MARRIAGES ENDING IN DIVORCE
Clipboard researched by Kathie Bozanich and Janice L. Jones / Los Angeles Times, Graphics by Doris Shields / Los Angeles Times
Licensed romance here has been holding its own against the anti-cupid, but the margin is very slim. In each of the last five years the number of divorces in the county has nearly equalled the number of marriages; in 1986 there were more divorces. Through the first half of this year the pattern prevailed, with the pace on both sides faster.
1984: Marriages: 14,179 Divorces: 13,946 1985: Marriages: 14,306 Divorces: 13,794 1986: Marriages: 13,905 Divorces: 13,942 1987: Marriages: 14,515 Divorces: 13,991 1988: Marriages: 14,711 Divorces: 13,900 1989* Marriages: 9,870 Divorces: 9,246 * Through June 30
Source: Orange County Clerk