Dating apps have become a regular way of how people meet in the U.S. Around 40% of adults have used one, which means roughly 75 to 80 million people. The numbers are even higher among younger adults.
Nearly 65% of those between 18 and 29 have used a dating app at some point.
Tinder, the most popular dating app, shared these numbers through a survey in the United States, the UK, Australia, and Canada. The poll included 8,000 heterosexual men and women.
According to the results, men and women using dating apps might have more in common than many people think.
Highlights
- Over 75 million Americans have tried dating apps
- Maine leads the U.S. in dating app interest
- Tinder remains the most popular app nationwide
Who’s Actually Swiping and How Many Are Doing It?
People in some parts of the country are using dating apps way more than others.
A recent study by Bedbible looked at how often people search for dating-related terms like “Tinder,” “dating apps,” or “free dating sites” in Google. They used that to figure out which states are the most active when it comes to online dating.
Instead of just raw numbers, they compared how many searches each state gets per 100,000 people. That shows where online dating really has people’s attention.
People from Men’s Journal went deeper and explored how many people are searching for dating apps online in different US states.
Top 10 States Where Online Dating Is Most Popular
Average Monthly Google Searches per 100,000 Residents
| Rank | State | Search Volume |
| 1 | Maine | 4,276 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 3,938 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 3,903 |
| 4 | North Dakota | 3,673 |
| 5 | Vermont | 3,567 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 3,539 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 3,520 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 3,422 |
| 9 | Florida | 3,258 |
| 10 | Montana | 3,246 |
Maine comes out on top, with more than 4,200 dating-related searches for every 100,000 residents each month.
New Hampshire and Rhode Island follow close behind. Five of the top ten are in New England.
That makes it the most dating-app-curious region in the country. Mississippi came in last, with just 1,713 searches per 100,000.
What It Tells Us?
A higher search rate usually means more people are using apps or thinking about it. It shows interest, activity, and how accepted online dating has become in those places.
Some states treat dating apps like a regular part of life. Others haven’t caught up yet.
Online dating searches always climb in the colder months. People feel lonelier, spend more time indoors, and want connection.
Apps give them a way to reach out without needing to go anywhere. Around the holidays, swipe activity often hits a peak.
What Are the Most Popular Dating Apps in the U.S. Right Now?
Dating apps work differently for everyone. Some people want a relationship. Others just want someone to talk to.
Most people are using them just for fun.
1. Tinder
Still the biggest name. Over 10 million people in the U.S. use it. Most are under 30, but plenty in their 30s are active too.
It’s quick, easy, and casual. You swipe, match, and chat.
Great for meeting someone fast, with or without a plan for something serious.
2. Bumble
This one gives women control. Only women can send the first message.
That helped Bumble stand out. It’s popular with people in their late 20s and early 30s.
It also has modes for friendship and networking, but most people still use it to date.
3. Hinge
Hinge is for people who are tired of swiping without a real connection.
You set up your profile with prompts, not just photos. It focuses on relationships.
The app says it’s “designed to be deleted.” That sums up the goal. People in their 30s love it.
4. OkCupid
OkCupid is all about personality. It asks tons of questions and matches you based on your answers.
It’s very open to all identities and orientations.
Great for people who care about values and compatibility, not just looks.
5. Match
Match is one of the oldest platforms, and it still has a loyal base.
Mostly used by people over 35. It’s not free like the others. You pay for full access.
But that also means most people on it are serious about finding something long-term.
6. Facebook Dating
Built into the Facebook app. No separate download.
Most users are over 30. It pulls info from your Facebook profile and suggests matches based on shared interests.
Simple, no pressure, and easy to try if you’re already on Facebook.
7. CooMeet
CooMeet connects men with verified women for live video chats. It’s not like the usual dating apps with swipes and messages.
You get matched right away with a real person on camera. Every female user goes through verification, which cuts down on bots and fake profiles.
Most people use it to meet people instantly without wasting time on endless texting. You don’t need to fill out a long profile, and it’s easy to start chatting with someone in seconds.
It works well on both phone and desktop.
There are also several alternatives to CooMeet available for those who want different features or pricing options.
Dating App Use by Gender and Age
Pew Research Center released a large report showing exactly how many Americans are on dating apps and what groups use them most.
They ran a national survey that broke the numbers down by age, gender, and sexual orientation.
Here are the details they found.
| Group | Share |
| Adults (overall) | 30% |
| Ages 18–29 | 53% |
| Ages 30–49 | 37% |
| Ages 50–64 | 20% |
| Ages 65+ | 13% |
| Men (all ages) | More likely than women |
| Women (all ages) | Less likely than men |
| LGBT+ adults | 51% |
| Straight adults | 28% |
| Single and actively looking (overall) | 45% used dating apps in the past year |
| Single and not looking | 3% currently use dating apps |
The gap between age groups is massive. People under 30 are nearly five times more likely to have used Tinder than older adults.
Apps like Bumble and Hinge are also more common with young users. On the other hand, apps like Match are more popular with people over 30.
Dating app use is also much higher in cities than in rural areas. Never-married people are more active on dating platforms than married or divorced people.
There are also differences in how often people use dating apps. Among people who’ve ever used one, 15% were using one at the time of the survey, and another 16% had used one within the past year.
In short, younger, urban, single men are the most active dating app users. Older, rural users are less likely to use them.
And people identifying as LGBT+ tend to use more apps and are more active compared to straight users.
Final Thoughts
Online dating isn’t some backup move. It’s the main way people meet now.
Millions are on apps every day. Some are hopeful to find the love of their life there. Others just want to kill time. You’ll find every kind of vibe.
One app pushes quick chats. Another wants you to write a bio like it’s a job interview. Then there’s the one that jumps straight into video calls before you even say hi.
Young adults use them the most, but it’s not just their game. People in their 30s, 40s, and beyond are getting in too.
A few actually meet someone they never expected.
