POLL: The average age in the US is 38.5 years old (What's the average age at DU?)

[NurseJackie]

The average age in the United States is 38.5 years old. This is a small increase from 38.2 in 2018. States in the western half of the United States tend to have a lower median age than states in the eastern half. The median age ranges from 31.2 years to 45.1 years.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/median-age-by-state

⭐⭐ I wonder what the average age is for the folks here at DU. I think we're probably older than an average of 38.5 (but I could be wrong.)

=============================
Poll Question: How old are you?
=============================

113 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Under 20
	1 (1%)
	21-30
	1 (1%)
	31-40
	5 (4%)
	41-50
	11 (10%)
	51-60
	36 (32%)
	61-70
	43 (38%)
	71-80
	15 (13%)
	81-90
	1 (1%)
	91-100
	0 (0%)
	Over 100... bow down before me!
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Dream Girl]

1. Maybe you should retitle this so people realize this is a poll and more people answer?

Just a suggestion. I’d been thinking of doing a poll like this. I’m very curious...Thanks for posting.

[NurseJackie]

3. Good idea.

I'm not sure how the title/subject is displayed in mobile devices, but on my computer screen it says:

The average age in the United States is 38.5 years old. (Poll)

But, the tiny little icon and the non-bold label doesn't really stand out very well.

I'll try to come up with something.

[Marthe48]

2. Is that before or after Covid-19?

(she said bitterly)

[NurseJackie]

4. I hear ya!

[Towlie]

5. I clicked "Undo" when I realized that "Show usernames" would display my age group.

 
?

Anyway, you won't get an average by arbitrarily grouping ages like this. You need individual ages, and that means reading each post and recording each age. Then you can determine the average age of DU users who don't mind revealing their ages, which would be more of an indication of what age people are most willing to reveal.

[Dream Girl]

6. I think this is fine. This is how age Demographics are gathered in most surveys. You are correct,

You can’t get an Average age, but this is a quick way to get an age distribution. Eg. 50% of DUers are between 50-60 etc.

[NurseJackie]

7. That's pretty much what I had in mind. With a maximum of 10 choices...

... using a quick-and-easy poll it loses some granularity. It provides a nice "instant" visual chart without everyone needing to provide their exact age (and without someone having to do the math and division.)

[Croney]

9. You don't want us to know your age?

That means you haven't reached that age where we're so astounded to still be alive, we start bragging about it. 😁

[NurseJackie]

10. Yeah. It's not a scientific poll. Just for fun, that's all.

[Mister Ed]

8. So, it looks like the average age at DU is "early Bronze Age". n/t

[NurseJackie]

11. That's how it's shaping up, isn't it?

It's all just for fun and conversation. I hope people don't take it too seriously or too much of an invasion of privacy.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. If that's close to "Neanderthal Modern", I'm in.

[Demovictory9]

28. lol... young folks don't follow politics

[Celerity]

48. not sure if this is sarcasm, but if not, you are vastly mistaken, and this goes for many nations,

not just the US. If you were just having a laugh, then I apologise in advance.

Without us (not just the record youth turnout, but the way we cast our votes), Trump would still be president, and the Rethugs would control both the House and the Senate.


Election Week 2020: Young People Increase Turnout, Lead Biden to Victory

https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/election-week-2020

We estimate that 52%-55% of youth voted in 2020, and their impact—especially youth of color's overwhelming support for Biden—was decisive in key races across the country. Election Day served as the culmination of an unprecedented election cycle shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, a nationwide movement for racial justice, and the boundless energy of young people who made their voices heard in the streets and at the ballot box. Our research reveals that young voters increased their turnout in 2020; they made the difference in key battleground states; and the participation and overwhelming support for President-elect Joe Biden from youth of color was one of the defining elements of the election.


How Record-Setting Youth Turnout in the 2020 Election Surpassed 2016 Levels

https://www.lx.com/politics/how-record-setting-youth-turnout-in-the-2020-election-blew-away-expectations/24200/

New analysis of young voter turnout indicates a higher percentage of adults under the age of 30 cast ballots in this fall’s presidential election than any other election in history, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University. With more than 25 million votes cast by Gen Z and Millennials, CIRCLE estimated young adult turnout will top 53 percent, besting the previous high of 51%, set in 2008. Exit poll data indicates adults under 30 favored Democrat Joe Biden over Republican Donald Trump by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, with young people of color leaning significantly more left. According to CIRCLE, Black voters under 30 favored Biden by a 76-point margin; Asian voters under 30 favored Biden by a 69-point margin; and Latino voters under 30 favored Biden by a 51-point margin. White voters favored Biden by just six points.



