Red states lead blue states in family stability, new index report says

For those chasing the American dream, a new study has insightful information about what it takes to get there — as well as data that could determine the best states to put down roots.

Declining marriages and broken families are crippling predominantly blue states, while red states are thriving with better economic mobility, better education and lower crime, according to a 2026 Family Structure Index released Tuesday by the Ohio-based Center for Christian Virtue.

In partnership with the Institute for Family Studies, the report examined three fundamental factors: marriage rates, family stability and fertility rates. The study also tracked cost of living, religious participation, family instability and education levels, revealing wide gaps between states that affect “health and the achievement of the American dream.”

“This report should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers and community leaders across the country,” CCV President Aaron Baer told Fox News Digital.

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A 2026 report from the Center for Christian Virtue and the Institute for Family Studies compares red and blue states on family stability. (iStock)

Baer added that government programs alone “cannot replace strong families.”

“No amount of paid family leave, child care subsidies or social experimentation will rebuild the foundations that families are,” he said. “If these policies were enough, states like California and New York would lead the way. The data shows otherwise. If we are serious about reducing poverty and expanding opportunity, we must strengthen the institutions that have always made America strong: faith, family, and economic freedom.”

The report reveals that only 1 in 3 Americans believe in the American dream.

The index clearly shows the geographic divisions. Red states like Utah rank highest in family stability, while blue states like New Mexico lag behind.

The Rocky Mountain and Great Plains states generally have higher marriage and fertility rates, according to the report.

Behind Utah, the next five most stable states in terms of family stability were Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.

The final five states: Vermont, Nevada, Louisiana, Rhode Island and New Mexico.

These differences are now impacting where people choose to live, according to the report.

South Carolina, for example, has seen marriage rates increase and its ranking on this list improve; while Hawaii has fallen as marriage rates decline and housing costs remain high.

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As these pressures mount, more Americans are leaving high-cost blue states for more affordable red states.

“Strong families are the foundation of a healthy society,” Baer said in a press release. “This report shows that when the family structure weakens, the effects ripple through our schools, our communities and our economy. But it also makes clear that this is not inevitable. There is a solution and a path forward.”

The report notably highlights a clear link between family structure and economic situation.

States with more married parents have had lower child poverty rates, better educational outcomes, less crime and stronger economies, while those with a higher proportion of single-parent households face long-term challenges.

Other contributing factors also emerged.

States with higher religious participation have seen higher birth rates, while expensive real estate markets are linked to lower fertility rates, according to the report. Education also plays a role, as more college-educated adults are more likely to start stable families thanks to economic security.

Since 2000, the national index has fallen from 100 to 87.3, signaling a decline in family structure, the report added. Even though marriage rates have stabilized in recent years, fertility rates continue to decline and pose lasting constraints for future generations.

However, these trends vary across red and blue states, according to a CCV spokesperson, who said the report “also highlights that these trends are not limited to a single region or political ideology.”

The findings prompted calls for policy changes focused on strengthening families and economic conditions.

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A 2026 Family Structure Index report finds that red states outperform blue states in family stability, economic mobility and education. (iStock)

“The lesson is clear,” Baer said. “Red and blue states should promote policies that make housing more affordable, ensure that good-paying jobs are accessible, keep taxes low, and expand access to quality education.”

Baer added that it depends on the impact of household stability.

Stable two-parent households are linked to higher college graduation rates and a better chance of reaching the middle class, the report said. Married adults are also about 80% less likely to live in poverty than single adults.

“Family structure is one of the most powerful indicators we have for determining whether children and communities are thriving,” Brad Wilcox, a sociology professor and senior fellow at the University of Virginia, said in a press release. “States that succeed in this area have significantly lower levels of child poverty, as well as higher rates of economic mobility and homeownership.”

For many, economic realities continued to fuel skepticism about the American dream. Since 1980, fewer adults aged 25 to 54 have been able to buy a home, and only about 50% of those born in the 1980s earn more than their parents, compared with 90% of those born in the 1940s.

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Marriage rates fell sharply between 2000 and 2010, followed by a 17% decline over the next decade, as “upward mobility was cut by almost half in two generations,” the report said.

“It’s not just about statistics,” Baer said. “This is about real children and a real future. If we want to see our nation prosper, we need to get serious about strengthening marriage and supporting families in every community.”