Divorce Is Leveling Off, Except For Older Black Women

The new census data tells us that divorce is finally leveling off... except for older African-American women?

According to the most recent stats, of all women who've ever tied the knot, the number of divorcées reached as high as 41 percent among the age-50-to-59 set. Black women reported the largest amount of splits in the group, with 48 percent claiming they'd divorced at least once in their lifetimes. On the other hand, Asian and Hispanic women know how to make it work, as only 30 percent or less have ever called it quits for good. Interesting, eh? 15 Common Divorce Mistakes

These findings were part of a few new discoveries reported by The Washington Post, specifically citing divorce trends laid out by the census data released this week. The great news (assuming you're not a big fan of messy breakups)? The divorce rate, overall, has seemingly reached its peak.

About 75 percent of couples who exchanged vows at the start of the 90s celebrated their tenth anniversaries. That number is up nearly 3 percent since the beginning of the 80s, when divorce rates were at their highest levels. Why these results? We can assume the increase in the age both men and women get married is largely responsible. Kids aren't so young and spontaneous anymore. Now, they're cohabiting, staying in school to get that Masters or Ph.D, and landing job opportunities (or seeking them out), which are all big factors. Then, maybe it's even economical? 'Spousonomics': Is Economic Theory the Key to a Happy Marriage?

"There's a new marriage bargain based on having two earners that seems to be working for more and more couples," said Andrew Cherlin, a sociology professor at Johns Hopkins University who thinks some spouses stay together for the monetary benefits. "Most divorces have always occurred within 10 years of marriage because most people who are unhappily married figure that out quickly."

Then, we have to remember there's a large portion of couples who choose not to get married at all, so there's no chance of divorcing. 6 Factors That Make You Less Likely To Divorce Infographic

Not that we had to tell you, but times do seem to be changin', as well as the reasons we get married, split or stay together.