Valentine's Day by the Numbers
From the U.S. Census Bureau
Candy is Dandy
1,198
Number of locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2005. These establishments employed 38,718 people. California led the nation in the number of such establishments with 128, followed by Pennsylvania with 121.
477
Number of locations that produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2005. These establishments employed 21,389 people.
$14.9 billion
Total value of shipments in 2006 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $6.2 billion industry.
3,412
Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2005; they are among the best sources of sweets for Valentine’s Day.
26 pounds
Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2006.
Flowers
$411 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers in 2006 for all flower-producing operations with $100,000 or more in sales. Among states, California was the leading producer, alone accounting for about three-quarters of this amount ($316 million).
$31 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2006 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales.
21,135
The number of florists nationwide in 2005. These businesses employed 101,861 people.
Jewelry
29,624
Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2005. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to lovers of all ages. In February 2007, these stores sold $2.5 billion worth of merchandise. (This figure has not been adjusted for seasonal variation, holiday or trading day differences or price changes.)
The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation’s 1,798 jewelry manufacturing establishments. The manufacture of jewelry and silverware was a $10 billion industry in 2006.
Be Mine
2.2 million
The number of marriages that take place in the United States annually. That breaks down to more than 5,918 a day.
131,826
The number of marriages performed in Nevada during 2006. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked fourth nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year among states was 35th.
25.5 and 27.5
The estimated U.S. median ages at first marriage for women and men, respectively, in 2006. The age for women rose 4.2 years in the last three decades. The age for men at first marriage is up 3.7 years.
56% and 60%
The percentages of American women and men, respectively, who are 18 or older and currently married (includes those who are separated).
71%
Percentage of men and women ages 30 to 34 in 2006 who had been married at some point in their lives—either currently or formerly.
5 million
Number of opposite-sex cohabitating couples who maintained households in 2006. These couples comprised 4.4 percent of all households.
Looking for Love
120
Number of single men (i.e., never married, widowed, or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.
34
Number of single men (i.e., never married, widowed, or divorced) age 65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages.
904
The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2002. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed nearly 4,300 people and pulled in $489 million in revenues.
Try Looking Here . . .
Below are names of some romantic-sounding places:
Valentine, Neb. Loving County, Texas
Valentine, Texas Lovington, N.M.
Loveland, Colo. Loving, N.M.
Lovejoy, Ga. Love County, Okla.
Loves Park, Ill. Lovington, Ill.
Lovelock, Nev. Romeo, Colo.
Love Valley, N.C. Romeo, Mich.
Loveland, Ohio Romeoville, Ill.
Loveland Park, Ohio Sacred Heart, Minn.
Loveland, Okla. Heart Butte, Mont.
Lovelady, Texas South Heart, N.D.
21
Number of places named "rose." The red rose has long been a symbol of romantic love. Rose Hill, Va., is the most populous, with more than 15,000 residents.
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