Surge in youth voter turnout may have helped propel Biden to victory

Analysis suggests increase of as much as 10% in youth voter turnout – with high engagement in battleground states

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/09/youth-turnout-us-election-biden-victory-young-voters

In an election of many firsts, it appears that surging youth turnout in a number of key states may have helped propel Joe Biden to victory. Analysis suggests an increase of as much as 10% in youth voter turnout – with particularly high engagement in 11 key battleground states. That may have been game-changing for Joe Biden, who had the support of 61% of people aged 18-29.

snip

“Young people are targeted with voter suppression just like communities of color are. But when you break down barriers for young people they turn out,” said Nicole Hensel, executive director of Colorado’s largest youth voting initiative, New Era Colorado where initial numbers suggest a jaw-dropping youth turnout of 70%.

[Demovictory9]

57. was not being sarcastic... it's a fact, older people more likely to follow politics. Thanks for the

articles though... it's heartening to see the increase in youth participation

[Celerity]

63. if you have said older people follow politics MORE than us younger ones, then I never would have

replied, as that is very true, but you said



a non comparative statement

[Demovictory9]

65. ok. got it. you are right. should have said "less likely than older folks"

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Nah!

Late bronze, early iron!

[IcyPeas]

12. 262,108 user registrations here on DU according to the Home page.

we are not a very large group per se.

[NurseJackie]

13. Many of those are inactive or banned... I don't know how many "active users" we have here.

A couple or three thousand maybe? With all the different groups and sub-groups and various topics, I'm sure there are many folks that I never see (and many who will never see this poll.)

It's just a fun-zee poll. I'm not sure how much can be learned from it. But it's a good distraction on a late Friday afternoon.

[mnhtnbb]

14. I was a lot younger when I joined DU 16 years ago.

[Disaffected]

15. I'm a little disappointed

there aren't more younger folks represented here.

[smirkymonkey]

20. Yes, that disappointed - and surprised - me as well.

I remember years ago when we used to have quite a few young people.

[MissMillie]

22. lol... I used to be one of them

[smirkymonkey]

23. Actually, so was I!

Kids these days!

[Disaffected]

24. Older but wiser

I guess....

It's odd though, they say that the older we become, the more conservative we (tend to) become. I dunno, it wasn't the case for me but the opposite for my sister (who used to be ultra liberal but sorta middle ground/conservative now).

[smirkymonkey]

42. I think the older I am, the more political I have become.

When I was younger, I just wasn't that involved. I was always liberal, but not always that committed. What would it take to engage younger people? They are the ones who are going to be inheriting this mess if it doesn't get straightened out.

[NurseJackie]

21. They're on the Tick-Tock and the Tweeter and the Instantgram.

Also posting messages on the Netflix and downloading from the Roku and the uploading pictures to the Spotify (or something.)

🤪🤪

[Victor_c3]

53. Don't forget the Me-Pods and boomy-boxes n/t

[NurseJackie]

55. Ha!

[Celerity]

30. the last one had over 500 replies at one point, and it was me and a 19yo (at that time) as the only

ones 25yo and under, and the 19yo never posts (her parents are DUers if I recall correctly)

so far I am now, on this one, the only one 30 or younger



This is not a very young people friendly place overall

The millennial bash threads (thankfully have not seen many lately) are so discouraging and the oldest millennials are now 40, so hardly 'kids', which is so often used as a descriptive when we discussed here. (I am a Zillennial (also called Zennial), born right on the Gen Z/Millennial border)


Ok so what is a zillennial? And how do I know if I am one?

https://thetab.com/uk/2021/03/15/ok-so-what-is-a-zillennial-and-how-do-i-know-if-i-am-one-198701


Ever feel like you’re trapped between millennials and Gen Z? You don’t care about rising house prices or buying all your clothes on Depop? But you do like avocado toast and TikTok? Then you’re probably a zillennial. The zillennials are a specific group of people born in the mid to late 90s who are essentially an in-between generation who has no clue where they fit in. The middle child of an overbearing older millennial generation and far too cool younger Gen Z. Zillennials can both relate and feel alienated from the generations either side of them. We watched the same TV shows growing up but we’re worlds apart when it comes to internet trends. Hmm zillennial life is really tricky lol. I remember us being the first kids to have computer labs, and cell phones as children, but I also remember playing online games on EarthLink and my dad having floppy disks 💀

What actually is a zillennial?

According to Urban Dictionary a zillennial is a micro generation of people born “three years before the end of millennials and/or three years after the start of generation z”. So essentially anyone born between 1992 and 1998. They can sometimes feel “lost” because “they can’t completely identify as being part of a single generation.”

What makes zillennials different to millennials and gen-z?

