Institute for Family Studies ranks top regions for adults looking to marry
August 20, 2026
The conservative think tank released a report this month mapping out the nation’s marriage rates to help young adults identify the most promising regions for finding a spouse. Researchers analyzed microdata from IPUMS USA’s American Community Surveys collected between 2020 to 2024, and identified a connection between income, employment, and marriage rates, according to the report. The think tank compiled its findings at GoGetMarried.org, in an interactive map users can analyze based on age, education background, and religion.
Regions with the highest marriage rates: Researchers generally found the highest marriage rates for adults in their 20s among interior states like Utah, Kansas, and Tennessee. Conversely, adults in their 30s found the highest marriage rates among major urban hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
