A Decade of Changes in State Fertility Rates for Women Age 30 and Older: United States, 2015–2024

NCHS Data Brief No. 556, April 2026

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Brady E. Hamilton, Ph.D.

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Key findings
Introduction
Women ages 30–34
Women ages 35–39
Women age 40 and older

Summary
Definitions
Data source and methods
About the author
References
Suggested citation

Key findings

Data from the National Vital Statistics System

The U.S. fertility rate for women ages 30–34 decreased 8% from 2015 to 2024, with declines in 37 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) ranging from 2% to 21%.
For women ages 35–39, the U.S. fertility rate increased 5% from 2015 to 2024, with increases in 35 states ranging from 3% to 21% and decreases in 5 states and D.C.
The U.S. fertility rate for women age 40 and older increased 24% from 2015 to 2024, with increases in 46 states ranging from 7% to 70%.

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Introduction

Since the 1980s, fertility rates in the United States among women age 30 and older, particularly those 35 and older, have generally increased. During the same period, fertility rates for women younger than 30, who still account for most births, decreased (1–5). As a result, the overall number of U.S. births has declined (6). Although previous reports have described national changes in fertility rates for women 30 and older, limited information is available on variation by state. This report describes changes in fertility rates for women ages 30–34, 35–39, and 40 and older by state and the District of Columbia (D.C.) from 2015 to 2024.

Women ages 30–34

The U.S. fertility rate for women ages 30–34 decreased 8% from 2015 to 2024, from 101.4 births per 1,000 women to 93.7 (Figure 1, Table 1).
The fertility rate for women in their early 30s decreased in 37 states from 2015 to 2024: by 10%–21% in 13 states and D.C. and 2%–9% in 24 states. Rates did not change significantly for the remaining 13 states.
In 2024, the fertility rate for women ages 30–34 ranged by state from 60.1 (D.C.) to 122.5 (South Dakota).

Figure 1 is a map showing the percent change in the fertility rate for women ages 30 to 34 for 2015 and 2024 and the fertility rate for 2024 by state.

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Data table for Figure 1. Percent change in fertility rate for women ages 30–34: United States and each state, 2015 to 2024, and fertility rate in each state, 2024
Area	Fertility rate, ages 30–34¹		Percent change
Area	2015	2024	Percent change
United States²	101.4	93.7	-8
Alabama	85.6	86.1	†1
Alaska	108.4	93.0	-14
Arizona	98.4	89.2	-9
Arkansas	84.7	82.0	-3
California	105.5	89.4	-15
Colorado	100.1	89.7	-10
Connecticut	106.9	108.5	†1
Delaware	108.7	94.4	-13
District of Columbia	76.0	60.1	-21
Florida	97.2	90.3	-7
Georgia	93.7	89.0	-5
Hawaii	103.1	91.2	-12
Idaho	107.0	98.4	-8
Illinois	105.6	93.3	-12
Indiana	96.9	96.9	†0
Iowa	108.2	109.5	†1
Kansas	105.2	102.5	†-3
Kentucky	87.8	88.7	†1
Louisiana	89.1	85.7	-4
Maine	92.8	85.4	-8
Maryland	106.5	100.7	-5
Massachusetts	109.5	102.4	-6
Michigan	101.2	94.1	-7
Minnesota	121.3	114.8	-5
Mississippi	78.0	80.0	†3
Missouri	96.8	93.4	-4
Montana	103.4	90.4	-13
Nebraska	116.0	118.9	†3
Nevada	93.1	79.6	-15
New Hampshire	103.7	99.5	†-4
New Jersey	115.3	112.4	-3
New Mexico	82.5	78.7	-5
New York	101.1	93.6	-7
North Carolina	96.8	94.8	-2
North Dakota	117.1	111.1	-5
Ohio	101.8	94.3	-7
Oklahoma	90.0	85.3	-5
Oregon	94.2	78.4	-17
Pennsylvania	105.2	98.3	-7
Rhode Island	102.7	90.7	-12
South Carolina	93.0	90.7	-2
South Dakota	122.4	122.5	†0
Tennessee	88.7	89.4	†1
Texas	102.0	96.0	-6
Utah	124.3	104.8	-16
Vermont	94.1	82.8	-12
Virginia	105.9	98.2	-7
Washington	105.5	88.4	-16
West Virginia	76.3	77.0	†1
Wisconsin	107.1	106.7	†0
Wyoming	94.4	87.6	-7

