The growing number of single Americans 65 and older is reshaping societal norms around aging and romance, according to a new report from Seniorly, an online platform that connects older adults and their families with senior living options.
The report, citing U.S. Census Bureau data, noted that 25.9 million older adults are not married, up by 5.8 million from a decade ago. In addition, 4.2 million Americans are expected to turn 65 this year.
This means that more seniors are now in the dating pool than at any other time in U.S. history, the report said. While some will prefer to stay single and others to seek companionship, marriage rates for Americans 65 and older have hit a 10-year high at 56.3%, according to the Census Bureau.
Seniorly said a vibrant dating scene for older Americans offers both opportunities and challenges, especially for those who have been out of the game for decades.
Dating in the digital age is a good way to meet people, but it is also dangerous. Americans lost $1.1 billion to romance scams in 2023, with seniors the most targeted age group. Sexually transmitted infections more than doubled among seniors between 2000 and 2022.
The cost of a date night for senior has also increased. Outlays will vary depending on where seniors live, as will the number of restaurants and entertainment venues they have convenient access to.
To identify the places that offer better conditions than others for seniors looking for love, Seniorly analyzed 12 metrics across three main categories in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:
- Health and well-being: health status, mental health, life expectancy and STI rates
- Family life: marital status, whether seniors live alone or with family, ratio of older women to men and how engaged they are socially
- Financial health: availability of restaurants, likelihood of falling prey to romance scams, spending on memberships and clubs, and average date night costs
The gender ratio nationwide stands at 1.21, meaning there are 121 older women for every 100 men.
Date night costs, which average $153.20 per date across the country, include one bottle of wine, movie tickets for two adults and a weekly meal out for two seniors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
See the gallery for the 12 best states for single seniors, according to Seniorly.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.