Valentine's Day Fun Facts

When you think of the U.S. Census Bureau, fun is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet here are some facts the bureau pulled together for Valentine’s Day:

Candy

1,317
Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and
cocoa products in 2008, employing 38,369 people. California led the nation
in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with
146, followed by Pennsylvania, with 115.

422
Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary
products in 2008. These establishments employed 16,860 people. California
led the nation in this category, with 47 establishments.

$12.2 billion
Total value of shipments in 2008 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa
products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was
a $7.1 billion industry. 

3,375
Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2008.

24.3 pounds
Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2009.

 Flowers

$359 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers in 2009
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 ($269 million). 

$18 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2009 for
all operations with $100,000 or more in sales.

18,509
The number of florists nationwide in 2008. These businesses employed 89,741
people.

Jewelry

26,683
Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2008. Jewelry stores offer
engagement, wedding and other rings to lovers of all ages. In February
2010, these stores sold $2.4 billion in merchandise.

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of
the nation’s 1,644 jewelry manufacturing establishments.

"Please Be Mine"

2.1 million
 The number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2009. That
breaks down to nearly 5,800 a day.

108,150
The number of marriages performed in Nevada during 2009. So many couples
tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked fifth nationally in
marriages, even though its total population that year among states was
35th. (California ranked first in marriages.)

28.2 and 26.1 years
Median age at first marriage in 2010 for men and women, respectively.

54.1%
The overall percentage of adults who reported being married.

69%
Percentage of people 15 years and older in 2010 who had been married at
some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.

73%
 Among women who married for the first time between 1985 and 1989, the
percentage who marked their 10th anniversary. This compares with 87 percent
of women who married for the first time between 1955 and 1959.

6%
As of 2004, the percentage of currently married women who had been married
for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married
women had been married for at least 15 years.

Looking for Love

393
The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These
establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125
people and pulled in $927 million in revenue.

Giving Love a Second Chance

19%
Percentage of people married twice among those who have ever married as of
2009. Five percent have married three or more times. By comparison,
75 percent of people who have ever been married have made only one trip
down the aisle.

8
Average length, in years, of first marriages ending in divorce.

3 1/2
The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage.

52% and 44%
Among adults 25 and older who have ever divorced, the percentage of men and
women, respectively, who were currently married.