† Difference not statistically significant.
¹Number of births to women ages 30–34 per 1,000 women 30–34.
²Includes data for states and District of Columbia.
NOTES: Data are by place of residence. Fertility rates are births per 1,000 women ages 30–34 in each area. Rates are based on population estimates as of July 1 for 2015 and 2024. Rates for 2015 have been revised and may differ from those published in ‘‘Births: Final Data for 2015”; see Data source and methods in this report.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, natality data file.

Women ages 35–39

The U.S. fertility rate for women ages 35–39 increased 5% to 54.3 births per 1,000 women in 2024 from 51.6 in 2015 (Figure 2, Table 2).
The fertility rate for women in their late 30s increased in 35 states from 2015 to 2024: by 10%–21% in 15 states and 3%–9% in 20 states.
Rates decreased in 5 states and D.C. and did not change significantly for the remaining 10 states.
By state in 2024, the fertility rate for women ages 35–39 ranged from 35.0 (West Virginia) to 74.5 (New Jersey).

Figure 2 is a map showing the percent change in the fertility rate for women ages 35 to 39 for 2015 and 2024 and the fertility rate for 2024 by state.

View Larger

Data table for Figure 2. Percent change in fertility rate for women ages 35–39: United States and each state, 2015 to 2024, and fertility rate in each state, 2024
Area	Fertility rate, ages 35–39¹		Percent change
Area	2015	2024	Percent change
United States²	51.6	54.3	5
Alabama	34.3	39.9	16
Alaska	54.2	53.0	†-2
Arizona	49.4	47.7	-3
Arkansas	34.5	37.2	8
California	63.1	63.3	†0
Colorado	54.8	57.1	4
Connecticut	58.2	66.4	14
Delaware	52.3	52.7	†1
District of Columbia	75.3	63.4	-16
Florida	49.4	53.2	8
Georgia	46.1	48.5	5
Hawaii	66.0	59.4	-10
Idaho	46.2	46.8	†1
Illinois	54.3	56.0	3
Indiana	39.5	46.6	18
Iowa	46.0	48.2	5
Kansas	45.2	48.4	7
Kentucky	36.3	43.1	19
Louisiana	38.2	42.6	12
Maine	41.0	45.9	12
Maryland	59.4	62.6	5
Massachusetts	65.8	68.9	5
Michigan	44.2	48.9	11
Minnesota	56.4	59.5	5
Mississippi	31.8	35.9	13
Missouri	41.5	43.8	6
Montana	45.7	49.8	9
Nebraska	52.9	56.5	7
Nevada	50.0	46.9	-6
New Hampshire	48.7	53.0	9
New Jersey	64.8	74.5	15
New Mexico	41.1	41.1	†0
New York	63.9	66.3	4
North Carolina	45.2	51.8	15
North Dakota	48.5	52.3	†8
Ohio	43.6	47.9	10
Oklahoma	37.7	40.3	7
Oregon	49.9	48.3	-3
Pennsylvania	50.1	53.3	6
Rhode Island	54.1	55.7	†3
South Carolina	42.1	46.3	10
South Dakota	45.3	53.6	18
Tennessee	38.0	45.9	21
Texas	49.6	51.6	4
Utah	55.7	51.4	-8
Vermont	51.6	52.0	†1
Virginia	55.8	58.5	5
Washington	55.6	55.2	†-1
West Virginia	30.4	35.0	15
Wisconsin	47.5	51.2	8
Wyoming	41.5	40.8	†-2

† Difference not statistically significant.
¹Number of births to women ages 35–39 per 1,000 women 35–39.
²Includes data for states and District of Columbia.
NOTES: Data are by place of residence. Fertility rates are births per 1,000 women ages 35–39 in each area. Rates are based on population estimates as of July 1 for 2015 and 2024. Rates for 2015 have been revised and may differ from those published in ‘‘Births: Final Data for 2015”; see Data source and methods in this report.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, natality data file.

