SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has long been known for early marriages and big families, but that may be changing. Data continues to show that marriage rates in Utah are dropping, and more young adults are waiting to say “I do.”

Dating in Utah can feel like a roller coaster — filled with excitement, frustration and everything in between. But, in a state known for quick engagements, more people are taking their time or choosing not to marry at all.

The U.S. marriage rate has plummeted since 1970, according to the Institute for Family Studies. While Utah still has the highest marriage rate in the country , it’s beginning to mirror national trends. Census Bureau data shows the state’s marriage rate declined from 27.3 marriages per 1,000 women in 2011 to 22.3 in 2021 — an 18% drop in a decade.

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