ARKANSAS NEWS – Jan 10 – In every state and Washington, D.C., the number of people 20 – 34 who have never married has risen sharply since 2000, according to a Stateline analysis of census data. 81% of young people are still single in Washington, D.C., up from 73% in 2000. In six states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) ~70% of young people are single. Marriage is becoming less feasible for young people because of economic uncertainty, said Gary Lee, professor emeritus of sociology at Bowling Green State University, who wrote a book last year about the declining marriage rate. Young couples are living together without getting married at a higher rate. For 70 years, the typical marriage age in the U.S. has been steadily creeping toward 30.
