How American Couples Met Over the Past Century Has Chagned Drastically

The way Americans meet romantic partners has changed dramatically over the past century. In earlier decades, relationships were far more likely to begin through family, school, friends, neighbors, religious communities, or work. Those familiar routes did not disappear, but their importance shifted as American life and technology evolved.

The most dramatic change came with the internet. Online introductions grew from a minor category into the leading way couples met, allowing people to connect beyond their workplaces, neighborhoods, and existing social circles. Friends, schools, coworkers, bars, restaurants, and other traditional meeting places still matter, but none holds the position it once did.

This slideshow traces estimates from the 1930s through 2026, revealing how Americans met their romantic partners. The 2025 and 2026 figures are projections based on earlier trends, not findings from newly completed surveys.

Note: “Online” can include dating websites and apps, social media, gaming platforms, online communities, and other internet-based introductions. These percentages describe how couples first connected, not how Americans divide their daily time.

• Family: 22.40%
• School: 21.67%
• Friends: 19.48%
• Neighbors: 11.12%
• Church: 9.66%
• Bar/Restaurant: 8.27%
• College: 3.95%
• Coworkers: 3.45%
• Online: 0%

• Family: 21.40%
• School: 19.33%
• Friends: 21.84%
• Neighbors: 10.11%
• Church: 7.92%
• Bar/Restaurant: 9.19%
• College: 4.92%
• Coworkers: 5.29%
• Online: 0%

• Family: 20.11%
• School: 17.17%
• Friends: 23.56%
• Neighbors: 8.86%
• Church: 6.52%
• Bar/Restaurant: 10.73%
• College: 5.62%
• Coworkers: 7.43%
• Online: 0%

• Family: 18.16%
• School: 14..64%
• Friends: 24.97%
• Neighbors: 7.41%
• Church: 5.67%
• Bar/Restaurant: 12.84%
• College: 5.82%
• Coworkers: 10.48%
• Online: 0%

• Family: 16.03%
• School: 11.94%
• Friends: 26.20%
• Neighbors: 6.76%
• Church: 5.50%
• Bar/Restaurant: 14.17%
• College: 5.98%
• Coworkers: 13.42%
• Online: 0%

• Family: 14.52%
• School: 10.17%
• Friends: 26.71%
• Neighbors: 6.57%
• Church: 5.49%
• Bar/Restaurant: 14.69%
• College: 6.74%
• Coworkers: 15.06%
• Online: 0.04%

• Family: 12.81%
• School: 8.98%
• Friends: 27.17%
• Neighbors: 6.57%
• Church: 5.40%
• Bar/Restaurant: 14.04%
• College: 7.75%
• Coworkers: 15.90%
• Online: 1.38%

• Family: 10.53%
• School: 7.79%
• Friends: 26.94%
• Neighbors: 6.16%
• Church: 5.06%
• Bar/Restaurant: 12.20%
• College: 8.02%
• Coworkers: 14.24%
• Online: 9.06%

• Family: 7.84%
• School: 5.91%
• Friends: 22.01%
• Neighbors: 3.48%
• Church: 4.24%
• Bar/Restaurant: 9.41%
• College: 5.31%
• Coworkers: 11.03%
• Online: 30.78%

• Family: 4.52%
• School: 3.33%
• Friends: 13.86%
• Neighbors: 1.28%
• Church: 2.12%
• Bar/Restaurant: 4.91%
• College: 0.74%
• Coworkers: 8.48%
• Online: 60.76%

• Family: 4.28%
• School: 3.14%
• Friends: 13.23%
• Neighbors: 1.16%
• Church: 1.98%
• Bar/Restaurant: 4.60%
• College: 0.61%
• Coworkers: 8.26%
• Online: 62.74%

• Family: 4.05%
• School: 2.97%
• Friends: 12.64%
• Neighbors: 1.05%
• Church: 1.85%
• Bar/Restaurant: 4.31%
• College: 0.50%
• Coworkers: 8.05%
• Online: 64.58%

Going through these slides, you may have noticed an alarming pattern. Every decade, Americans are spending more time online instead of living in the moment with family, friends, coworkers, and community members. This is greatly affecting us. Being online too much can affect your physical and mental health. Research has shown that excessive screen time can lead to an increase in anxiety, stress, weight gain, and poor sleeping habits. To decrease your chances of developing these problems, reduce your screen time.