Getting married, buying a home and starting a family have long been major milestones in American life. However, millennials are pushing back these major life decisions, especially when it comes to marriage. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median marriage age for women is currently 27.8 and the median marriage age for men is 29.8. In the 1950s, the median age for marriage was significantly lower: about 20 for women and 23 for men.
There are many reasons why millennials are delaying marriage. For example, cohabitation has become more socially acceptable among millennials than among previous generations. Today, 15 percent of adults ages 25-34 currently live with an unmarried partner. In addition, many of these young adults suffer from a lack of economic security, driven by underemployment and lower incomes resulting from the aftermath of the Great Recession. It’s understandable that millennials want to be on firmer financial ground before committing to a marriage. The hesitation to tie the knot, though, has contributed to a widening socioeconomic gap among married and unmarried households.
As marriage rates decline, the wealth gap between single millennials and married millennials increases. Research by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis showed that even after adjusting for household size, married young adults’ wealth has been consistently higher than that of either single adults or cohabitating partners. (Note: Neither Haven Life nor the information provided in this blog post has been reviewed or endorsed by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.)
U.S. Census data shows that the median household income for married millennials was $75,000 in 2017, compared to $40,000 for unmarried millennial households and $57,652 for all households.
With married millennials benefiting from higher median household incomes, they are also more likely to own a home than unmarried millennials. While the 56.3 percent homeownership rate among married millennial households still trails the national homeownership rate of 63.4, it’s more than double the unmarried millennial rate of 22.7 percent.
Similar to wealth and homeownership, marriage rates skew higher among the highly educated. According to Pew Research, as of 2015, 65 percent of college-educated adults over the age of 25 were married, significantly higher than the 50 percent marriage rate among those with a high school education. By contrast, in 1990 the marriage rate was above 60 percent for both of these groups.
Nationwide, 32.9 percent of all millennials are currently married. However, in certain cities, the millennial marriage rate significantly outpaces the generation’s average. To identify these cities, researchers at life insurance agency Haven Life analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. For each metropolitan area—grouped into large, midsize, and small metros based on population—Haven Life, an online life insurance agency that sells term life insurance, looked at marriage rates, homeownership, income, and the proportion of households with kids. Here’s what they found:
Takeaways
- Among America’s metropolitan areas with at least 100,000 people, millennial marriage rates range from a low of 21.2 percent in Gainesville, FL to a high of 56.1 percent in Provo-Orem, UT. The national rate is 32.9 percent.
- Despite low homeownership rates among millennials overall, homeownership among married millennial couples (56.3 percent) is much closer to the national rate of 63.4 percent.
- Similarly, while birth rates are at historic lows and while just 48 percent of millennial women are moms, 72 percent of married millennial households have children.
- Metropolitan areas on the East Coast are noticeably absent when it comes to higher rates of millennial marriages. Locations in Texas and Utah, on the other hand, are particularly well-represented.
Large metros with the highest millennial marriage rates
15. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 35.7 percent
- Millennial population: 454,821
- Homeownership among married millennials: 33.3 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 61.9 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $132,769
San Jose is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, where jobs in technology and engineering are plentiful. The city has multiple public transportation options too, which makes for easy commuting. San Jose has the highest median income on this list, with married millennial households earning $132,769 per year. Only a third of married millennials in San Jose own a home though—a result of skyrocketing housing prices in the area.
14. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 35.8 percent
- Millennial population: 555,992
- Homeownership among married millennials: 53.9 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 66.1 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $80,915
With a millennial population of 555,992, Portland is a great place for married millennials to live and work. Portland’s growing tech industry includes giants such as Google and Oracle, and it is convenient to commute to work by public transit, bike, or car. Since Oregon has no sales tax, millennial households can save more money to put toward a house, retirement, or entertainment. Portland is known for its Old Port district, which hosts diverse restaurants, fishing piers, and waterfront walking trails. The homeownership rate for married millennials in Portland is just below the national homeownership rate for married millennials.
13. Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 36.2 percent
- Millennial population: 238,310
- Homeownership among married millennials: 66.7 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 70.3 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $76,598
Drawing from its history as a Southern industrial city, Birmingham’s largest economic sectors are in metals manufacturing, automotive, and IT instruments. Millennial families can spend their weekends visiting the botanical gardens, the zoo, and Railroad Park. The city’s youthful feel is augmented by the University of Alabama’s thriving Birmingham campus. Birmingham also hosts the Southeastern Conference for college athletics. Over two-thirds of married millennials have kids.
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Read more12. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 36.3 percent
- Millennial population: 440,251
- Homeownership among married millennials: 65.3 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 72.0 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $77,864
Indianapolis is known for more than the Indianapolis 500. The state capital of Indiana, Indianapolis is home to company headquarters like Anthem Inc., Eli Lilly, and the NCAA. On the weekends, millennials and their families can enjoy different cultural institutions such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Hilbert Circle Theatre, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Homeownership among married millennial households in Indianapolis is above average.
11. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 36.4 percent
- Millennial population: 810,315
- Homeownership among married millennials: 70.1 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 69.4 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $94,628
Minneapolis and St. Paul are located in close proximity to each other, offering ample opportunities for employment, housing, and entertainment. Families can visit the Mall of America, the walkways along the Mississippi River, or one of the many parks scattered around the region. Bundle up, though—the Twin Cities are known for cold winters and high levels of snowfall. The 70.1 percent homeownership rate for married millennials is higher than both the national homeownership rate for married millennials and the national homeownership rate overall.
10. Raleigh, NC
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 36.7 percent
- Millennial population: 296,482
- Homeownership among married millennials: 60.9 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 68.6 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $85,939
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and home to North Carolina State University. Along with Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh is one of the three North Carolina cities considered part of the “Research Triangle” due to the high concentration of universities in the region. Major employers in Raleigh include North Carolina State University, IBM, and UNC Rex Healthcare. For entertainment, residents can enjoy the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Museum of Art, and the North Carolina State Fair.
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Read more9. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 36.9 percent
- Millennial population: 697,642
- Homeownership among married millennials: 59.6 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 67.5 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $88,010
Nestled east of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers an ideal combination of urban comfort and outdoor recreation. Due to its position as a major transportation hub and a city rich in natural resources, Denver has employment opportunities in fields such as aviation, aerospace, mining, and energy. Outside of the office, residents can attend games at Broncos Stadium, walk through one of the city’s numerous parks, or visit an art gallery or museum.
8. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 37.0 percent
- Millennial population: 1,546,701
- Homeownership among married millennials: 53.5 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 74.5 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $79,968
The Houston metropolitan area is the most populous in Texas and home to the Texas Medical System, Hewlett Packard, and AT&T. Major industries in the area include energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, and biotechnology. Within Houston, residents can explore the many attractions in the Museum District and the Theater District. Nearby Galveston Bay also offers access to the water and a pleasant escape from city life.
7. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 37.2 percent
- Millennial population: 919,040
- Homeownership among married millennials: 49.0 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 63.2 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $94,699
The greater Seattle area offers a variety of job opportunities for millennials, especially in the tech sector. Several large companies, including Starbucks, Amazon, and Microsoft, are based in Seattle. Seattle is also surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, which are perfect for hiking. The median income of married millennials is $94,699, and households can keep more of that money since Washington state has no income tax.
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6. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 37.8 percent
- Millennial population: 456,081
- Homeownership among married millennials: 62.7 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 68.9 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $73,655
Nashville is a major hub for live music, outdoor festivals, and millennials, too. The metro area is home to a millennial population of 456,081, about 25 percent of the overall population. The greater Nashville region hosts more than 40,000 businesses and offers a wide array of job opportunities in fields like education, healthcare, and automotive. Nashville residents can visit performing arts centers like the Grand Ole Opry, art museums like the Frist Center for Visual Arts, and music institutions like the Johnny Cash Museum.
