Most Popular Dating Sites by State

How single people put themselves out there and look for a partner is constantly evolving. In recent years, more traditional forms of meeting people—through friends, bars, or work—have taken a backseat with the rise of online dating apps.

Today, 39% of relationships begin online, making online dating the most popular way of meeting a partner.

Here is the list of popular dating sites by state:

Given all the options for online dating, this increase is hardly surprising. With just a smartphone or laptop, you can use over 1,500 dating sites designed to connect with others.

With a plethora of sites to choose from, factors like your location and what you’re looking for can significantly influence your success. This insight can guide your approach, regardless of where you live, as it’s evident that dating sites are now a pivotal part of the dating scene.

The Best States for Online Dating

While each state has a preferred dating app, some states tend to have greater overall online dating opportunities.

One study examined different metrics across three categories—safety, demographics, and opportunity—to discover the best and worst-ranked states for online dating.

New Hampshire ranked as the #1 state for online dating, with the #1 opportunity score due to the amount of interest in online dating and access to computers and smartphones. It's followed by Minnesota, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Washington in the top five.

The worst five ranked states for online dating include New Mexico, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama, with Louisiana coming in at #51. With less interest in online dating and more rural demographics, these states provide fewer opportunities to meet singles who share your interests and goals.

The Most Popular Dating Sites by State

As the use of dating apps grows, there are more and more options to choose from. So with so many unique sites out there, which one is best?

This answer can differ based on where you live. 

Popularity, price, easy-to-use platforms and functions, and a specific focus or interest all play a role in the success of an app. In individual states, differing values and demographics drive up the popularity of a site, creating more opportunities to reach people to connect with effectively.

Mainstream dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble are widely used throughout the US. In 2019, Tinder reached a reported 7.86 million users in the US, making it an effective app to reach a large pool of singles easily.

Tinder is the most popular dating app in states such as Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and more, while Bumble takes the top spot as most popular in Delaware, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington. For younger demographics and those looking for more casual relationships, these options are free and offer many potential matches due to their popularity.

In some areas, faith-based dating apps play a key role in the dating scene. Christian Mingle, for example, is more popular in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and more within the southern and midwestern regions of the US, while Jdate has the top spot for singles in Connecticut.

The most popular apps in some states are more focused on marriage and the quality of matches than the number of potential partners. eHarmony in Colorado and Nebraska and Hinge in Maryland and New Hampshire are popular options if you want a more serious, long-term connection.

Finding a popular app within your state that suits your needs and interests can help make these sites more effective and create a greater pool of quality connections that match what you're hoping to find.

The Rise of Online Dating

Since the creation of modern dating sites, they have become an increasingly common way for singles to look for a connection.

Whether you're looking for something more casual, a serious relationship, or to meet someone based on a shared interest or background, there's a dating app right at your fingertips.

With all these opportunities, the number of people engaging in online dating has rapidly grown. 

In 2020, 30% of US adults stated that they had used a dating app or site, up from 10% in 2013. 

This percentage also varies significantly by demographic. 18-29-year-olds are the most active group on dating apps, with 48% saying they have used a dating site or app. 

With younger demographics being the most active with technology and online dating apps, the use of these sites is likely to continue to rise as more young people turn to apps to find a relationship. 

Along with younger demographics and greater use of technology, many other factors contribute to this increase. As more people turn to online dating, the previous stigma with finding a partner online is shrinking.

Conclusion

Even in states with fewer online dating opportunities, knowing which apps are popular and effective in your area can help open up many possible connections. 

Whether you're swiping on Tinder or looking for something more serious, these dating sites are becoming an increasingly popular way to meet a partner. 

As the world becomes more technological, more people turn to online dating sites and apps to find a relationship. Knowing which option works best based on your needs and where you live will help you find what you're looking for as online dating sites continue to grow and become a normal part of the dating scene. 

Also Read:

Best and Worst Cities for Singles