Millennials and Gen Z have very specific references, cultural moments and behaviours that sums up their generation. The millennial generation know what it’s like to go to university and pay less than £9k. They love avocados and use phrases like “adulting”, “I did a thing” and “doggo” unironically. They wear their hair in side partings and don’t hate skinny jeans. Whereas Gen Z actually know how to use TikTok and communicate solely through Snapchat. They wear flared trousers, only shop on Depop and use the word “simp”. They’re activists who have basically been protesting since the day they were born. But for zillennials they don’t have a specific culture because being born on the boundary of both means you relate to the different generations but you’re not entrenched within one of them enough to say you’re part of it. A zillennial for example will love avocado toast but gags at using the word “doggo”. They know how to use TikTok but the idea of going on Snapchat to talk to their mates is bizarre, they don’t even have the app.

Link to tweet

How do I know if I’m a zillennial?

Apart from it being the year you were born there are key things that give away your zillennial status. Growing up as a zillennial meant chatting on MSN to your friends, making a Bebo profile and sharing cringe collages on Facebook. You would watch the mid range Disney Channel and Nickelodeon shows – Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and iCarly. Oh and of course Tracy Beaker. The Wii became a thing just as we were reaching 10 years old, which meant birthday parties for the next few years heavily featured Just Dance. You definitely had an iPod Touch, but equally do know how to use a Walkman. By the time you reached secondary school Jane Norman and Tammy Girl weren’t really the vibe. You would shop at American Apparel, Topshop and New Look. We would plait our hair into fishtail plaits to post on Instagram with a Valencia filter.

Link to tweet

As a zillennial the majority of our teenage years were spent on the Internet, which is probably the true difference between us and millennials. We went on Tumblr, WeHeartIt and basically made Zoella into the woman she is today. Sixth form can essentially be summed up as Snapchat Stories and YikYak. Now the zillennial shops at Glossier, ASOS and makes the occasional Depop purchase. We’ve deleted Snapchat and downloaded TikTok. We know how to make videos but feel practically ancient watching Addison Rae do yet another dance TikTok. Being a zillennial in your early 20s means you have friends who are still travelling the world whereas others have put deposits down for a flat. Which also makes things super complicated when dating because you end up on a date with someone still living at their parents house or someone on £40k. The over riding feeling of being a zillennial is that of uncertainty, confusion but at least knowing you are a little bit cooler than millennials.



Zennial

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Zennial

[Oneironaut]

32. Hiiii!

PS - I hate the word, “Simp.’ I think our generation’s greatest accomplishment will forever be the word “YEET!’

[Celerity]

69. Hello!

[Kaleva]

37. "This is not a very young people friendly place overall"

Historically, young people don't vote like older groups do and and are probably not as engaged in politics as the older groups are.

I don't come here because it's "friendly". It often isn't. I come here because it's my one-stop shopping for news and interesting discussions on a wide variety of topics I'm interested in.

[betsuni]

43. +1

[Celerity]

45. Perfect example of what I am saying, and you know what that the term

means. There is a serious disconnect here with a multiplicity of subjects involving the cultural zeitgeist of the sub 30, 35 cohorts.

Some of the attitudes directed towards us and our socio-economic, socio-cultural way of life, our situational outlooks, etc. I have have seen expressed here iver my almost 3 years are atrocious at times. Openly mocking, hostile, belittling, ridiculing, with enough draw-bridging to equip 1000 castle moats.

I have tried like hell to get many of my social set, my age cohort (18 to 30, as I am dead in the middle) friends, classmates (both current and past) etc. to come and participate in the forum, and almost to a person they have have all looked, lurked (some for months, some even making accounts) and told me thanks but no thanks.

By far the biggest reason given (well over half) was the the constant trashing of (heads will now explode in certian sectors) AOC. I think so many here underestimate her influence on younger people, especially as a female model of empowerment.

I am sure much of what I say will not be accepted by some, but it is what it is.

[Kaleva]

58. Which political forums have your friends found to be friendly?

" Openly mocking, hostile, belittling, ridiculing, with enough draw-bridging to equip 1000 castle moats."

I'm 62, been a member since 2008, and I'm used to that. It doesn't bother me as this is just an internet forum populated by people using made up names.

"By far the biggest reason given (well over half) was the the constant trashing of (heads will now explode in certian sectors) AOC. "

I don't have an issue with AOC. She does what she does. Same with Bernie who I believe gets attacked here far more then AOC and has been the target of many for longer then AOC. Many Bernie supporters left or were kicked out back in 2016. Congressman Bart Stupak was once the target of many and I was one of the very few who defended him. It was not nice but again I kept in mind that this is just an internet forum.

Having been a member of the Howard Dean, John Edwards and John Kerry forums, I'm very well aware that politics is a bloodless blood sport and discussions can become quite nasty.

Finally, I don't know the age or sex of most everyone here. Had you not mentioned your age bracket, my guess would be that you are one of those who are close to collecting SS or is already collecting SS. I don't know if you are male or female and I don't recall reading anything in previous posts of yours that made me think your were part of a younger generation.

