SmartAsset examined 119 of the largest U.S. cities across marriage, singlehood and divorce rates, as well as the ratio of single men to women, to determine where the most people are either single or married.
Posted
Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP
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Marital and singlehood trends vary dramatically across U.S. cities. Nationally, married and never-married adults are almost evenly split at around 41% each, but that balance shifts substantially depending on where you are. In some cities, just 22.4% of the population is married, while in others, it's as high as 55.9%.
The singles landscape varies just as much, with unmarried adults making up anywhere from 28.3% to 58.5% of a city's population. And among singles, the gender ratio isn't always even—while some cities have more single women, it's more common for single men to outnumber them. Meanwhile, the median divorce rate sits at 11%.
With a person's relationship status able to impact their financial lives—from their tax filing status to their daily expenses to insurance and estate planning and more—SmartAsset examined 119 of the largest U.S. cities across marriage, singlehood and divorce rates, as well as the ratio of single men to women.
Key Findings
58.5% of people are single in Rochester, NY. With the most single people relative to the population size, single men slightly outnumber single women at 102.4 to 100. The median age in this city is 34.2—about five years younger than the national median. Boston, MA has the second highest rate of singlehood at 57.4%, with Detroit ranking third in this statistics at 57.2%.
There are one and a half single men for every single woman in Oceanside, CA. Oceanside has the highest relative population of single men to single women at 152.7 to 100, outdoing Miami's ratio of 138 single men per 100 single women. Across Oceanside, 33.4% of people are single, 47.3% are married, and 12.1% are divorced.
Single women outnumber single men at the highest rate in New Orleans, LA. For every 100 single women in NOLA, there are 85.3 single men. 46.1% of people have never been married, while 33.6% are married and 12.9% are divorced. Last year, Birmingham, AL had the fewest single men relative to women at 81.9 per 100.
In five cities, more than half of the population is married. Plano City, TX, has the highest married population rate at 55.9%. Colorado Springs, CO (52.9%); Chesapeake, VA (52.7%); Chula Vista, CA (50.5%); and Garland, TX (50.1%) round out the five cities with the highest rates of marriage.
This city has the highest rate of divorce at 15.7%. Besides ranking highest in divorce, Columbus, GA also has a near even split of single men to women at 100.5 to 100. 38% of people are married, and 38.2% have never been married.
Top 10 Cities With the Most Single Men Compared to Women
SmartAsset
Cities are ranked based on the ratio of unmarried men 15 to 44 years per 100 unmarried women 15 to 44 years.
Oceanside, California
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 152.7
Married: 47.3%
Widowed: 5%
Divorced: 12.1%
Separated: 2.3%
Single (never married): 33.4%
Total population: 170,042
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 141.5
Married: 42%
Widowed: 5.6%
Divorced: 12.3%
Separated: 2.6%
Single (never married): 37.5%
Total population: 209,751
Paradise, Nevada
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 137.1
Married: 35.2%
Widowed: 5.2%
Divorced: 14.3%
Separated: 2%
Single (never married): 43.3%
Total population: 177,413
Spring Valley, Nevada
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 131.4
Married: 43.2%
Widowed: 5.3%
Divorced: 13.8%
Separated: 1.8%
Single (never married): 36%
Total population: 198,326
Chula Vista, California
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 127.5
Married: 50.5%
Widowed: 4.7%
Divorced: 8.3%
Separated: 1.6%
Single (never married): 34.8%
Total population: 274,344
Pueblo, Colorado
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 125.8
Married: 40.6%
Widowed: 7.1%
Divorced: 14.4%
Separated: 2.3%
Single (never married): 35.6%
Total population: 111,081
Garland, Texas
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 125.2
Married: 50.1%
Widowed: 3.9%
Divorced: 8.2%
Separated: 1.8%
Single (never married): 36.0%
Total population: 243,536
San Jose, California
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 123.9
Married: 48.1%
Widowed: 4.8%
Divorced: 7.3%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 38.3%
Total population: 969,615
Anchorage, Alaska
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 123.5
Married: 48.2%
Widowed: 3%
Divorced: 12.4%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 34.9%
Total population: 286,075
Austin, Texas
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 122.3
Married: 40.9%
Widowed: 2.7%
Divorced: 9%
Separated: 1.2%
Single (never married): 46.2%
Total population: 979,700
Top 10 Cities With the Most Single Women Compared to Men
Cities are ranked based on the ratio of unmarried men 15 to 44 years per 100 unmarried women 15 to 44 years.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 85.3
Married: 33.6%
Widowed: 5.3%
Divorced: 12.9%
Separated: 2.1%
Single (never married): 46.1%
Total population: 364,136
Washington, D.C.
