Montana Ranks in the Top 5 for Happily-Ever-Afters

When it comes to tying the knot and making it stick, Montanans are doing something right.

According to the US Census Bureau, our state ranks fifth in the entire country for marriage success, with over 51,600 married people per 100,000 residents. That means more than half of Montanans aged 15 and up were married in 2023.

The Secret to Montana’s Marriage Success?

Maybe it’s the slower pace of life. Maybe it’s the wide-open spaces and shared love of the outdoors. Or maybe it’s just good ol’-fashioned Montana values. Whatever the reason, couples here seem to be making marriage work better than in most places across the U.S.

Who's Ahead of Us?

Montana sits behind Idaho and Utah (which tied for first), Wyoming, and Nebraska. All these states have strong marriage rates, but Montana is right there with them. And honestly, we’re not surprised because there’s something about Montana that brings people together and keeps them together.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

The study, done by Instacams.com, used U.S. Census Bureau data from 2023 to look at how many people are married in each state.

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The study focused on people aged 15 and older, comparing the number of married residents to the total adult population. With 484,773 married people out of a possible 939,482, Montana came in strong with 51.6% of our population being married.

How Do Other States Compare?

While Montana and our neighbors are excelling in the love-and-marriage department, some states are struggling a bit more. New Mexico landed at the bottom of the list, with only 43.5% of its adult population married.

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Is Marriage Still “In”?

According to this study, absolutely. Especially in states like Montana, where strong communities, shared interests, and connection to nature may play a role in keeping couples close. So, if you’re married in Montana, you’re part of a statistic worth celebrating!