> Married population, statewide: 50.1%
> Population ages 20-44: 9.0%
> Population 65 and over: 61.6%
> Median household income: $53,381
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5. Camp Pendleton South, California
> Married population: 76.0%
> Married population, statewide: 46.6%
> Population ages 20-44: 55.6%
> Population 65 and over: N/A
> Median household income: $42,212
6. Roxborough Park, Colorado
> Married population: 77.2%
> Married population, statewide: 50.8%
> Population ages 20-44: 33.3%
> Population 65 and over: 10.3%
> Median household income: $106,188
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7. Darien, Connecticut
> Married population: 65.6%
> Married population, statewide: 47.9%
> Population ages 20-44: 23.3%
> Population 65 and over: 11.6%
> Median household income: $208,125
8. North Star, Delaware
> Married population: 71.7%
> Married population, statewide: 47.4%
> Population ages 20-44: 20.7%
> Population 65 and over: 17.4%
> Median household income: $140,691
9. Citrus Hills, Florida
> Married population: 78.9%
> Married population, statewide: 46.2%
> Population ages 20-44: 8.4%
> Population 65 and over: 58.9%
> Median household income: $64,283
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10. Skidaway Island, Georgia
> Married population: 75.3%
> Married population, statewide: 46.9%
> Population ages 20-44: 11.2%
> Population 65 and over: 48.2%
> Median household income: $104,643
11. Hickam Housing, Hawaii
> Married population: 80.7%
> Married population, statewide: 49.8%
> Population ages 20-44: 51.6%
> Population 65 and over: 0.1%
> Median household income: $75,487
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12. Eagle, Idaho
> Married population: 66.2%
> Married population, statewide: 54.7%
> Population ages 20-44: 23.8%
> Population 65 and over: 13.1%
> Median household income: N/A
13. Glencoe village, Illinois
> Married population: 71.8%
> Married population, statewide: 47.8%
> Population ages 20-44: 18.9%
> Population 65 and over: 15.7%
> Median household income: $185,320
14. Granger, Indiana
> Married population: 67.4%
> Married population, statewide: 49.3%
> Population ages 20-44: 24.4%
> Population 65 and over: 14.1%
> Median household income: $93,825
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15. Grimes, Iowa
> Married population: 63.7%
> Married population, statewide: 52.7%
> Population ages 20-44: 37.1%
> Population 65 and over: 6.6%
> Median household income: $83,125
16. Leawood, Kansas
> Married population: 70.5%
> Married population, statewide: 52.3%
> Population ages 20-44: 20.5%
> Population 65 and over: 16.9%
> Median household income: $147,722
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17. Francisville, Kentucky
> Married population: 71.8%
> Married population, statewide: 49.7%
> Population ages 20-44: 33.7%
> Population 65 and over: 7.2%
> Median household income: $108,214
18. Fort Polk South, Louisiana
> Married population: 63.7%
> Married population, statewide: 43.5%
> Population ages 20-44: 57.1%
> Population 65 and over: 0.3%
> Median household income: $43,680
19. Brewer, Maine
> Married population: 54.2%
> Married population, statewide: 50.5%
> Population ages 20-44: 34.6%
> Population 65 and over: 15.0%
> Median household income: $56,128
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20. Clarksburg, Maryland
> Married population: 68.5%
> Married population, statewide: 46.9%
> Population ages 20-44: 36.0%
> Population 65 and over: 6.9%
> Median household income: $74,435
21. Winchester, Massachusetts
> Married population: 68.9%
> Married population, statewide: 46.4%
> Population ages 20-44: 27.4%
> Population 65 and over: 11.6%
> Median household income: $37,740
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22. East Grand Rapids, Michigan
> Married population: 69.4%
> Married population, statewide: 48.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 25.1%
> Population 65 and over: 10.2%
> Median household income: $118,393
23. Minnetrista, Minnesota
> Married population: 72.0%
> Married population, statewide: 52.1%
> Population ages 20-44: 24.4%
> Population 65 and over: 12.0%
> Median household income: $143,191
24. Madison, Mississippi
> Married population: 65.4%
> Married population, statewide: 44.6%
> Population ages 20-44: 33.0%
> Population 65 and over: 9.8%
> Median household income: $95,423