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 86.4
Married: 32.4%
Widowed: 3.5%
Divorced: 8.1%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 54.4%
Total population: 678,972
Baltimore, Maryland
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 86.4
Married: 27.6%
Widowed: 5.3%
Divorced: 11%
Separated: 2.4%
Single (never married): 53.8%
Total population: 565,239
Mobile, Alabama
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 86.8
Married: 33.8%
Widowed: 7.8%
Divorced: 12.7%
Separated: 2.2%
Single (never married): 43.5%
Total population: 182,594
Greensboro, North Carolina
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 87.4
Married: 35.1%
Widowed: 5.1%
Divorced: 10.4%
Separated: 2%
Single (never married): 47.3%
Total population: 302,307
Glendale, Arizona
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 90.4
Married: 48.0%
Widowed: 4.4%
Divorced: 11.3%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 34.9%
Total population: 253,868
Boston, Massachusetts
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 90.7
Married: 29.7%
Widowed: 3.4%
Divorced: 7.5%
Separated: 2%
Single (never married): 57.4%
Total population: 652,442
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 91.2
Married: 33.6%
Widowed: 5.6%
Divorced: 9%
Separated: 2.4%
Single (never married): 49.4%
Total population: 1,550,542
Memphis, Tennessee
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 91.3
Married: 30.1%
Widowed: 5.8%
Divorced: 11.9%
Separated: 3.6%
Single (never married): 48.7%
Total population: 618,655
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 92
Married: 32.3%
Widowed: 4.7%
Divorced: 7.3%
Separated: 1.4%
Single (never married): 54.3%
Total population: 303,254
10 Cities With the Most Single People
Cities are ranked based on the percentage of the population aged 15 and over that has never been married.
Rochester, New York
Single (never married): 58.5%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 102.4
Married: 22.4%
Widowed: 4.2%
Divorced: 11.9%
Separated: 3%
Total population: 207,264
Boston, Massachusetts
Single (never married): 57.4%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 90.7
Married: 29.7%
Widowed: 3.4%
Divorced: 7.5%
Separated: 2%
Total population: 652,442
Detroit, Michigan
Single (never married): 57.2%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 92.7
Married: 22.9%
Widowed: 5.5%
Divorced: 11.9%
Separated: 2.5%
Total population: 633,221
Newark, New Jersey
Single (never married): 56.1%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 106.2
Married: 26%
Widowed: 5%
Divorced: 9.1%
Separated: 3.9%
Total population: 304,943
Cleveland, Ohio
Single (never married): 54.9%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 94.5
Married: 22.7%
Widowed: 5.9%
Divorced: 13.9%
Separated: 2.6%
Total population: 362,670
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Single (never married): 54.8%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 96.8
Married: 30.4%
Widowed: 3.8%
Divorced: 9%
Separated: 1.9%
Total population: 561,369
Washington, D.C.
Single (never married): 54.4%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 86.4
Married: 32.4%
Widowed: 3.5%
Divorced: 8.1%
Separated: 1.5%
Total population: 678,972
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Single (never married): 54.3%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 92.0
Married: 32.3%
Widowed: 4.7%
Divorced: 7.3%
Separated: 1.4%
Total population: 303,254
Atlanta, Georgia
Single (never married): 54.3%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 92.7
Married: 30%
Widowed: 3.3%
Divorced: 10.8%
Separated: 1.6%
Total population: 510,826
Cincinnati, Ohio
Single (never married): 53.9%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 96.4
Married: 29.6%
Widowed: 5%
Divorced: 10.1%
Separated: 1.4%
Total population: 311,112
10 Cities With the Most Married People
Cities are ranked based on the percentage of the population aged 15 and over that is now married.
