It is the time of the year when love permeates the air, so what better way to get in the mood than to look at some compelling statistics?
Here are some interesting tidbits related to Valentine’s Day, courtesy of the United States Census Bureau and the National Retail Federation.
Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with flowers, chocolates, and possibly a delicious meal at a nice restaurant, of which Dallas has many.
In 2023, 57% of respondents to a National Retail Federation survey said they planned on gifting candy to their valentine, followed by greeting cards (40%), flowers (37%), and an evening out (32%).
Last year, Americans were expected to drop nearly $26 billion on Valentine’s Day, per NRP. On average, in 2023, American adults expected to spend $192.80 each on treating their significant other. Given the current state of inflation, this number could very well be higher this year.
What if you do not have a significant other? While not having a partner on February 14 can feel lonely, you are certainly not alone. Nearly half (46.4%) of all U.S. adults are single. That means almost 118 million Americans, or nearly every other adult you see on the street, are unmarried.
Both marriage and divorce rates in the U.S. have fallen in recent years.
In 2011, 16.3 out of every 1,000 women aged 15 and up were married in the prior 12 months. By 2021, that number slipped to 14.9.
In 2011, 9.7 out of every 1,000 women divorced over the previous 12 months. By 2021, that number had fallen to just 6.9.
When Americans decide to marry, what is their median age, educational background, and employment status?
In the U.S., the median age for a first marriage is 30.5 for males and 28.6 for females. The Lone Star State’s ages are slightly younger: 29.9 for males and 27.8 for females.
One-third of adult Americans who married in the 12 months before the most recent census data was gathered in 2022 held a bachelor’s degree or higher, with 63.5% of those who married during this period participating in the labor force; 11.7% were considered to be living below the poverty line.
