What is Successful Dating?

We will measure successful dating with the sole metric of ending up in a couple. Due to different preferences of dating (long-term, short-term, marriage) this indicator will be the most universal for success.

Assumptions

One assumption we are making is that dating success is defined by most as ending up in a couple. We are also making the assumption that being in a couple means the dater is happy or content with their end result of dating; this may not be true for some daters who end up in couples. We are also discounting the breakup factor, where couples may stay together for a short time and then break up. To keep the metric the most simple, we will define success as getting together in a couple but not explore the success metric of staying together.

Relationship Status Varies Per Area

Those who are dating in the U.S. as adults may have more success by moving to an area of the country where there is a higher success rate. Areas where there are the most singles and best dating experiences according to the U.S. Census Bureau and surveys measuring dating emotions are on the East Coast and California.

As seen by the map, southern states also have a high number of singles, but the Midwest does not. We could make the assumption that Midwest culture prioritizes marriage over dating, which could be why there are fewer single people. Additionally, the Midwest is not as populated as the East Coast and California, which could explain the results as well.

Success Rates Change Based on Demographics

The data shows the differences between dating success rates for different sexual orientation demographics and ethnicity demographics. For queer dating, online dating has a much higher success rate than in-person dating. However, for heterosexual dating, the online success rate is only a bit higher than the in-person success rate.

This implies that heterosexual daters may find success in both avenues (albeit more success online) while queer dating may find the most success online compared to in-person dating.

Additionally, it is important to note that race/ethnicity does not create a significant difference in success rates for online or in-person dating, but it does create more interracial couples which meet online.