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The 50 Cities with the Worst Singles Scenes in America

Our most barren dating deserts, from coast-to-coast.

If your dating life isn't as fulfilling as you'd like it to be, good news: It might not be you. The reason for a bleak dating experience might actually be because you're living in the wrong city. Lame bars and restaurants (or no bars and restaurants), few available single people, and/or crummy entertainment options can make it tough to hit it off with potential dates in your town. To help you figure out which cities to avoid when looking to supercharge your romantic life, we've pulled together the data of which places have the most dismal singles scenes.

We didn't take into account every city or tiny collective of people in the country—we just looked at the 200 biggest metropolises, by population, and figured out from those (using info from the U.S. Census, Bureau of Labor, and other sources) which were the dating deserts. Take a look and see if it's time to plan a move. And when you start thinking about where to go, check out the 50 Cities with the Best Singles Scenes in America. 

50
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Rancho Cucamonga, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes
Kit Leong / Shutterstock

Population: 176,534
Singles (%): 51
Number of bars per 100k people: 4.53
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 60.05
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 19.83
Singles Scene Score: 33.85

Also one of The 50 Fittest Cities in America, maybe Rancho Cucamonga isn't so bad after all.

49
Corona, CA

Corona, CA, beach, worst singles scenes

Population: 166,785
Singles (%): 48.3
Number of bars per 100k people: 3.60
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 65.35
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 17.99
Singles Scene Score: 33.81

48
Olathe, KS

Olathe, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 135,473
Singles (%): 41.4
Number of bars per 100k people: 4.43
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 59.05
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 29.53
Singles Scene Score: 33.60

If you do meet someone, here are the 15 signs your partner is marriage material.

47
Fremont, CA

Fremont, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 233,136
Singles (%): 52.2
Number of bars per 100k people: 2.57
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 60.91
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 17.59
Singles Scene Score: 33.32

46
Clarksville, TN

Clarksville, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 150,287
Singles (%): 48.1
Number of bars per 100k people: 13.97
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 58.55
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 11.98
Singles Scene Score: 33.15

And speaking of geography: don't miss The Greatest BBQ Joint in Every U.S. State.

45
Escondido, CA

Escondido, CA, mountain, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 151,613
Singles (%): 52.8
Number of bars per 100k people: 5.28
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 54.74
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 18.47
Singles Scene Score: 32.82

44
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield, drunkest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 376,380
Singles (%): 52.9
Number of bars per 100k people: 6.91
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 51.01
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 20.19
Singles Scene Score: 32.75

43
Macon, GA

Macon, GA, worst singles scenes

Population: 152,555
Singles (%): 58
Number of bars per 100k people: 5.24
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 52.44
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 14.42
Singles Scene Score: 32.53

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

42
Riverside, CA

Riverside, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 324,722
Singles (%): 57.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 5.24
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 47.43
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 19.40
Singles Scene Score: 32.44

41
Arlington, TX

Arlington, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 392,772
Singles (%): 53.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 7.89
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 47.61
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 20.11
Singles Scene Score: 32.33

40
Irving, TX

Irving, happiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 238,289
Singles (%): 50.4
Number of bars per 100k people: 0.42
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 57.49
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 20.98
Singles Scene Score: 32.32

39
Oceanside, CA

Oceanside, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 175,464
Singles (%): 50.6
Number of bars per 100k people: 6.84
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 49.58
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 22.23
Singles Scene Score: 32.31

38
Brownsville, TX

Brownsville, TX, worst singles scenes

Population: 183,823
Singles (%): 51.1
Number of bars per 100k people: 8.16
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 52.77
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 16.86
Singles Scene Score: 32.22

Photo via the Brownsville Facebook page

37
Mesa, AZ

Mesa, happiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 484,587
Singles (%): 52.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 3.71
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 54.27
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 17.95
Singles Scene Score: 32.16

36
Salinas, CA

Salinas, CA, worst singles scenes, agriculture, lettuce

Population: 157,218
Singles (%): 56.6
Number of bars per 100k people: 2.54
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 59.79
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 9.54
Singles Scene Score: 32.12

35
San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 216,239
Singles (%): 64.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 3.70
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 45.32
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 13.41
Singles Scene Score: 31.78

34
Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth, happiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 854,113
Singles (%): 53.8
Number of bars per 100k people: 12.76
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 39.34
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 20.72
Singles Scene Score: 31.66

33
Glendale, AZ

Glendale, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 245,895
Singles (%): 52.9
Number of bars per 100k people: 10.98
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 44.33
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 17.49
Singles Scene Score: 31.42

32
Laredo, TX

Laredo, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 257,156
Singles (%): 53.4
Number of bars per 100k people: 10.50
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 47.05
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 14.39
Singles Scene Score: 31.34

31
Stockton, CA

Stockton, happiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 307,072
Singles (%): 57.2
Number of bars per 100k people: 5.21
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 47.87
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 14.65
Singles Scene Score: 31.23

 

30
Kansas City, KS

Kansas City, drunkest cities, worst singles scenes

Population:  151,709
Singles (%): 59
Number of bars per 100k people:   13.84
Number of restaurants per 100k people:   44.82
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people:   6.80
Singles Scene Score:  31.12

29
Cape Coral, FL

Cape Coral, happiest cities, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 179,804
Singles (%): 48.8
Number of bars per 100k people: 5.01
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 50.05
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 20.58
Singles Scene Score: 31.11

28
Peoria, AZ

Peoria, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 164,173
Singles (%): 48
Number of bars per 100k people: 4.26
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 49.34
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 21.32
Singles Scene Score: 30.73

