If you’re a single woman living in Washington, D.C., the dating odds might not be in your favor.
According to a 2019 analysis by the U.S. Census Bureau, D.C. had just 80 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women—the lowest ratio in the country. Contrast that with Alaska, where there are 117 unmarried men for every 100 women, and you start to see just how much geography can influence your dating pool.
The study looked at adults aged 18 and up who were never married, divorced, or widowed—regardless of sexual orientation. This “unmarried population” paints a unique picture of America’s marriage market, a term used to describe the pool of eligible partners in any given location.
But it’s not just about numbers. The report also highlights how age, race, location, and economic factors impact who’s looking for love—and where.
Key Insights From the Data
1. There are more single women than men nationally.
For every 100 unmarried women in the U.S., there are only 89.8 unmarried men. This imbalance is more noticeable in urban areas, like Washington, D.C., where women are more likely to be college-educated and career-focused.
2. Men dominate the dating pool in younger age brackets.
The 30-to-34 age group actually had 121 unmarried men for every 100 women, likely because men typically marry later than women.
But by the time we get to age 55 and older, the script flips—there are only 57 unmarried men per 100 women, mostly due to men’s shorter life expectancy.
3. Geography matters—a lot.
States like Alaska and North Dakota, with industries like mining, oil, and military bases, tend to attract more men. Urban areas, by contrast, often see a higher concentration of single women, particularly those who are college-educated.
4. Race and ethnicity reveal more complex gaps.
The Black or African American population had the most uneven ratio—just 79.8 men per 100 women nationally.
But in Alaska, there were a surprising 180 unmarried Black men for every 100 unmarried Black women.
Meanwhile, Asian women in New Mexico faced one of the most lopsided gaps: only 52 unmarried men per 100 unmarried women in their demographic.
5. Employment and education are silent influencers.
Men with jobs, degrees, and higher incomes are more attractive in the dating market. So regions with economically stable and educated male populations offer stronger dating prospects for women—if the numbers are there.
What This Means for Singles
If you’re a woman in D.C., the low number of eligible men means you’re statistically facing a more competitive dating scene. But if you’re open to relocation—or looking for long-distance love—places like Alaska, Nevada, or Wyoming could tip the odds more in your favor.
If you’re a man, particularly in a place where unmarried women outnumber you, your chances of finding a partner may be higher—if you meet the standard that many women in urban areas prioritize: education, emotional maturity, and employment stability.
Bottom Line
The marriage market isn’t just about love—it’s about numbers, and those numbers shift dramatically based on where you live, how old you are, your racial background, and your socioeconomic status.
So if you’ve ever felt like the dating pool seems shallow where you are, you might be right.
Sometimes, it’s not you—it’s geography.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau article, All the Single Ladies: Washington, D.C., Has the Highest Ratio of Unmarried Women to Unmarried Men (2023).
Read the full Census article here