Marriage and Divorce There were 5,018 marriages and 3,250 divorces in Delaware in 2005 (see Tables B- 1 and B-11, respectively). Marriage Male Female Youngest: 17 Youngest: 15 Oldest: 89 Oldest: 90 Marriage with the greatest age difference between bride and groom: 39 years Most popular month to get married: October (see Table B-9). Divorce Marriage and Divorce Male Female Youngest: 19 Youngest: 17 Oldest: 88 Oldest: 83 Shortest duration of marriage: 58.4 days Longest duration of marriage: 63.6 years Median duration of marriage: 8.7 years (see Table B-16). Total children under 18 years of age: 2826 (see Table B-18). The five-year average marriage rate changed very little from 1982-1986 to 1986- 1990. Since that time, marriage rates have decreased 28.7 percent, from 8.7 to 6.2 marriages per 1,000 population in 2001-2005. Divorce rates remained fairly stable from 1984-1988 to 1992-1996. From 1992- 1996 to 2001-2005, divorce rates declined 19 percent to 3.8 divorces per 1,000 population. Printed copies of tables, graphs, and charts can by obtained by contacting: Delaware Health Statistics Center Delaware Division of Public Health 417 Federal Street Dover, Delaware 19901 (302) 744-4541