Ever feel like everyone you know is married? Or perhaps you have the opposite sensation: that all your friends are single? Well, it might be more than just your imagination. It might have to do with where you live. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and the website city-data.com, some cities and towns have more couples than others. Are you near a married mecca or singles spot? Find out here.
Most Married Cities
1. Gilbert, Arizona. This fast-growing southwestern city tops the list for having the most married couples, with nearly 70 percent of its population married. Between 2000 and 2007, Gilbert practically doubled in size, increasing from approximately 110,000 people to 208,000. Perhaps some of that growth is can be attributed to new children born to all those couples.
2. Naperville, Illinois. An affluent suburb of Chicago, this town might draw so many married folks into its fold because it's known for having excellent public schools. Or perhaps its top-ranked libraries contribute to its family-friendly environment. Whatever the reason, almost half of its households have children and 69 percent of the population is married.
3. Plano, Texas. Another rich suburban community, a little over 64 percent of all residents are married. Located just outside of Dallas, Plano was ranked the most affluent city in the country in 2008 by the U.S. Census Bureau, with a median family income of more than $100,000.
4. Simi Valley, California. In addition to its highly married population (just under 64 percent), this California town has some of the same characteristics as the other cities on the list: Near, but not in, a major city (this time, Los Angeles), affluent (residents' median income, $88,406), and a growing population. Unlike the others, Simi Valley has been featured in a few TV shows and movies (such as Little House on the Prairie, MASH, and the Jennifer Aniston movie The Good Girl). It's also home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
5. Corona, California. A little less than 64 percent of people in Corona, located south of Los Angeles, are married and about half of all households have children. The population has increased almost 20 percent in the last decade.
Most Single Cities
1. State College, Pennsylvania. A different trend emerges among the most single cities, beginning with State College, the town the tops the list: they're primarily college towns. Home to Pennsylvania State University, it's probably not surprising to learn that the population of this town is also very young (median resident age is just under 22). Only 22 percent of the population is married, and about 10 percent have children.
2. East Lansing, Michigan. The institute of higher learning here is Michigan State University. About 27 percent of the population is married and only 16 percent have kids. The overall cost of living is low in East Lansing, which probably makes it easier for young, single people to afford.
3. Blacksburg, Virginia. Just under 29 percent of the Blacksburg population is married. Blacksburg is home to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, more commonly known as Virginia Tech, which is the school probably best remembered for the fatal shootings of 32 students in 2007.
4. Bloomington, Indiana, and Charlottesville, Virginia (tie). Both of these college towns have 29.2 percent of the population married. Indiana University and the University of Virginia are located in these two towns, respectively. In Bloomington, fewer than 18 percent of households have children. In Charlottesville, it's slightly higher at 20 percent.
5. Amherst, Massachusetts. This small town houses three colleges: Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Like State College, its population is young with the median age also hovering around 22. About 36 percent are married overall, but of those in the 18 to 34 age range, more than 85 percent are single. Amherst, like other single towns, has a lower median income (slightly over $40,000) than the married towns.
