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America’s Worst Cities for Singles

America’s Worst Cities for Singles

Nearly half of Americans over the age of 15, or about 130 million, are single, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Marriage rates among the young are falling, according to the Institute for Family Studies. About 36% of adults under 65 today have never been married, compared to 26% in 1990. Even though an increasing number of people choose to not get married, that doesn’t mean they don’t want or like to be in a relationship.

But finding the right partner is a tricky endeavor, especially if you are looking at the wrong place or have few options to choose from. Some cities encourage dating simply by having more nightlife options as well as fun sights to visit during the day; others either don’t have so many or they cost too much.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the portion of the adult population who is single in all U.S. metro areas, the concentration of restaurants and bars, and income levels to determine the worst cities for singles. Less than half of the adult population in all 25 cities on the following list is single. And the annual personal income in all of them as well is is below the national average. The cities offer less than the national average number or places for social interaction per capita.

Source: RobHainer / Getty Images

25. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida
> Single population: 49.7%
> Total 15+ population: 530,507
> Annual personal income: $34,857
> Cost of living: 7.1% less than the national average

Source: washuotaku / Flickr

24. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, North Carolina
> Single population: 45.3%
> Total 15+ population: 300,794
> Annual personal income: $40,747
> Cost of living: 13.3% less than the national average

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

23. Laredo, Texas
> Single population: 49.8%
> Total 15+ population: 193,020
> Annual personal income: $32,222
> Cost of living: 10.9% less than the national average

Source: Ifistand / Getty Images

22. Clarksville, Tennessee
> Single population: 44.9%
> Total 15+ population: 214,243
> Annual personal income: $41,218
> Cost of living: 9.6% less than the national average

Source: Jeffrey Schreier / Getty Images

21. Decatur, Alabama
> Single population: 45.0%
> Total 15+ population: 123,876
> Annual personal income: $41,078
> Cost of living: 15.7% less than the national average

Source: greeleygov / Flickr

20. Greeley, Colorado
> Single population: 43.1%
> Total 15+ population: 221,197
> Annual personal income: $42,597
> Cost of living: 0.8% less than the national average

Source: Zereshk / Wikimedia Commons

19. Prescott, Arizona
> Single population: 44.3%
> Total 15+ population: 189,802
> Annual personal income: $36,614
> Cost of living: 4.4% less than the national average

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

18. Morristown, Tennessee
> Single population: 44.8%
> Total 15+ population: 95,419
> Annual personal income: $41,844
> Cost of living: 20.5% less than the national average

Source: AngelMcNallphotography / Getty Images

17. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, Arizona
> Single population: 47.7%
> Total 15+ population: 174,184
> Annual personal income: $31,589
> Cost of living: 8.2% less than the national average

Source: mcpuckette / Getty Images

16. Fort Smith, Arkansas, Oklahoma
> Single population: 45.1%
> Total 15+ population: 224,458
> Annual personal income: $39,825
> Cost of living: 15.4% less than the national average

Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

15. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
> Single population: 42.3%
> Total 15+ population: 84,590
> Annual personal income: $45,440
> Cost of living: 3.9% less than the national average

Source: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) / Wikimedia Commons

14. Hinesville, Georgia
> Single population: 44.6%
> Total 15+ population: 59,898
> Annual personal income: $33,852
> Cost of living: 9.7% less than the national average

Source: Photoladybug / Getty Images

13. Punta Gorda, Florida
> Single population: 43.6%
> Total 15+ population: 155,406
> Annual personal income: $40,320
> Cost of living: 5.3% less than the national average

Source: Warren-Pender / Getty Images

12. Sebring, Florida
> Single population: 44.2%
> Total 15+ population: 85,587
> Annual personal income: $38,248
> Cost of living: 17.4% less than the national average

Source: kenlund / Flickr

11. Logan, Utah
> Single population: 42.4%
> Total 15+ population: 98,285
> Annual personal income: $37,401
> Cost of living: 8.9% less than the national average

Source: DavieJones13 / Getty Images

10. Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas
> Single population: 47.8%
> Total 15+ population: 310,732
> Annual personal income: $31,569
> Cost of living: 16.2% less than the national average

Source: DavidByronKeener / Getty Images

9. Idaho Falls, Idaho
> Single population: 39.2%
> Total 15+ population: 102,760
> Annual personal income: $44,785
> Cost of living: 10.2% less than the national average

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

8. Dalton, Georgia
> Single population: 44.0%
> Total 15+ population: 112,025
> Annual personal income: $39,283
> Cost of living: 16.6% less than the national average

Source: Panida Jittham / Getty Images

7. Yuma, Arizona
> Single population: 42.5%
> Total 15+ population: 160,012
> Annual personal income: $35,135
> Cost of living: 8.6% less than the national average

Source: tirc83 / Getty Images

6. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
> Single population: 46.5%
> Total 15+ population: 603,493
> Annual personal income: $28,943
> Cost of living: 15.5% less than the national average

Source: kenlund / Flickr

5. St. George, Utah
> Single population: 38.9%
> Total 15+ population: 119,610
> Annual personal income: $35,283
> Cost of living: 5.4% less than the national average

Source: kenlund / Flickr

4. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
> Single population: 39.3%
> Total 15+ population: 471,902
> Annual personal income: $40,928
> Cost of living: 4.9% less than the national average

Source: Spenser A / Getty Images

3. Provo-Orem, Utah
> Single population: 40.2%
> Total 15+ population: 415,089
> Annual personal income: $37,126
> Cost of living: 3.2% less than the national average

Source: Michael Warren / Getty Images

2. The Villages, Florida
> Single population: 34.5%
> Total 15+ population: 109,591
> Annual personal income: $43,974
> Cost of living: 6.9% less than the national average

Source: jopoe / Flickr

1. Enid, Oklahoma
> Single population: 43.5%
> Total 15+ population: 48,524
> Annual personal income: $46,774
> Cost of living: 9.6% less than the national average

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