More Idaho babies are being born outside of marriage than ever before, and the state's marriage rate is at a 60-year low, that's according to a recent report from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
The latest Vital Statistics Annual Report is for 2012 and it covers everything from births, population, marriages, and deaths.
After three years of decline, more babies were born in 2012. The number of live births in Idaho went up by 630 babies, that's a 2.8 percent increase. The number of babies born outside of marriage is now at its highest level at 27.3 percent.
Idaho's growth rate was about average. The population grew by 1.8 percent in 2012, or by a little more than 28,000 people.
Idaho's most popular baby names in 2012 include Sophia, Olivia, and Emma for girls, and Liam, William, and Mason for boys.
Idaho's marriage rate is at its lowest level in 60 years. The number of marriages decreased by 582. At the same time, divorces were down, too, by 2.3 percent.
Idaho's death rate is almost flat. Just three more people died in 2012, compared to 2011. The top causes of death were cancer, heart disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, and accidents.
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