[JarOCats]

60. At 59, I can relate. Ever hear of Generation Jones?

...a.k.a. Baby Busters? We're at the tail end of the nonsensical 1946-64 cohort, in which the oldest males were already getting drafted while I was entering the first grade. They're "Howdy Doody" and Annette; we're "The Brady Bunch" and Linda Ronstadt. And ne'er the twain, etc.

[Celerity]

61. yes, deffo know Gen Jones, VPOTUS Harris is one, Obama too

[JarOCats]

67. Yes, I know. Prince, too...

We're in lots of good company.

[vercetti2021]

41. 30 here

I joined when I was 19

[FSogol]

16. Skinner did some of these demographic polls before. DU skews old.

Here's one from a 2018
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/10181050794

and 2010
https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7999013&mesg_id=7999013

[NurseJackie]

17. Interesting. Thanks for finding them and providing the links!

[FSogol]

18. Anytime. Sorry I couldn't find the polls Skinner did. n/t

[madinmaryland]

66. Robb is a Dingbat posted that!

[highplainsdem]

25. Two points about this thread: 1) The "average age" in the US is NOT the average age of people

old enough to get online and join forums. That would probably be closer to 45 than 38.

2) Facebook and similar social media had a negative impact on message boards like this one, almost certainly making their average age skew quite a bit older.

[NurseJackie]

27. It's just for fun.

But those are fascinating observations. I had not thought of that. Thank you.

[highplainsdem]

31. I'm not objecting to your poll - I'm glad you posted it. We've had a number of these over the years,

and as was pointed out elsewhere here, all of them have shown that DU members tend to be older rather than younger adults.

I was just looking at population statistics on Wikipedia, and kids under 18 are just under 20% of the population.

Older adults, 55 and older, are nearly 30% of the population, with adults between 18 and 54 slightly more than 50% of the total population (which is close to the 18-49 yo demographic for TV ratings that's so important to advertisers).

The largest demographic group on Facebook is people who are 25-34. I'd guess that age group is a small percentage of most message boards.

[NurseJackie]

44. The reason I thought of doing it is because of the reactions to...

... my post about a safety-shower-chair. I was surprised at the number of people who ALREADY had (or who were seriously considering) things like shower-chairs, shower-benches, shower-stools, extra handrails, walkers, rollators, canes, etc.

I always imagined DUers as being a younger crowd ... so I guess we're just young at heart.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

26. I've seen similar polls in the past, and DU...

... is definitely mostly comprised of older people, in general.

There was an old poll about pensions from jobs (not including Social Security or private-investment plans), and the large percentage of posters who had pensions was a quick giveaway that DU posters skewed older. Much of those benefits were killed-off by the time Generation X was working.

[Polybius]

33. This is the oldest forum that I've ever seen

It's the only one where most are older than my old ass.

[lamp_shade]

34. kick for visibility

[Kaleva]

35. Many of us have been here for sometime so the average DUer gets older and older

I was in my 40s when I joined and am now in my 60s.

Edit: There have been polls like this in the past and if i have some time, I might look for them to compare.

[Blasphemer]

39. Right. I was 27 when I joined in 2003. nt

[betsuni]

36. I feel weird about being 61.

I still sort of live like a student.

[Kaleva]

38. I'm 62 and babysit a lot so I play with toys and sometimes watch Blippi

[betsuni]

40. This is totally normal in my world.

[Maxheader]

46. Interesting.

Is new gen the 60 - 71 group?...

[NurseJackie]

47. It was my "shower chair" post that got so many positive responses...

... and others sharing stories of their access/mobility issues (and solutions) that made me start wondering about the typical age of DUers.

It is interesting, isn't it? I always thought DU was probably younger (on average). I guess we're just young-thinking and young-at-heart.

[George II]

49. Being the nerd that I am, and taking the middle age of each group, the average so far is 60.46

[Klaralven]

50. So we're pretty much the same as Congress then --

The average age of Members of the House at the beginning of the 117th Congress was 58.4 years; of Senators, 64.3 years

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46705

Except maybe we don't have enough in the 80+ bin.

[George II]

51. Just to clarify, this is a chronological poll not an intellectual poll, right?

[NurseJackie]

52. Well, yes... that was the idea! 🤣😂🤣🤪😜

Sometimes I forget that I'm as old as I am, and I often think of myself as being in my 50's (then I lose my balance, or I see the gray and wrinkles in a mirror... and I realize the truth.)

[LAS14]

54. 76

[Hortensis]

56. Hi, to our younger generations. Bring friends and bend minds. :)

[NurseJackie]

59. ...

[KentuckyWoman]

62. Good poll ... kick

[hunter]

64. Jesus fucking Christ...

... I never expected to live this long.

It hurts.

[sheshe2]

68. Great poll, Jackie.

Thanks.