LOVE STATS: A By-the-Numbers Look at Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovebirds—it's for businesses.

On this multi-billion dollar holiday, valentines flock to supermarkets or drug stores for gifts, flowers and chocolate for their honeys. 's businesses are eager to help you today in the romance department, so don't head home from work empty handed.

Until then, here's a by-the-numbers look at what comes from all this romance.

Candy

1,177 — The number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2009, employing 34,252 people. With 135, California led the nation in the number of those businesses. It was followed by Pennsylvania, with 111. 

24.7 pounds — Is the per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.

5 — The number of candy-focused stores in Tinley Park, including , ,  and  and .

Flowers

$17 million — Is the combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2010 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales. 

17,214 — The number of floral shops nationwide in 2009. These businesses employed 75,855 people.

5 — Independently owned flower and garden shops in Tinley Park, including , , ,  and .

Jewelry

24,973 — Was the number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2009. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. In February 2011, these stores sold $2.27 billion in merchandise. 

5 — Listed jewelers in Tinley Park, including , , .,  and .

'Please Be Mine'

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

28.7 and 26.5 years — Was the median age at first marriage in 2011 for men and women, respectively.

53.1 — Is the overall percentage of adults who most recently reported being married via the census.

Looking for Love

393 – Was the number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue.

Giving Love A Second Chance

19 – Was the percentage of people married twice as of 2010. About 5 percent have been 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 – The median length, in years, of first marriages that ended in divorce. 

3.8 and 3.7 — The median time, in years, between divorce and a second marriage for men and women, respectively.

9 and 8 — Among people 15 and older in 2009, this is the percentage of men and women, respectively, who had married twice and remained married.

Looking for more romance? Check out Patch's Valentine's Day coverage:

Sources: U.S. Census, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Census, Families and Living Arrangements: 2011, U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census, 2010 American Community Survey, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009 and last (but not least) our Tinley Park Patch Places Directory.

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