25 Cities That Have Become More Single

Thursday, February 11, 2016
GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team & Graphiq

Guian Bolisay / Flickr

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, many of those without a significant other may feel left out of the festivities. As couples plan dinners or special dates, single people plan intimate time with a bottle of wine, or perhaps other dateless friends.

The holiday may make single people feel as if they are the only ones without plans, or that they have become suddenly surrounded by communities of married couples. But there are some places where the population has actually become more single over time.

MooseRoots looked at data from the The National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) and the Census Bureau to find 25 cities with the largest percent change in single population between the years 1970 and 2014. Only cities with more than 250,000 inhabitants are included.

"Single," or "Never married" in the census includes those who've never entered a marriage and those whose first marriage was annulled. These statistics only consider the population aged 15 and older. A tie between cities is broken by favoring the city whose single population is larger in 2014.

 

#25. Tulsa, OK

Population 395,599
Percent single in 1970: 20.3%
Percent single in 2014: 33.3%

Percent change: 64%

#24. Houston, TX

Population 2,167,988
Percent single in 1970: 23.9%
Percent single in 2014: 39.6%

Percent change: 65.7%

#23. New Orleans, LA

Population 368,471
Percent single in 1970: 28.9%
Percent single in 2014: 48.5%

Percent change: 67.8%

#21. Los Angeles, CA

Population 3,862,210
Percent single in 1970: 27%
Percent single in 2014: 45.5%

Percent change: 68.5%

#22. Buffalo, NY

Population 259,959
Percent single in 1970: 30.2%
Percent single in 2014: 50.9%

Percent change: 68.5%

#20. Oakland, CA

Population 402,339
Percent single in 1970: 26.3%
Percent single in 2014: 44.4%

Percent change: 68.8%

#19. Toledo, OH

Population 283,932
Percent single in 1970: 24.5%
Percent single in 2014: 41.5%

Percent change: 69.4%

#18. Miami, FL

Population 416,432
Percent single in 1970: 23.9%
Percent single in 2014: 40.7%

Percent change: 70.3%

#17. Chicago, IL

Population 2,712,608
Percent single in 1970: 28.5%
Percent single in 2014: 48.6%

Percent change: 70.5%

#16. Phoenix, AZ

Population 1,490,758
Percent single in 1970: 22.6%
Percent single in 2014: 38.6%

Percent change: 70.8%

#15. Sacramento, CA

Population 476,075
Percent single in 1970: 23.5%
Percent single in 2014: 40.3%

Percent change: 71.5%

#14. Newark, NJ

Population 278,750
Percent single in 1970: 30.7%
Percent single in 2014: 53.6%

Percent change: 74.6%

#13. Memphis, TN

Population 656,715
Percent single in 1970: 25.2%
Percent single in 2014: 45.1%

Percent change: 79%

#12. Philadelphia, PA

Population 1,546,920
Percent single in 1970: 28.8%
Percent single in 2014: 51.6%

Percent change: 79.2%

#11. Milwaukee, WI

Population 598,078
Percent single in 1970: 28.6%
Percent single in 2014: 51.4%

Percent change: 79.7%

#10. St. Louis, MO

Population 318,727
Percent single in 1970: 27.4%
Percent single in 2014: 49.4%

Percent change: 80.3%

#9. Dallas, TX

Population 1,240,985
Percent single in 1970: 22.6%
Percent single in 2014: 40.8%

Percent change: 80.5%

#8. Cleveland, OH

Population 392,114
Percent single in 1970: 27.1%
Percent single in 2014: 49.3%

Percent change: 81.9%

#7. Cincinnati, OH

Population 297,117
Percent single in 1970: 28.1%
Percent single in 2014: 51.3%

Percent change: 82.6%

#6. Baltimore, MD

Population 622,271
Percent single in 1970: 28.3%
Percent single in 2014: 51.8%

Percent change: 83%

#5. Santa Ana, CA

Population 331,266
Percent single in 1970: 22.4%
Percent single in 2014: 42%

Percent change: 87.5%

#4. Tampa, FL

Population 348,934
Percent single in 1970: 22%
Percent single in 2014: 41.6%

Percent change: 89.1%

#3. Atlanta, GA

Population 440641
Percent single in 1970: 28%
Percent single in 2014: 53.7%

Percent change: 91.8%

#2. Long Beach, CA

Population 468,594
Percent single in 1970: 23.4%
Percent single in 2014: 44.9%

Percent change: 91.9%

#1. Detroit, MI

Population 695,437
Percent single in 1970: 26.9%
Percent single in 2014: 53.7%

Percent change: 99.6%

Learn About Your City's History on MooseRoots

  • Ice Skating at Worcester Common Oval

    Lace up the skates, grab your lovers hand and glide across the ice surface at Worcester Common. 

