I hope that everyone remembers to do something nice for his or her significant other on February 14. We all need a little romance now and then and what better time to be romantic than on Valentine’s Day?
If you feel as if you are the only one struggling with what to give or do to impress your sweetheart on this special day, I can reassure you that is not the case, thanks to the U.S. Census Bureau.
For some reason, the census bureau periodically sends out data on calendar events. For instance, last May, just before Mother’s Day, a news release chock full of data about mothers arrived in my inbox. Did you know that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 85.4 million mothers in the United States in 2008? Did you know that just over 4 million births were registered in the United States in 2009?
The census bureau informs us that the month with the highest number of births is July, with 375,384 in 2008. Tuesday is the most common day to deliver, with an average of 13,415 births taking place on Tuesdays.
And finally the census bureau reports that the most popular baby names in 2009 were Jacob and Isabella. Why does the census bureau keep track of this? And why do they send it out unasked? I don’t know.
In June, the government agency issued information just before Father’s Day, letting us know that there are 70.1 million dads in the United States. And, there are an estimated 154,000 stay-at-home dads. Interesting tidbits, but I don’t know what purpose it serves.
Likewise with the report we received a few months ago filled with numbers on marriages and divorces. The census bureau shared the news that in 2009 more than half of currently married couples (55 percent) had been married for at least 15 years, while 35 percent had reached their 25th anniversary. A small percentage—6 percent—had even passed their golden (50th) wedding anniversary.
I won’t go into the statistics regarding divorce. I think that would be a sad topic for Valentine’s Day. But it’s there, in the census bureau reports if you really want to know.
Why is the census bureau compelled to share this information? I do not know.
But I will admit that it is kind of fun to see this trivial information. If I could retain it, I could probably kick some butt at Sven & Ole’s Pizza Trivia Nights.
However, this Valentine’s Day, it comes in handy as I try to reassure anyone who is stressed out about getting a nice little—or an extravagant big—gift for their sweetheart. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are literally thousands of places to go to get that special item. The census bureau reports that there were 3,386 confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2009. In 2010, Americans spent $375 million on domestically produced cut flowers.
A surprising statistic to me is that florists outnumber chocolatiers. There were 17,124 nationwide in 2009. The census bureau reports that these businesses employed 75,855 people.
And there are even more jewelry stores. There were 24,973 in the United States in 2009.
So if you are shopping for a special trinket or truffle, know that you are in excellent company. There are millions of others doing the same.
Fortunately, you’re in Cook County, where there are small stores and friendly sales people, ready to help you find the perfect gift for that special someone.
And I don’t need the census bureau to tell me that!
Love is an unusual game; there are
either two winners – or none.
Anonymous
Leave a Reply