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 38.0 percent
- Millennial population: 1,610,861
- Homeownership among married millennials: 53.3 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 73.0 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $78,702
The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is one of the major economic hubs in Texas. Due to its high concentration of technology firms, this region is often referred to as Silicon Prairie or the Telecom Corridor. Tourism is another popular industry in Dallas-Fort Worth, which is great news for both employment prospects and finding things to do. Residents can visit art galleries, state fairs, and major sporting events. At 1,610,861, Dallas has the highest millennial population of all metropolitan areas on this list.
4. Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 38.3 percent
- Millennial population: 211,559
- Homeownership among married millennials: 74.3 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 72.3 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $74,760
Grand Rapids has the smallest millennial population on this list, at 211,559. Major industries include manufacturing, trade, education, and health services. More specifically, Grand Rapids is also known as “Furniture City” due to its high production of furniture. This charming Midwest city combines the benefits of living in a big city with the community-oriented atmosphere of a suburb. Grand Rapids also has the highest homeownership rate on this list, with 74.3 percent of married millennials owning their own home.
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Read more3. Kansas City, MO-KS
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 38.3 percent
- Millennial population: 468,949
- Homeownership among married millennials: 63.7 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 71.6 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $82,704
The Kansas City metro area spans the Kansas-Missouri border. It is also located at the intersection of two major water systems: the Missouri River and the Kansas River. The federal government is one of Kansas City’s largest employers, but jobs are also available in other fields like healthcare, education, and financial services. Riverboat casinos, art museums, and family attractions like Legoland offer ample entertainment opportunities for young families.
2. Oklahoma City, OK
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 38.7 percent
- Millennial population: 336,318
- Homeownership among married millennials: 64.5 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 74.8 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $69,551
The state capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (OKC) features employment opportunities in fields like finance, manufacturing, and oil & energy. OKC is also home to Stockyards City, the largest cattle market in the world. For entertainment, OKC hosts multiple festivals every year and has a growing arts and culinary scene. At $69,551, Oklahoma City has the lowest median income on this list for married millennials. Fortunately, because of affordable home prices, the homeownership rate still outpaces the national average. In Oklahoma City, 74.8 percent of married millennials have children, the highest percentage on this list.
1. Salt Lake City, UT
- Percentage of millennials that are married: 43.2 percent
- Millennial population: 309,681
- Homeownership among married millennials: 59.9 percent
- Percentage of married millennial households with kids: 72.5 percent
- Median income of married millennial households: $72,479
Salt Lake City has the highest percentage of married millennials on this list. Culturally, Salt Lake City is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and contains architecture and institutions related to the church and its history. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the greater Salt Lake City region features ski resorts, national parks, and the Great Salt Lake itself. Job prospects in Salt Lake City are also positive, with employment in trade, professional services, and government.
Methodology
The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau 2017 American Community Survey PUMS. For the purpose of this analysis, millennials are defined as respondents between the ages of 21 and 36 in 2017.
Metropolitan areas were sorted and ranked by their millennial marriage rate—the percentage of all millennials currently married (not including separated). In the event of a tie, metros with more total married millennials were ranked higher.
Only metros with a population greater than 100,000 were included in the analysis. Metros were grouped into the following categories based on population:
Large metros: more than 1,000,000 people
Midsize metros: 350,000 – 1,000,000 people
Small metros: 100,000 – 350,000 people
Haven Life Insurance Agency LLC (Haven Life) conducted this analysis for educational/informational purposes only. Haven Life is an online life insurance agency offering term life insurance issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Haven Life does not provide tax, legal, investment, or housing/real estate advice, and the information in the study should not be relied on as such. You should consult your own tax, legal, investment, and other advisors, as appropriate, before engaging in any transaction.
