12 of the Worst States to be Single, According to a New Study
I hate to break it to you, but even if you’ve got the looks, the personality, the interests, and that enviable job title that screams, “I’m ready to mingle,” none of it matters if the place you’re living has no dating scene. Location can make or break your romantic life.
Sure, there are tons of dating apps and matchmaking sites out there, but if you’re searching in the wrong place, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. Dating in some places feels like trying to land a job in a tough economy—frustrating and full of dead ends.
It’s also a numbers game. The more singles there are around, the better your chances. A recent study by WalltHub found that Florida is the top state for singles. Why? Well, it’s got sun-soaked beaches, exciting theme parks, and a population full of people who are all about finding that special someone. Let’s break down the states where being single isn’t just hard—it’s almost impossible.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, the average marriage stretches an impressive 22.6 years. But if you’re single, don’t expect it to be easy. With one of the oldest populations in the U.S. and limited opportunities for younger folks, it’s slim pickings out here.
The Mountain State ranks near the bottom for online dating options, and life in its charming small towns, while steeped in tradition, doesn’t offer the buzz of bigger cities. Plus, when you’ve got the lowest median household income, swiping right might not top your to-do list.
North Dakota
Finding love in North Dakota might feel like a hopeless feat. It ranks near the bottom for romance, fun, and dating opportunities despite having decent dating economics. With the second-fewest restaurants per capita and a gender imbalance among singles, your chances of finding that special someone might feel as isolated as the prairie towns.
Honestly, it seems like solitude is just part of life here. With towns spread far apart and neighbors a good drive away, some locals embrace the quiet over mingling. And who could blame them?
Arkansas
The Arkansas accent makes some people swoon, but this state comes with some serious red flags. With the fourth highest crime rate in the country, it’s no wonder people are a little wary—who wants to risk their safety for a date? In addition, Arkansas has one of the lowest online dating opportunities, making the search for love even tougher.
On top of that, the state is the fourth most impoverished in America. But hey, if you’re serious about finding someone, just know that many Arkansans know how to hunt and fish—so there’s always food on the table.
Alaska
Isolation isn’t exactly a shocker in Alaska. Nearly 40% of the state’s population lives in remote, “frontier” areas, so what are the odds you’ll be asked out while trekking the Matanuska Glacier or cruising down a bike trail? I’m not saying it’s impossible, but come on.
There’s an old saying about dating here: the odds are good, but the goods are odd. And it’s true—Alaska has the second lowest gender balance, with more men than women, the fewest restaurants per capita, and the fifth-fewest movie theaters. It’s not exactly a dating paradise.
Kentucky
I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but Kentucky downright stinks if you’re single. Winters can be brutal, with weeks where going out is a no-go, leaving you to binge Bridgerton at home and wonder if there’s any hope. And it doesn’t help that nearly 23% of residents here say they feel depressed.
Online dating isn’t much better, especially in places like Louisville. You’ll probably get nowhere fast, and once you hit 30, hook-up apps aren’t much help either.
Wyoming
Here’s the thing: nobody moves to Wyoming to “meet people.” Especially in rural Wyoming, it’s more about getting away from the crowd than mingling with them. If you’re single, finding your bae here is unlikely because most people are already paired off.
Wyoming has the third lowest share of single adults and the fourth fewest restaurants per capita. The dating pool is small. Good luck even meeting someone in smaller towns, let alone clicking with them.
South Dakota
Finding love in South Dakota is pretty much the same story as North Dakota. The state ranks well in dating economics, but when it comes to actual opportunities and romance, it’s near the bottom. With the second-fewest restaurants per capita and a lopsided gender balance of singles, it’s not exactly a dream scenario.
Most of the singles here are under 30, but many prefer dating within their small rural communities, leaving city dwellers out of luck. Even dating apps don’t work magic—people here crave genuine, meaningful connections that are tough to find.
Hawaii
Hawaii has the third-lowest movie theaters per capita, but who needs them when you’ve got beaches? But it still doesn’t change the fact that the Aloha State ranks as the eighth worst for singles.
Hit up a local club, and you’ll notice pretty quickly: unless you’re at a tourist spot, everyone seems to know everyone. People stick to their tight-knit groups, which is not exactly making it easy for newcomers. And forget about the singles scene on the Big Island, Maui, or Kauai—it’s practically nonexistent.
New Mexico
Talk about a mixed bag. New Mexico has the highest number of single adults, but guess what? It also ranks near the bottom for online dating opportunities. So, why aren’t people dating? They have bigger problems to worry about.
With the third lowest median household income and the highest crime rate, safety and stability come first. Add to that the challenge of spotty internet access—it’s one of the worst states for connectivity—and dating starts to feel like a low priority. Let’s just say romance here has its fair share of obstacles.
South Carolina
They say you’re more likely to spot one of South Carolina’s 100,000 alligators than get set up on a date—and honestly, they might be onto something. The state ranks as the 10th worst for singles, tanking in the romance and fun category. It’s not exactly ideal when even finding a decent restaurant or affordable haircut feels like a challenge.
Dating opportunities here are slim. With few single adults and limited online dating options, the odds aren’t great. Throw in South Carolina’s high crime rate, and dating might feel like dodging creeps instead of Cupid’s arrows.
Mississippi
If staying single forever isn’t your plan, you might want to steer clear of Mississippi. The state has the fewest online dating opportunities and ranks fourth lowest for movie theaters per capita. Add in the fifth-lowest median annual household income in the U.S., and it’s not exactly the ideal scene for romance.
The amount of eligible singles is low unless you’re near a college town or Central Mississippi. Even then, a lot of people here prefer staying close to home.
Kansas
Things are dry in Kansas, and not just the weather—your dating life might be too. Even though it ranks sixth in dating economics, the odds of finding love here aren’t great, with one of the lowest rankings of single adults.
Urban centers like Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka have more options, but overall, the state lacks that big-city buzz. With fewer young people, long distances, and limited hangout spots that don’t revolve around drinking, finding romance often means turning to dating apps… or hoping a friend’s single friend isn’t a total disaster.
Source: WalletHub
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