If we examine California divorce statistics over the last 20 years, divorce rates have been steadily declining since 2002, up until recently, that is. In 2002 160,785 marriages ended, compared to 108,422 in 2020. But from 2020 to 2021 the number of divorce filings in California increased to 114,238 – an increase of over 5,000 from the previous year. We will explore graphs that illustrate divorce statistics in California based on fiscal year and county and examine the impact Covid-19 had on these rates.

The table below shows the total number of family law filings for each fiscal year from 2002-2021.

California Family Court Filings: 2002 – 2021

California Divorce Data by County

Let’s look at how the rate of divorce changed by county from 2016-2020. The data shows how many divorces occurred each fiscal year, the total number of divorces, and the overall divorce rate in each county statewide.

California Divorce Rate by County

Yearly numbers of divorces vary greatly by county, depending on the overall population of each region. However, one commonality is that most counties’ yearly number of divorces steadily decline from 16/17 through 19/20, and then break this trend by increasing in 20/21.

California Divorces from 2016-2022

*Data is organized by Fiscal Year

How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Divorces in California?

Data shows that after years of steep and steady decline in divorce rates since 2002, the total number of divorces went up 5 percent overall from the 19/20 to 20/21 fiscal year. What caused this rise in rates? The most likely answer would be attributed to the effects of COVID-19. Marriages that had been on the rocks prior to the COVID-19 quarantine were put to the ultimate test when partners were forced to spend most, if not all, of their time together in a confined space.

The 2020 quarantine halted almost everything – including divorce proceedings, so divorces that were already underway or those getting ready to start the process, could not be moved forward or finalized. This caused a significant decrease in numbers for the 19/20 fiscal year. However, when the courts opened back up in 2021, those seeking a divorce flocked to court, causing the overall divorce rate to increase by 5 percent in the 20/21 fiscal year.

California Divorces During COVID

Data Table: COVID’s Impact on Divorce

Here we can take a closer look at the divorce rates per country from the 19/20 to 20/21 years. Most counties saw an increase in the number of divorces from 2020 to 2021, while some did not. In general, there were overwhelmingly more divorces in 20/21 than in 19/20. The information in the chart below is organized by fiscal year.

*Data is organized by Fiscal Year

Data and Fair Use

This data was collected from reports published by the Judicial Council of California.  County data is shown for the Fiscal Years 2016 – 2021.  If you would like to report on or republish any of the data or graphics found here, please link to this page to cite the source.