    On Valentine's Day, it is buy one, get one free admission. Sounds like a great date. 

    While you are there, be sure to grab some hot chocolate and enjoy an ice skating date.

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  • Horse Draw Sleigh Ride for Two 

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    It's hard to get more romantic than a sleigh ride through Cornerstone Ranch. Maybe even pay a little extra on this special day and get a hot chocolate and s'mores with your ride. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Grab Dessert at Sweet 

    72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

    This establishment is a restaurant, bar, bakery, and pastry shop.  It is known for its delicious dinners and, more importantly, its great desserts.

    Share a dessert with your loved one to close out Valentine's Day. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Valentine's Paint Night at Canal Restaurant 

    65 Water Street

    Let your creative juices flow when Canal Restaurant & Bar hosts Valentine's Paint Night on Saturday, February 13th from 5-7 p.m. 

    Drink and dinner specials will be available afterwards, during or both for your and your loved one to enjoy while painting your own personal master piece. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Winterfest at Old Sturbridge Village 

    1 Old Sturbridge Village Road 

    Winterfest on Valentine's weekend features a chocolate demonstration. See demonstrations of processing chocolate by hand using cacao beans in the manner of ancient Mexico, where chocolate originates. Create Valentines, and "meet" the local woman responsible for the popularity of sending valentines in the United States. 

    A little history lesson for your Valentine's weekend. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Dinner at Via Italian Table 

    89 Shrewsbury St, Worcester

    This restaurant is a great date night location year-round, so expect Valentine's Day to be no exception.  Via's atmosphere is one of rustic elegance, and its friendly waitstaff and excellent service will guarantee a perfect evening with your loved one

    Be sure to request a cozy booth. 

    Click Here for more information. 

     

  • Valentine's Day Blues Bash at Bull Run Restaurant

    215 Great Road

    Dance the night away at Bull Run Restaurant as Jimmy "Two Suit's and his friends play the Blues. 

    Their set list includes songs from Sammy Davis jr., the Temptations and more. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Ice Sculpture Demonstration at Tower Hill Botanic Garden 

    11 French Drive

    Stroll through Botanic Garden hand in hand viewing super cool ice sculptures.

    Sculptors from First Night Boston will showcase their ice sculptures and give a demonstration on Saturday at 1 p.m. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Valentines Day Dance Party with DJ Soup 

    Industrial Bar Room, 109 Water Street 

    Grab your lovers hand and pull him/her to the dance floor and show off your moves while DJ Soup cranks out tunes. 

    The dance party goes from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Tribes at Grandview Playhouse 

    21 Grandview Avenue 

    See a show at the Grandview Playhouse in Worcester. The playhouse currently features the show "Tribes." 

    Born deaf into an argumentative academic family, Billy was pushed to assimilate into the hearing world as best he could by reading lips and staying out of the way. But when a young woman introduces him to the Deaf community, Billy decides it is time his family learns to communicate with him on his terms.

    Click here for tickets 

     

  • EVO Dining 

    234 Chandler St., Worcester

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    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Flying Rhino

    278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

    Maybe you are in a new relationship and not looking for somethign too formal at this point. Or you and your loved one are just looking for a good time?  

    The Flying Rhino is the place you want to be!  This fun Valentine's Day spot has a cool, casual atmosphere, perfect for a more upbeat evening.  There's an impressive variety of martinis and beers, as well as a substantial menu. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • Spa Treatments at Essential Aesthetics Day Spa 

    17 Converse Street, Worcester 

    Relax and treat you and your loved one to spa treatments at the Essential Aesthetics Day Spa. 

    Come out of it feeling completely refreshed and ready to continue the day. 

    Click here for more information. 

     

  • 111 Chop House 

    111 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

    If a classic steakhouse is more your style, you can not go wrong with 111 Chop House. A Chicago-style steakhouse, 111 Chop House has been a foodie favorite in Worcester for years.

    Click here for more information. 

     
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