The Demographics of American Birders
In the last issue of Birders United news we reported that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that there are now 48 million birders in the United States.
Here is a demographic breakdown of the birder population. Birders tend to be older. More than 27 percent of all Americans over 55 years of age identify themselves as a birder. For those in the 25 to 34 age group, only 13 percent are birders.
Birders also tend to be from high income groups. Nearly 30 percent of those earning $75,000 or more annually consider themselves birders. But only 17 percent of those in the $20,000 to $29,000 income group say they enjoy birding.
For all Americans with a college degree, 28 percent are birders. But only 12 percent of high school dropout say they are birders.
The birder community is predominantly white. Nearly one quarter of the white population over the age of 16 identifies him- or herself as a birder. But only 8 percent of Hispanics and 6 percent of blacks say they are birders

Demarie Wood
Port Angeles, WA
maknati at hotmail.com


"Things are never so bad but they could be worse."
Grandfather winter 1904
Working as a Teacher for Dr. Sheldon Jackson
Ikogmute (Russian Mission), AK