Demographic and Political Profile

For this survey, we completed N=3,058 web-enabled interviews with 18- to 29- year-olds in the U.S.

Demographic profile:

  • 48 percent male, 52 percent female;
  • 57 percent are between the ages of 18 and 24; 43 percent are between the ages
    of 25 and 29;
  • 59 percent White (non-Hispanic), 19 percent Hispanic, 13 percent African-American (non- Hispanic), 7 percent other and 2 percent 2+ races;
  • 20 percent are Catholic, 14 percent Protestant, 12 percent Fundamental/Evangelical, 2 percent Mormon, 2 percent Jewish, 1 percent Muslim, 10 percent another religion, 25 percent cite no religious preference and 13 percent decline to answer or say “not sure;”
  • 44 percent with a religious preference say that religion is a very important part of their life, 35 percent say that it is somewhat important and 17 percent say it is not very important;
  • 18 percent are married, 11 percent are living with a partner, 1 percent are divorced, 1 percent are separated and 69 percent have never been married.

Current educational status:

  • 6 percent of the sample indicated that they are in high school, 2 percent in a trade or vocational school, 11 percent are in a two-year junior or community college, 21 percent in a four-year college, 5 percent in graduate school, 1 percent in a business or professional school, 1 percent are not enrolled but taking at least one class and 54 percent of 18- to 29- year olds surveyed are not enrolled in any of these categories;
  • 71 percent of college students attend a public institution, 29 percent a private one.

Political and ideological profile:

  • 68 percent say they are registered to vote;
  • 19 percent consider themselves to be politically engaged or active;
  • 36 percent self-identify as liberal or leaning liberal, 31 percent moderate, and 33 percent conservative or leaning conservative;
  • 37 percent consider themselves Democrats, 25 percent Republicans, and 38 percent Independents.

Employment status:

  • 55 percent are working as a paid employee, 3 percent are self-employed, and 21 percent are looking for work.
     

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