Valentine's Day by the Numbers

From the U.S. Census Bureau

Find fun facts about Valentine's Day—a holiday centuries old that celebrates love—from who sent the first valentine to how many Americans send love messages today.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Related Links Candy Hearts Candy Quiz Famous Love Stories in History Fictional Love Stories Weddings 101 Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gift List

Candy

1,155

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2010, employing 35,074 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 121, followed by Pennsylvania, with 114.

409

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2010. These establishments employed 17,526 people. California led the nation in this category, with 49 establishments.

$13.5 billion

Total value of shipments in 2011 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products.

Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was an $8.8 billion industry.

3,365

Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2010.

24.7 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.

Flowers

16,182

The total number of florists' establishments nationwide in 2010. These businesses employed 70,575 people.

$880,893,904

The value of imports for cut flowers and buds for bouquets in 2011. Flower bouquets are a popular gift for loved ones on Valentine's Day. The total value of fresh cut roses in 2011 was $365,453,189.

Jewelry

23,739

Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2010. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. In February 2012, these stores sold $2.66 billion in merchandise.

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation's 1,453 jewelry manufacturing establishments.

"Please Be Mine"

28.6 and 26.6 years

Median age at first marriage in 2012 for men and women, respectively.

53%

The overall percentage of adults who reported being married.

68.8%

Percentage of people 15 and older in 2012 who had been married at some point in their lives -- either currently or formerly.

38.3

The provisional rate of marriages per 1,000 people performed in Nevada during 2010. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked number one nationally in marriage rates. Hawaii ranked second with a marriage rate of 17.6.

2.1 million

The provisional number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2010. That breaks down to nearly 5,800 a day.

74.5%

The percentage of women who married for the first time between 1990 and 1994, who marked their 10th anniversary. This compares with 83 percent of women who married for the first time between 1960 and 1964.

6.2%

As of 2009, the percentage of currently married women who had been married for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married women had been married for at least 15 years.

Looking for Love

393

The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue.

Try Looking Here . . .

Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine's Day:

Rose City, Texas	Rose City, Mich.	South Heart, N.D.
Loveland, Colo.	Darling, Minn.	Loveland, Ohio
Romeo, Colo.	Sacred Heart, Minn.	Loveland Park, Ohio
Lovejoy, Ga.	Heart Butte, Mont.	Love County, Okla.
Loves Park, Ill.	Valentine, Neb.	Loveland, Okla.
Lovington, Ill.	Lovelock, Nev.	Lovelady, Texas
Romeoville, Ill.	Loving, N.M.	Loving County, Texas
Rosemont, Ill.	Lovington, N.M.	Valentine, Texas
Romeo, Mich.	Love Valley, N.C.	Rose Hill Acres, Texas
Rosemont, Md.

Giving Love a Second Chance

19.5%

Percentage of people ever married twice as of 2011. Five percent have married three or more times. By comparison, 75.3 percent of people who have ever been married have made only one trip down the aisle.

8

Median length, in years, of first marriages that ended in divorce.

3.8 and 3.7

The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage for men and women, respectively. However, the two medians are not significantly different from each other.

9% and 7.9%

Among people 15 and older in 2009, the percentage of men and women, respectively, who had married twice and were still married.

• More Valentine's Day Features