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25. Ladue, Missouri
> Married population: 73.0%
> Married population, statewide: 49.3%
> Population ages 20-44: 19.1%
> Population 65 and over: 19.8%
> Median household income: $186,371
26. Helena Valley West Central, Montana
> Married population: 61.8%
> Married population, statewide: 51.7%
> Population ages 20-44: 27.4%
> Population 65 and over: 15.5%
> Median household income: $70,441
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27. Papillion, Nebraska
> Married population: 58.2%
> Married population, statewide: 52.8%
> Population ages 20-44: 33.6%
> Population 65 and over: 12.3%
> Median household income: $77,339
28. Johnson Lane, Nevada
> Married population: 68.7%
> Married population, statewide: 45.5%
> Population ages 20-44: 20.2%
> Population 65 and over: 28.7%
> Median household income: $79,276
29. Hampton, New Hampshire
> Married population: 57.9%
> Married population, statewide: 51.9%
> Population ages 20-44: 20.8%
> Population 65 and over: 25.0%
> Median household income: $115,673
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30. Short Hills, New Jersey
> Married population: 75.0%
> Married population, statewide: 49.1%
> Population ages 20-44: 20.3%
> Population 65 and over: 12.1%
> Median household income: $250,000+
31. Los Alamos, New Mexico
> Married population: 63.6%
> Married population, statewide: 45.1%
> Population ages 20-44: 25.7%
> Population 65 and over: 11.5%
> Median household income: $59,688
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32. Kiryas Joel village, New York
> Married population: 74.7%
> Married population, statewide: 44.5%
> Population ages 20-44: 29.2%
> Population 65 and over: 1.8%
> Median household income: $26,341
33. Porters Neck, North Carolina
> Married population: 73.1%
> Married population, statewide: 48.9%
> Population ages 20-44: 27.6%
> Population 65 and over: 29.6%
> Median household income: $98,200
34. Mandan, North Dakota
> Married population: 56.7%
> Married population, statewide: 52.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 36.0%
> Population 65 and over: 14.6%
> Median household income: $60,034
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35. Powell, Ohio
> Married population: 72.1%
> Married population, statewide: 48.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 26.6%
> Population 65 and over: 10.4%
> Median household income: $132,917
36. Newcastle, Oklahoma
> Married population: 63.6%
> Married population, statewide: 50.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 28.3%
> Population 65 and over: 12.9%
> Median household income: $78,144
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37. Bethany, Oregon
> Married population: 68.6%
> Married population, statewide: 49.2%
> Population ages 20-44: 31.6%
> Population 65 and over: 10.3%
> Median household income: $117,056
38. Franklin Park borough, Pennsylvania
> Married population: 71.0%
> Married population, statewide: 48.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 23.9%
> Population 65 and over: 14.5%
> Median household income: $121,661
39. Cumberland Hill, Rhode Island
> Married population: 63.5%
> Married population, statewide: 44.5%
> Population ages 20-44: 28.2%
> Population 65 and over: 18.5%
> Median household income: $80,625
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40. Five Forks, South Carolina
> Married population: 68.3%
> Married population, statewide: 47.1%
> Population ages 20-44: 27.8%
> Population 65 and over: 8.9%
> Median household income: $110,885
41. Brandon, South Dakota
> Married population: 60.8%
> Married population, statewide: 52.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 30.8%
> Population 65 and over: 16.4%
> Median household income: $41,563
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42. Tellico Village, Tennessee
> Married population: 80.3%
> Married population, statewide: 49.3%
> Population ages 20-44: 4.9%
> Population 65 and over: 66.0%
> Median household income: $68,453
43. Lantana, Texas
> Married population: 74.2%
> Married population, statewide: 49.3%
> Population ages 20-44: 33.0%
> Population 65 and over: 6.5%
> Median household income: $142,375
44. Eagle Mountain, Utah
> Married population: 73.2%
> Married population, statewide: 55.9%
> Population ages 20-44: 38.6%
> Population 65 and over: 2.8%
> Median household income: $71,122
