Are there more single men or women?

Compare the U.S. ratio of unmarried men and women. The answer changes with the age range.

For ages 15 to 44, the 2024 Census survey estimated 110.6 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women. Here, unmarried includes people who may have a partner.

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Why age matters

Ask whether there are more single men or women and the honest first reply is a question back: at what ages? The ratio changes from one age group to the next, and the table below sets the 2024 result beside older Census estimates for other ages. Each figure was counted in a different year and a different age room, so read them side by side and keep them apart.

Who counts as unmarried?

The Census counts people as unmarried if they have never married or are divorced, separated, or widowed. Common-law spouses can report themselves as married, so some may sit on the married side of the line. When someone skips the question, the Census may fill in the answer under its own rules.

How precise is the estimate?

The 2024 ratio has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.2 at 90% confidence. It comes from a household survey that asked a sample of homes, so it is an estimate for the whole country rather than a count of every person.

Compare your state

Zoom in to your own state and the ratio can land somewhere different from the national figure. Use the calculator to choose a state and an age range that fit the question you are really asking.

Why the answer changes by age

The table may be wider than the screen. Focus it and use the arrow keys to reach every column.

Official Census estimates use different years and age ranges. Do not add or merge these ratios.
Data and groupUnmarried men per 100 unmarried womenHow to use it
2024 ACS, ages 15 to 44110.6, with a ±0.2 margin of errorCurrent national answer for the ranking table's defined age range
2019 Census analysis, all adults age 18 and older89.8Historical all-adult context, not the 2024 result
2019 Census analysis, ages 30 to 34Nearly 121Shows how a younger adult group can have more unmarried men
2019 Census analysis, age 55 and olderAbout 57Shows how an older adult group can have more unmarried women

What does unmarried mean? The source uses current marital status. It does not measure whether a person is dating or wants a relationship.

How to read it: Compare the year, age range, and definition before you compare two ratios. Each row describes its own group.

Download the table (CSV) ↓

Common questions

Does 110.6 mean 110.6% are men?

No, 110.6 means about 111 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women in that age group.

Why do other articles give a different answer?

Other articles may have counted a different group. Check the year, the age range, and what single means: a survey of people who are not in a relationship counts a different crowd from a count of unmarried adults.

Sources (4)

The main ratio comes from the 2024 American Community Survey ranking table. The age comparisons use a separate Census analysis of 2019 data.

  1. U.S. Census Bureau

    2024 ACS Ranking Table R1203

    Reports the U.S. and state ratios of unmarried men ages 15 to 44 per 100 unmarried women ages 15 to 44, with 90% margins of error.

    Checked 2026-09-11
  2. U.S. Census Bureau

    American Community Survey Ranking Tables

    Identifies R1203 as a 2024 one-year ranking table. It provides the official table index and product context.

    Checked 2026-09-11
  3. U.S. Census Bureau

    2024 ACS Subject Definitions

    Defines the marital-status response categories, common-law reporting rule, and assignment of missing responses. It does not define dating availability.

    Checked 2026-09-11
  4. U.S. Census Bureau

    All the Single Ladies ... and Men

    Provides historical 2019 ratios for all adults and selected age groups. These values are context and must not replace the 2024 ranking-table result.

    Checked 2026-09-11

About Nora Hale

Nora Hale writes about dating apps, relationships, and the numbers behind common dating claims. Whenever a number makes the rounds, she starts with who was counted, when, and what the survey actually asked.

Meet Nora and read more