The Timing of First Marriage: Age Trends and Characteristics

Family Profile No. 13, 2026
Author: Krista K. Westrick-Payne

Americans are entering first marriage at older ages than in the past. This Family Profile examines the timing of first marriage using multiple measures. Historical trends in the median age at first marriage are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau, whereas trends in refined first marriage rates and the demographic characteristics of adults who entered a first marriage in the past year are based on 2008-2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-years estimates from IPUMS USA. Learn the latest Fast Facts on American Marriages by clicking here. The NCFMR also has many other Family Profiles on marriage. You can check them all out here.

The Median Age at First Marriage

The Refined First Marriage Rate by Age Group

Age Distribution of First Marriages

Race and Ethnic Distribution of First Marriages, 2024

The racial and ethnic distribution of adults who entered a first marriage in the last year varied by age. The share who were non-Hispanic White declined with age, whereas the share who were non-Hispanic Black increased.

• The share who were non-Hispanic White was largest among adults aged 18-24 and 25-29 at 59% and smallest among those aged 40 and older at 43%.
• The share who were non-Hispanic Black was just 6.8% among adults aged 18-24 versus 17% among adults aged 40 and older.
• Adults aged 30-34 had the largest share who were non-Hispanic Asian (11%).

The share who were Hispanic comprised between one-fifth and one-quarter of adults marrying in the past year. The largest shares were among those aged 18 to 24 (26%) and those aged 40 and older (27%).

Figure 4. First Marriages in the Last Year Among Adults by Age Group and Race & Ethnicity

Source: American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates, 2024 (IPUMS USA)

Note. Categories may not sum to 100% due to rounding. NH = Non-Hispanic. “NH Asian” includes non-Hispanic individuals identifying as Asian or Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. “Other/2+ Races” includes non-Hispanic individuals identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native alone, some other race alone, or two or more races.

Educational Attainment Distribution of First Marriages, 2024

Educational attainment differed across age groups among adults who entered a first marriage in the last year. Those in their late twenties and thirties most often held bachelor’s degrees, whereas younger and older adult newlyweds had larger shares with lower levels of educational attainment (many 18-24 year olds may not have completed their educations yet).

• Among adults aged 25-29 and 30-34 who entered a first marriage in the last year, 35% had earned a bachelor’s degree. Adults aged 30-34 also had the largest share with a master’s degree or higher (23%).
• Among adults aged 18-24, 37% had completed high school or earned a GED. Adults aged 40 and older had the largest share with less than a high school education (13%).

Figure 5. First Marriages in the Last Year Among Adults by Age Group and Educational Attainment

Source: American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates, 2024 (IPUMS USA)

Note. Categories may not sum to 100% due to rounding. HS = high school; GED = general education diploma; SC = some college; Assoc = associate degree; Bach = bachelor’s degree; Mast+ = master’s or professional degree or higher.