Women age 40 and older

The U.S. fertility rate for women 40 and older increased 24% from 5.8 births per 1,000 women in 2015 to 7.2 in 2024 (Figure 3, Table 3).
The fertility rate for women 40 and older increased in 46 states from 2015 to 2024: by 35%–70% in 14 states, 20%–33% in 19 states, and 7%–19% in 13 states. Rates did not change significantly for the remaining 4 states and D.C.
In 2024, the rate for women 40 and older ranged by state from 3.3 (West Virginia) to 13.6 (D.C.).

View Larger

Data table for Figure 3. Percent change in fertility rate for women age 40 and older: United States and each state, 2015 to 2024, and fertility rate in each state, 2024
Area	Fertility rate, ages 40–49¹		Percent change
Area	2015	2024	Percent change
United States²	5.8	7.2	24
Alabama	3.1	4.5	45
Alaska	5.8	7.7	33
Arizona	5.7	6.1	7
Arkansas	3.3	4.3	30
California	8.4	9.6	14
Colorado	6.1	7.3	20
Connecticut	6.0	8.5	42
Delaware	5.0	7.8	56
District of Columbia	13.1	13.6	†4
Florida	5.8	7.5	29
Georgia	5.3	6.5	23
Hawaii	8.6	9.7	13
Idaho	5.2	6.1	17
Illinois	6.0	6.9	15
Indiana	4.0	5.4	35
Iowa	4.0	5.3	33
Kansas	4.6	5.4	17
Kentucky	3.4	4.6	35
Louisiana	3.9	5.0	28
Maine	3.5	5.7	63
Maryland	7.0	9.2	31
Massachusetts	6.9	9.0	30
Michigan	4.2	5.3	26
Minnesota	5.5	7.3	33
Mississippi	2.8	3.8	36
Missouri	3.7	4.9	32
Montana	4.9	5.3	†8
Nebraska	5.5	6.5	18
Nevada	6.0	6.5	8
New Hampshire	4.2	6.0	43
New Jersey	7.4	9.8	32
New Mexico	4.3	5.1	19
New York	8.3	10.5	27
North Carolina	4.6	6.2	35
North Dakota	4.5	5.7	27
Ohio	4.0	5.2	30
Oklahoma	4.0	4.5	13
Oregon	5.8	6.3	9
Pennsylvania	4.7	6.4	36
Rhode Island	5.2	7.2	38
South Carolina	4.1	5.7	39
South Dakota	4.8	5.8	21
Tennessee	3.8	5.5	45
Texas	5.9	6.8	15
Utah	6.4	6.5	†2
Vermont	3.7	6.3	70
Virginia	6.3	8.0	27
Washington	6.4	7.6	19
West Virginia	2.9	3.3	†14
Wisconsin	4.3	5.6	30
Wyoming	4.4	4.5	†2

† Difference not statistically significant.
¹Number of births to women age 40 and older per 1,000 women 40–49.
²Includes data for states and District of Columbia.
NOTES: Data are by place of residence. Fertility rates are births per 1,000 women age 40 and older in each area. Rates are based on population estimates as of July 1 for 2015 and 2024. Rates for 2015 have been revised; see Data source and methods in this report.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, natality data file.

Summary

During 2015 to 2024, fertility rates decreased for women ages 30–34 in 37 states and D.C., while rates increased for women 35–39 in 35 states and for women 40–49 in 46 states.

Fertility rates for women 30 and older varied widely by state in 2024. Among women ages 30–34, rates ranged from 60.1 to 122.5 per 1,000, and among those 35–39, from 35.0 to 74.5—more than a twofold difference in both groups. For women 40 and older, rates ranged from 3.3 to 13.6, representing a more than fourfold difference.