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45. Essex Junction village, Vermont
> Married population: 50.0%
> Married population, statewide: 49.4%
> Population ages 20-44: 35.2%
> Population 65 and over: 12.0%
> Median household income: $61,620
46. Brambleton, Virginia
> Married population: 72.4%
> Married population, statewide: 50.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 42.4%
> Population 65 and over: 2.8%
> Median household income: $164,321
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47. Snoqualmie, Washington
> Married population: 76.2%
> Married population, statewide: 50.6%
> Population ages 20-44: 36.4%
> Population 65 and over: 4.7%
> Median household income: $131,453
48. Teays Valley, West Virginia
> Married population: 60.3%
> Married population, statewide: 50.0%
> Population ages 20-44: 30.5%
> Population 65 and over: 18.2%
> Median household income: $73,846
49. Harrison village, Wisconsin
> Married population: 69.4%
> Married population, statewide: 50.7%
> Population ages 20-44: 28.3%
> Population 65 and over: 26.1%
> Median household income: $32,000
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50. Cody, Wyoming
> Married population: 58.6%
> Married population, statewide: 53.2%
> Population ages 20-44: 31.2%
> Population 65 and over: 19.5%
> Median household income: $56,659
Detailed Findings & Methodology
The median age of a population speaks volumes about the kind of environment of these marriage capitals. For example, the age of the populations living in 30 of these marriage hubs exceed the national median age of 37.7 years, which indicates that the total population skews older. Many of these places are retirement communities.
The national share of the 65 years and over population is 14.5%, and in 21 of these marriage capitals the share of the older population tops the national figure. Over half the population in four marriage capitals is 65 years and over. Three of these cities are also among the five places with the highest percentage of married people nationwide. More specifically, 78%-80% of the population 15 years and over is married in Tellico, Tennessee; Citrus Hills, Florida; and Saddlebrooke, Arizona. All three of these marriage hubs are well-known retirement communities.
As for the 20 marriage capitals where the median age doesn’t exceed the national median of 37.7 years, the median age can be as low as 20 years. In Eagle Mountain, a Utah city known for outdoor activities and a relatively large Mormon population, the median age is 20.2 years with 76% of males and 81.6% of females ages 20-34 married.
The median age also tends to be lower in places with military bases. For example, in Camp Pendleton South, California — a Marine Corps base — 76% of residents 15 and over are married, making it the place with the highest percentage of married people in the state. The median age in the city is about 21. Hickam Housing, Hawaii — an Air Force base — is another example, with 80.7% of the 15-and-over population married. The median age in Hickam Housing is about 23.
Another common factor in the places with the highest percentage of married individuals in each state is median household income. Of the 50 marriage capitals, 43 have a median household income greater than the national median of $55,322 per year.
A strong majority of the marriage capitals comprise wealthy people. In 21 marriage capitals the median household income surpasses $100,000 annually. Skidaway Island is considered to be one of the most affluent communities in Georgia with a median household income of $104,643. And that median household income is half of another marriage capital on this list, Darien, Connecticut, with a median household income of $208,125.
To identify the marriage capital in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage of people ages 15 and over who are married in all 29,321 cities and towns in the United States. We retrieved these figures from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey. The population data are five-year averages through 2016. Median age and household income data also came from the ACS. In order to ensure that all states had a town or city with a percentage of married people above the state average, 24/7 Wall St. assessed cities and towns with total populations greater than 5,000 people.
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