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ST. PETERSBURG — Apparently the beaches, sunsets and warm weather aren't enough to keep the romance alive.
Or perhaps this area is simply a popular refuge for the divorced.
Whatever the case, census statistics released this week show that Pinellas County has one of the highest percentages of divorced residents in the country. It's tied for seventh, one of four U.S. counties where 16.3 percent of the population is divorced. That 2008 number is up from 15.4 percent in 2007 and 14.9 percent in 2006.
Why the boom in Pinellas? Everyone seems to have a theory.
"The economy in the Tampa Bay area has suffered more than a lot of other areas," said Tarpon Springs divorce lawyer Bill Beck. "When couples run short on money, they run short on patience as well."
Another contributing factor, Beck said, is Florida's no-fault divorce law, which makes it easier to end a marriage. Someone filing for divorce can claim the marriage is broken with little explanation. There is also no required separation period.
Florida counties, in fact, figure prominently in the top 10, along with Indiana counties. Monroe County, which includes Key West, has the second-highest proportion of divorced residents. This might add to the notion that people escaping to paradise are more likely to be divorced or headed for divorce.
But what about Putnam County? The rural North Florida county, known for agriculture and wildlife, is tied for seventh place with the more dense, urban Pinellas.
"You could almost understand Monroe County because of all the people who move to the Keys, the ex-hippies," said Colleen Ford, who works in court operational services at the Pinellas clerk of court's office, which handles divorces. "It's a different lifestyle down there. But Putnam County … Palatka? I don't get that at all."
Hillsborough County, by the way, did not crack the top 50 with its divorced population of 13 percent. Neither did Pasco with 12 percent nor Hernando with 11.
Indiana's Wayne County topped the list with 19 percent, and two other Indiana counties — Floyd and Madison — made the top 10 list. Nationwide, 10.7 percent of people older than 15 are divorced.
Newly released census figures also show that while the number of unmarried people continued its 10-year climb, the ranks of married people in the United States rose by nearly 6 million last year, bucking a decadelong decline. The number of divorced people rose, but only slightly.
Again, no explanations for these numbers.
The economy seems a likely culprit, as lost jobs, foreclosures and money troubles can lead to marital strife. But some also believe fewer couples divorce during recessions because it's costly.
Ford noted that last year, when these recent census numbers were taken, Pinellas saw almost 300 fewer divorces than in 2007. But the census doesn't distinguish between how many residents were here and how many were divorced when they moved here.
Gary Mormino, a Florida studies professor at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, noted that Pinellas is "an unusual county."
"You have a lot of senior citizens and fewer children than in other counties," Mormino said. "I'm not sure there's a correlation with the divorce statistics, though."
Beck said most people believe the divorce rate is highest among young couples. But he's seeing more and more divorces among those married for 30, 40 and 50 years who "suddenly realize they hate each other."
These guys might be on to something.
A few years ago, the U.S. Census Bureau reported data showing that Clearwater had the highest percentage of divorced residents (tied with Dayton, Ohio, and Lauderhill) among cities with 65,000 or more people.
Clearwater also has another distinction, which may or may not be related but is worth considering.
It has the highest number of elderly people per capita in the country.
Emily Nipps can be reached at nipps@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8452.
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