The trends shown in this report for the decade 2015 to 2024 are consistent with longer historical increases in fertility rates among women 35 and older. Longer-term trends have been more variable for women 30–34 (2–4,6). Provisional birth data for 2025 suggest that declines in births to women younger than 35 and increases in births to women 35 and older continue (7).

Definitions

Fertility rate for women ages 30–34: Number of births to women 30–34 per 1,000 women 30–34.

Fertility rate for women ages 35–39: Number of births to women 35–39 per 1,000 women 35–39.

Fertility rate for women age 40 and older: Number of births to women 40 and older per 1,000 women 40–49.

Data source and methods

This report uses data from the 2015 and 2024 natality file of the National Vital Statistics System. The vital statistics natality file is based on information from U.S. birth certificates and includes information for all births occurring in the United States.

Fertility rates shown for women ages 30–39 in this report are presented by 5-year age groups, 30–34 and 35–39. The fertility rate for women 40 and older is presented for the 10-year age group 40–49, which combines 40–44 and 45 and older because of the comparatively smaller number of births to women in the older age group. Most births occurring to women 40 and older were to women 40–49, totaling more than 99% in 2015 and 2024 (2,4).

Rates for 2024 will be published in “Births: Final Data for 2024” and are available through CDC WONDER (2,7,8). Rates for 2015 have been revised using the intercensal population estimates for 2015, developed from a base that integrates the 2010 Census, 2020 Census, Vintage 2020 estimates, and 2020 Demographic Analysis estimates. These revised rates may differ from those published in “Births: Final Data for 2015,” which were based on postcensal population estimates derived from the 2010 Census (4,9).

For consistency, rates for 2015 are presented using the new National Center for Health Statistics criteria for showing rates that were adopted beginning with 2023 data (10).

References to percent changes (increases or decreases in rates) are based on pairwise comparisons of rates tested using a two-tailed z test at p < 0.05. All changes are statistically significant unless otherwise noted.

About the author

Brady E. Hamilton is with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics.

References

Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJK. Births in the United States, 2024. NCHS Data Brief. 2025 Jul;(535):1–8. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/174613.
Osterman MJK, Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Driscoll AK, Valenzuela CP. Births: Final data for 2024. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2026. [Forthcoming].
Osterman MJK, Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Driscoll AK, Valenzuela CP. Births: Final data for 2023. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2025 Mar;74(1):1–87. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/175204.
Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJ, Driscoll AK, Mathews TJ. Births: Final data for 2015. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2017 Jan;66(1):1–70. PMID: 28135188.
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital statistics of the United States, 2003, volume I, natality. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/vsus/vsus_1980_2003.htm.
Driscoll AK, Hamilton BE. Effects of age-specific fertility trends on overall fertility trends: United States, 1990–2023. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2025 Mar;74(3):1–11. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/174576.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC WONDER. Natality information: Live births. Available from: https://wonder.cdc.gov/natality.html.
U.S. Census Bureau. State population by characteristics: 2020–2024. Datasets: Annual state resident population estimates for 6 race groups (5 race alone groups and two or more races) by age, sex, and Hispanic origin: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 (SC-EST2024-ALLDATA6). 2025. Available from: https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-detail.html.
U.S. Census Bureau. Annual intercensal state resident population estimates for 6 race groups (5 race alone groups and two or more races) by age, sex, and Hispanic origin: April 1, 2010 to April 1, 2020 (SC-EST2020INT-ALLDATA6). Available from: https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2010-2020/intercensal/state/asrh/sc-est2020int-alldata6.csv.
National Center for Health Statistics. User guide to the 2024 natality public use file. Available from: https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Dataset_Documentation/DVS/natality/UserG uide2024.pdf.

Suggested citation

Hamilton BE. A decade of changes in state fertility rates for women age 30 and older: United States, 2015–2024. NCHS Data Brief. 2026 Apr;(556):1─11. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/252435.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health Statistics

Carolyn M. Greene, M.D., Acting Director
Amy M. Branum, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Division of Vital Statistics

Paul D. Sutton, Ph.D., Director
Andrés A. Berruti, Ph.D., M.A., Associate Director for Science