Valentine's Day by the Numbers

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

From the U.S. Census Bureau

Find fun facts about Valentine's Day—a holiday centuries old that celebrates love—from who sent the first valentine to how many Americans send love messages today.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Roses

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Candy

1,185

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2013, employing 38,717 people. California led the nation with 129 of these establishments, followed by Pennsylvania, with 114.

448

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2013. These establishments employed 19,308 people. California led the nation in this category with 45 establishments.

$14.9 billion

The estimated value of chocolate and cocoa product shipments for manufacturing establishments that produced these products in 2014.

Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, had an estimated $9.3 billion in value of product shipments in 2014.

3,368

Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2013.

Flowers

14,161

The number of florists' establishments nationwide in 2013. These businesses employed 62,222 people.

$272,180,347

The value of imports for cut flowers and buds for bouquets in 2014 through October. The total value of fresh cut roses as of October 2014 was $381,757,889.

Jewelry

23,096

The number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2013. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. In February 2013, these stores sold an estimated $2.5 billion in merchandise.

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation's 2,134 jewelry and silverware manufacturing establishments.

"Please Be Mine"

29.5 and 27.6 years

Median age at first marriage in 2014 for men and women, respectively.

47.7%

The overall percentage of people 15 and older who reported being married, except those separated.

35.1

The provisional rate of marriages per 1,000 people performed in Nevada during 2012. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked number one nationally in marriage rates. Hawaii ranked second with a marriage rate of 17.5.

2.1 million

The provisional number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2012. That breaks down to about 5,800 a day.

Giving Love a Second Chance

19.2%

Among people 15 and older who have been married, the percentage of men and women who have been married twice as of 2014. Five percent have married three or more times. By comparison, 75.5 percent of people who have ever been married have made only one trip down the aisle.

Looking for Love

399

The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2012. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 2,348 people.

Try Looking Here . . .

Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine's Day:

Rose City, Texas Rose City, Mich. Loveland, Ohio
(Population–514) (Population–636)
(Population–12,405)
Loveland, Colo. Sacred Heart, Minn. Love County, Okla.
(Population–72,651) (Population–520) (Population–9,773)
Romeo, Colo. Valentine, Neb. Loveland, Okla.
(Population–394) (Population –2,785) (Population–13)
Lovejoy, Ga. Lovelock, Nev. Lovelady, Texas
(Population–6,406) (Population–1,900) (Population–621)
Loves Park, Ill. Loving, N.M. Loving County, Texas
(Population–23,551) (Population–1,399) (Population–86)
Lovington, Ill. Lovington, N.M. Valentine, Texas
(Population–1,109) (Population–11,840) (Population–126)
Romeoville, Ill. Rosemont, Md. Rose Hill Acres, Texas
(Population–39,679) (Population–306) (Population–444)
Rosemont, Ill. Love Valley, N.C.
(Population–4,226) (Population–98)
Romeo, Mich. South Heart, N.D.
(Population–3,628) (Population–403)
Sources +