The Single State

The U.S. Census Bureau confirms what many have suspected: New York has the highest percentages of single men and woman than any other state and most reside in the New York City. The report also finds 86 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women (but report co-author Tavia Simmons does not know if the men are "confirmed bachelors"... no word on "spinsters"). The Daily News speaks to various single New Yorkers to get some texture to the statistics, and the usual reasons seemed to prevail: Career, youthful arrogance (not wanting to compromise/settle), and romantic optimism. Shawn Brzezinski says, "This is a city of millions of people but sometimes it's the loneliest." Sigh, so true.

Most people have known about singles in New York because of Sex and the City, whose content is simultaneously over-the-top and incredibly close to home. One of the most telling quotes is when Miranda looks at Manhattan and says, "Who would have thought an island that tiny would be big enough to hold all our old boyfriends?"

Gothamist on flirting, a great date, dealbreakers, possible issues, and online dating.

[Totally random: With -sters like hipster, Friendster, trendster, etc., spinster sounds like someone who weaves verbal magic, rather than a single woman. Word Spy looked at the word leather spinster.]