Plano, Texas
Married: 55.9%
Widowed: 4.4%
Divorced: 8.6%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 29.6%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 107.3
Total population: 288,228
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Married: 52.9%
Widowed: 4.4%
Divorced: 11.2%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 30.0%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 121
Total population: 488,670
Chesapeake, Virginia
Married: 52.7%
Widowed: 5.8%
Divorced: 9.6%
Separated: 2%
Single (never married): 30%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 106.5
Total population: 253,886
Chula Vista, California
Married: 50.5%
Widowed: 4.7%
Divorced: 8.3%
Separated: 1.6%
Single (never married): 34.8%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 127.5
Total population: 274,344
Garland, Texas
Married: 50.1%
Widowed: 3.9%
Divorced: 8.2%
Separated: 1.8%
Single (never married): 36.0%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 125.2
Total population: 243,536
Henderson, Nevada
Married: 49.8%
Widowed: 5.2%
Divorced: 15.1%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 28.3%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 102.9
Total population: 337,280
Irvine, California
Married: 49.7%
Widowed: 2.6%
Divorced: 6.7%
Separated: 1%
Single (never married): 39.9%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 98.5
Total population: 314,615
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Married: 49.7%
Widowed: 5.2%
Divorced: 10.9%
Separated: 1.3%
Single (never married): 32.9%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 108.7
Total population: 453,649
Anchorage, Alaska
Married: 48.2%
Widowed: 3%
Divorced: 12.4%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 34.9%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 123.5
Total population: 286,075
San Jose, California
Married: 48.1%
Widowed: 4.8%
Divorced: 7.3%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 38.3%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 123.9
Total population: 969,615
Top 10 Cities With the Most Divorces
Cities are ranked based on the percentage of the population aged 15 years and over that is divorced.
Columbus, Georgia
Divorced: 15.7%
Married: 38%
Widowed: 5.6%
Separated: 2.4%
Single (never married): 38.2%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 100.5
Total population: 201,877
Spokane, Washington
Divorced: 15.3%
Married: 42.3%
Widowed: 5.5%
Separated: 0.7%
Single (never married): 36.2%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 119.8
Total population: 229,451
Toledo, Ohio
Divorced: 15.2%
Married: 33.4%
Widowed: 5.1%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 44.8%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 102.8
Total population: 265,306
Henderson, Nevada
Divorced: 15.1%
Married: 49.8%
Widowed: 5.2%
Separated: 1.5%
Single (never married): 28.3%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 102.9
Total population: 337,280
Vancouver, Washington
Divorced: 14.9%
Married: 43.7%
Widowed: 5.9%
Separated: 1.3%
Single (never married): 34.2%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 106.7
Total population: 196,441
Augusta, Georgia
Divorced: 14.6%
Married: 31.9%
Widowed: 5.2%
Separated: 3.3%
Single (never married): 44.9%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 107.8
Total population: 202,629
St. Petersburg, Florida
Divorced: 14.5%
Married: 42.1%
Widowed: 5.7%
Separated: 1.6%
Single (never married): 36.1%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 93.3
Total population: 263,546
Pueblo, Colorado
Divorced: 14.4%
Married: 40.6%
Widowed: 7.1%
Separated: 2.3%
Single (never married): 35.6%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 125.8
Total population: 111,081
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Divorced: 14.4%
Married: 38.8%
Widowed: 5.4%
Separated: 1.2%
Single (never married): 40.1%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 111.8
Total population: 560,283
Paradise, Nevada
Divorced: 14.3%
Married: 35.2%
Widowed: 5.2%
Separated: 2%
Single (never married): 43.3%
Ratio of unmarried men per 100 unmarried women: 137.1
Total population: 177,413
Data and Methodology
Data for this SmartAsset study comes from the U.S. Census Bureau 1-Year American Community Survey for 2023. 119 Cities with populations of 100,000 or more for which data was available were considered. Variables observed include marital status of the population age 15 and older, including married, separated, widowed, divorced and never married. The ratio of unmarried men aged 15 to 44 to that of 100 unmarried women aged 15 to 44 was also considered.
