As the debate over dating preferences continues, a new CivicScience survey reveals how much appearance—specifically height—factors into romantic decisions. Based on responses from 1,640 U.S. adults between March 10 and July 13, 2025, the data shows that 16% say height matters to them when dating (excluding those who said it does not apply).
Where do you stand? Do you care about height when dating?
Women (19%) are much more likely than men (13%) to say that height matters to them a lot, whereas men are far more inclined to say it doesn’t matter to them at all (54%). Those earning under $50K are slightly more likely to value height, which aligns with Gen Z adults being very concerned about this factor. Additionally, those living in a city are twice as likely as those in rural areas to say height matters to them a lot.
But demographics aren’t the only thing setting height-conscious daters apart:
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Buy Now, Pay Later Usage: Those who say height matters are twice as likely to use BNPL services.
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Home Security Systems: Height-conscious individuals are 14 percentage points more likely to have a home security system.
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Mindfulness Meditation Apps: Over a third of those who value height a lot use these apps, compared to under 20% of those who don’t care about height at all.
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Reality TV Dating: Nearly half are at least ‘somewhat’ interested in appearing on a love reality TV show.
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Marriage: Nearly two-thirds expect a marriage proposal—hypothetically speaking—after six years of dating.
Height-conscious daters stand out not just for what they look for in a partner, but also for how they live, spend, and even envision their relationships. Whether it’s adopting new tech, practicing mindfulness, or dreaming of reality TV romance, these preferences go far beyond appearances.