This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
Single women looking for better odds may want to look north and west. Census data shows that a small group of states has more unmarried men than unmarried women, with Alaska leading by a wide margin. North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado also make the list.
The ranking is based on the number of unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women, not the total number of single people in each state. That means large states such as California and Texas may have more single men overall, but these five states have the strongest male-to-female balance among unmarried adults.
The numbers do not guarantee an easier dating life, of course. Still, they offer an interesting look at how jobs, age, migration, and local population patterns can shape the dating pool from one state to another.
Alaska
Alaska recorded 117 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women, the highest ratio of any state or state equivalent included in the Census Bureau analysis. Put another way, Alaska had roughly 17% more unmarried men than unmarried women. No other state in the top five came close to producing such a wide gap.
The Census Bureau noted that local employment patterns can influence these numbers. States with industries that traditionally employ more men, including oil, mining, and construction, may attract a larger male workforce.
A significant military presence can also push the balance toward men because most active-duty service members are male.
Alaska appeared among the states with the highest unmarried male-to-female ratios across several age groups. Its unusual population distribution and male-heavy industries help make it the clearest outlier on America’s singles map.
North Dakota
North Dakota ranked second, with 106.7 unmarried men per 100 unmarried women. The difference is smaller than Alaska’s, but it still represents a clear male majority. For every 1,000 unmarried women, there would be approximately 1,067 unmarried men.
North Dakota’s position demonstrates how employment opportunities and migration can reshape the dating population. When a region attracts workers into industries with heavily male workforces, its unmarried population may become unbalanced.
The statewide number does not mean every North Dakota community has the same dating environment. Larger cities, rural counties, and college communities may look very different from one another. The ratio simply shows that unmarried men held the statewide numerical edge.
Wyoming
Wyoming came in narrowly behind North Dakota, with 106.1 unmarried men per 100 unmarried women.
That equals slightly more than 6 additional unmarried men per 100 unmarried women. It may not sound like a dramatic gap, but it was enough to place Wyoming third nationally.
Like Alaska and North Dakota, Wyoming has a population shaped partly by industries that have historically attracted more male workers.
The Census Bureau cautioned that employment, income, education, and local labor markets can all change the composition of what demographers call a “marriage market.”
A statewide advantage also does not guarantee easier dating. Wyoming has a small population spread across a large geographic area. Two people may live in the same state yet be hours apart, making the number of potential nearby partners very different from the statewide ratio.
South Dakota
South Dakota ranked fourth, with 103.2 unmarried men per 100 unmarried women. The state’s ratio was close to an even split, but unmarried men still held a noticeable advantage. For every 10,000 unmarried women, the ratio would translate to approximately 10,320 unmarried men.
South Dakota shows how a modest difference can place a state near the top, even though most of the country leans in the other direction. The national ratio of 89.8 unmarried men per 100 unmarried women means many states have considerably more unmarried women.
Local age patterns remain important. A community with a university, military installation, or fast-growing employment center may have a younger and more male population than another part of the same state.
Colorado
Colorado completed the top five with 101.9 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women. Its ratio was the closest to equal among the states on the list. Still, Colorado was one of the relatively few places where unmarried men slightly outnumbered unmarried women statewide.
Colorado’s position is especially notable because it has several large and growing metropolitan areas. Yet the statewide figure blends together Denver, Colorado Springs, mountain communities, college towns, and rural counties.
The result provides a broad demographic picture, not a promise that singles will find the same gender balance in every neighborhood. Dating conditions can change sharply between cities and even between age groups within the same city.
Age Can Completely Change the Dating Math
The national gender balance among unmarried people changes dramatically with age. Among adults ages 18 to 24, the Census Bureau found 109.2 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women. The ratio increased to 118.6 among people ages 25 to 29 and peaked at 120.8 among those ages 30 to 34.
The pattern then began to reverse. Adults aged 45 to 54 had 94.8 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women. Among people aged 55 and older, the ratio dropped sharply to 57.1 men for every 100 women.
One reason is that men generally marry later than women. The Census Bureau analysis placed the median first-marriage age at 30.1 for men and 28.2 for women. At older ages, women’s longer life expectancy contributes to a larger widowed female population.
The Numbers Reveal More Than Dating Prospects
These findings do not identify the “best” state for romance. They show how age, migration, employment, and population patterns shape the pool of unmarried adults.
Alaska offers the strongest numerical advantage for women seeking men, at least at the statewide level. North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado follow, although their gender gaps are much smaller.
The ranking also highlights the limits of broad statistics. Being unmarried does not automatically mean someone is unattached, emotionally available, or looking for a relationship. Geography, age and lifestyle may matter far more than a state’s overall position.
Still, for anyone wondering where unmarried men are most likely to outnumber unmarried women, the Census map points decisively toward Alaska and the northern Plains.
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