27
Chula Vista, CA

Chula Vista, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 267,172
Singles (%): 50.2
Number of bars per 100k people: 6.74
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 47.91
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 16.09
Singles Scene Score: 30.24

26
Joliet, IL

Joliet, drunkest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 148,262
Singles (%): 52.1
Number of bars per 100k people: 14.16
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 38.45
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 16.19
Singles Scene Score: 30.22

25
Aurora, CO

Aurora, happiest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes,

Population: 361,710
Singles (%): 53.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 7.19
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 46.17
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 13.82
Singles Scene Score: 30.22

24
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 207,906
Singles (%): 54.3
Number of bars per 100k people: 7.70
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 39.92
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 16.35
Singles Scene Score: 29.57

23
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 334,217
Singles (%): 55.5
Number of bars per 100k people: 6.88
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 44.28
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 10.77
Singles Scene Score: 29.36

22
Lancaster, CA

Lancaster, CA, poppies, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 160,106
Singles (%): 57.6
Number of bars per 100k people: 6.25
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 44.35
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 8.74
Singles Scene Score: 29.23

21
Ontario, CA

Ontario, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 173,212
Singles (%): 55.9
Number of bars per 100k people: 2.31
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 46.19
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 12.12
Singles Scene Score: 29.13

20
Hialeah, FL

Hialeah, Florida, Miami, worst singles scenes

Population: 236,387
Singles (%): 58.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 2.12
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 39.77
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 14.81
Singles Scene Score: 28.85

19
Port St. Lucie, FL

port st lucie, best tax friendly cities

Population: 185,132
Singles (%): 48.6
Number of bars per 100k people: 9.72
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 34.57
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 21.61
Singles Scene Score: 28.62

18
Mesquite, TX

Mesquite, Texas, suburb, worst singles scenes

Population: 143,736
Singles (%): 53.2
Number of bars per 100k people: 0.70
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 42.44
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 17.39
Singles Scene Score: 28.43

17
Aurora, IL

Aurora, happiest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 201,110
Singles (%): 44.4
Number of bars per 100k people: 8.95
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 37.29
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 21.38
Singles Scene Score: 28.01

16
Killeen, TX

Killeen, drunkest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 143,400
Singles (%): 47
Number of bars per 100k people: 11.16
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 36.96
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 16.04
Singles Scene Score: 27.79

15
Pomona, CA

Pomona, CA, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 152,494
Singles (%): 59.3
Number of bars per 100k people: 5.90
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 35.41
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 10.49
Singles Scene Score: 27.78

14
Gilbert, AZ

Gilbert, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 237,133
Singles (%): 52.9
Number of bars per 100k people: 3.37
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 31.63
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 21.93
Singles Scene Score: 27.46

13
Frisco, TX

Frisco, circus, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 163,656
Singles (%): 34.2
Number of bars per 100k people: 1.22
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 43.38
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 30.55
Singles Scene Score: 27.34

12
Garland, TX

Garland, happiest cities, worst singles scenes

Population: 234,943
Singles (%): 50
Number of bars per 100k people: 2.55
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 40.86
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 15.32
Singles Scene Score: 27.18

11
Detroit, MI

Detroit, worst singles scenes, fattest cities

Population: 672,795
Singles (%): 45
Number of bars per 100k people: 14.86
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 37.46
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 11.30
Singles Scene Score: 27.15

10
Orange, CA

Orange, CA, worst singles scenes, beach

Population: 140,504
Singles (%): 53.9
Number of bars per 100k people: 8.54
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 14.95
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 28.47
Singles Scene Score: 26.46

9
Elk Grove, CA

Elk Grove, CA, worst singles scenes

Population: 169,743
Singles (%): 46.2
Number of bars per 100k people: 2.36
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 45.36
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 10.60
Singles Scene Score: 26.13

8
McKinney, TX

McKinney, suburban homes, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 172,298
Singles (%): 41.1
Number of bars per 100k people: 2.32
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 39.47
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 19.73
Singles Scene Score: 25.66

7
West Valley City, UT

West Valley City, UT, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 136,574
Singles (%): 49.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 3.66
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 33.68
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 14.64
Singles Scene Score: 25.42

6
Pasadena, TX

Pasadena, TX, worst singles scenes, kayak
Shutterstock

Population: 153,351
Singles (%): 53.3
Number of bars per 100k people: 4.56
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 34.56
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 8.48
Singles Scene Score: 25.23

5
Thornton, CO

Thornton, CO, worst singles scenes

Population: 136,703
Singles (%): 46.2
Number of bars per 100k people: 7.32
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 27.80
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 17.56
Singles Scene Score: 24.72

4
Palmdale, CA

Palmdale, CA, desert, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 157,356
Singles (%): 54.7
Number of bars per 100k people: 1.27
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 33.68
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 8.26
Singles Scene Score: 24.48

3
North Las Vegas, NV

North Las Vegas, happiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 238,702
Singles (%): 53.8
Number of bars per 100k people: 8.80
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 17.18
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 11.73
Singles Scene Score: 22.88

2
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley, happiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 205,499
Singles (%): 56.1
Number of bars per 100k people: 0.97
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 26.76
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 5.84
Singles Scene Score: 22.42

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1
Fontana, CA

Fontana, happiest cities, worst singles scenes
Shutterstock

Population: 209,665
Singles (%): 53.6
Number of bars per 100k people: 1.43
Number of restaurants per 100k people: 22.89
Number of entertainment spots per 100k people: 9.06
Singles Scene Score: 21.75

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Alex Daniel
A journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. Read more
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