Census Bureau Study: Divorce Cuts Children's Income by 13%

A landmark study from the U.S. Census Bureau, published in January 2026, is putting hard numbers behind something family law attorneys have understood intuitively for decades: how parents handle divorce has profound, measurable consequences for their children's entire lives.

According to the Census Bureau's working paper, researchers analyzed data from over 5 million children born between 1988 and 1993, drawing on federal tax records and Social Security data to track outcomes into adulthood. The findings are sobering. Children who experienced parental divorce in early childhood saw their adult income reduced by 9 to 13 percent. Teen birth rates among children of divorce were 63 percent higher. Early mortality risk increased by 35 to 55 percent. And incarceration rates were three times higher than those of children whose parents remained married.

These are not small effects. And for anyone going through a divorce in Florida right now, especially one involving children, this study should reshape how you think about every decision in the process.

Why This Study Matters More Than Previous Research

We have had decades of social science research on divorce and child outcomes. What makes this Census Bureau study different is its sheer scale and the quality of its data. This is not a survey of 200 families where participants self-report their income. Researchers tracked over 5 million children using actual tax records and federal administrative data, making it one of the most rigorous studies ever conducted on this topic.

One finding in particular caught my attention as a Florida family law attorney: parental geographic distance after divorce accounted for 15 to 22 percent of the negative outcomes observed. In plain English, when divorced parents moved far apart from each other, their children fared significantly worse. The farther apart the parents lived, the larger the damage.

This single data point validates something Florida law already takes very seriously.

How Florida Law Already Addresses These Findings

Florida's family law framework is built around the "best interests of the child" standard, codified in Florida Statute 61.13. Every custody decision, every time-sharing arrangement, every parenting plan modification runs through that filter. This Census Bureau study essentially provides a massive empirical foundation for what Florida courts have been doing for years.

Let me break down the specific connections.

Relocation Restrictions

Florida Statute 61.13001 requires a parent who wants to move more than 50 miles away from their current residence to either get written agreement from the other parent or petition the court for permission. The relocating parent bears the burden of proving the move is in the child's best interest.

The Census Bureau's finding that geographic distance between parents mediates 15 to 22 percent of negative child outcomes gives courts even stronger justification for scrutinizing relocation requests carefully. If you are a parent opposing a relocation, this study is now part of the broader body of evidence supporting your position.

Parenting Plans That Maximize Involvement

Florida law requires a detailed parenting plan in every case involving minor children. Under Florida Statute 61.13(2)(b), the court must consider each parent's ability to facilitate a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent. The study's data on geographic distance strongly suggests that parenting plans keeping both parents actively involved in a child's daily life are not just preferable, they are essential.

In my practice, I see this issue come up most often when one parent views time-sharing as a zero-sum game. They want to maximize their own time and minimize the other parent's. This study makes the case that children pay a real, lifelong price when that approach wins out.

The Economic Impact Matters for Child Support

The 9 to 13 percent reduction in adult income is particularly striking. It tells us that the economic effects of divorce on children extend far beyond the childhood years when child support is being paid. Florida's child support guidelines are designed to ensure children maintain a standard of living as close as possible to what they would have experienced had the marriage remained intact. But no child support formula can fully compensate for the disruption divorce causes to a child's long-term economic trajectory.

This is one more reason why getting the financial aspects of your divorce right matters enormously. Proper financial disclosure and honest support calculations are not just legal requirements. They are investments in your children's future.

What This Means if You Are Getting Divorced in Florida

Let me be direct. This study is not an argument against divorce. There are situations, including those involving abuse, addiction, and severe conflict, where staying in a marriage causes more harm to children than ending it. Courts and researchers both recognize this.

What the study does argue, powerfully, is that how you divorce matters as much as whether you divorce. Here are the practical takeaways:

• Minimize geographic distance. If you can reasonably stay in the same school district or general area as your co-parent, the data suggests your children will benefit significantly.

• Prioritize a workable parenting plan over winning. A collaborative approach to divorce, where both parents negotiate in good faith with the help of trained professionals, tends to produce parenting plans that actually work for children.

• Think long-term on financial decisions. The tax implications, property division, and support arrangements you agree to now will ripple through your children's lives for decades. Approach these decisions with the seriousness they deserve.

• Support your children's relationship with the other parent. The study's findings on geographic distance are really a proxy for something broader: children do best when they have meaningful, consistent relationships with both parents. Every decision you make in the divorce should be filtered through that lens.

• Take advantage of Florida's evolving family court resources. Legislation like Florida SB 1128, which creates after-hours judicial availability for time-sharing enforcement, and proposals for family court accountability reflect a system that is actively trying to get better at protecting children. Use these tools.

The Bigger Picture

This Census Bureau study lands at a time when the national divorce rate is actually declining. That is good news. But the millions of families who do go through divorce every year need to understand that the process itself, not just the event, shapes outcomes for children.

As a family law attorney, I do not see my job as simply getting my client the best possible legal result in a vacuum. The best legal result in a family case is one that protects children while fairly addressing the rights of both parents. This study reinforces that perspective with data that is very hard to argue with.

If you are at the beginning of a divorce and have children, take a breath. Think about what kind of co-parenting relationship you want to build. Consider whether a collaborative process might produce better outcomes than a contested battle. And if your co-parent is proposing a relocation, understand that the stakes of that decision are even higher than you may have realized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this study mean I should stay in an unhappy marriage for my kids?

No. The study measures average outcomes across millions of children and does not account for the harm caused by high-conflict, abusive, or deeply dysfunctional marriages. Researchers consistently find that children in high-conflict intact families often fare worse than children of divorce. The takeaway is not to avoid divorce at all costs. It is to handle divorce in a way that minimizes disruption to your children, prioritizes their stability, and preserves their relationship with both parents.

Can I use this Census Bureau study in my Florida custody case?

You are unlikely to introduce the study itself as evidence in a typical custody hearing, but its findings align with and support the factors Florida courts already consider under Statute 61.13. Your attorney can use the principles reflected in this research, particularly regarding geographic proximity, parental involvement, and stability, to build arguments about parenting plans, relocation, and time-sharing that serve your child's best interests.

How does Florida prevent parents from moving far apart after divorce?

Florida Statute 61.13001, the relocation statute, requires any parent who wants to move more than 50 miles away to get either the other parent's written consent or court approval. The court considers a long list of factors, including the child's relationship with both parents, the impact on the child's education and development, and whether the move is made in good faith. The Census Bureau's finding that distance between parents accounts for 15 to 22 percent of negative outcomes gives courts another strong reason to scrutinize these requests carefully.

If you are navigating a divorce in Florida and want to understand how these findings apply to your family's situation, schedule a strategy session with our team. We can help you build a parenting plan that puts your children's long-term wellbeing first.

This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon for legal decisions. Every divorce case is unique. If you are facing a similar situation, consult with a qualified Florida family law attorney. Contact Divorce.law for a strategy session.