Kindle Demographics

[abaldu8246]

Does anyone know the demographics of Kindle buyers?  

Anthony

[Linjeakel]

I'm not sure if Amazon release that sort of information, but if you wanted to get a rough idea, you could do a poll here on KB. There may already have been one - you could try searching and see what you come up with.

[kansaskyle]

Some of the things I read indicated Kindle users were an older, richer, and more educated audience, which may be partly related to the original price point of the Kindle when first released. 

I expect the demographics radically changed when the K3 dropped to $139/$189, and again since the price dropped to $114/$164 for the special offers versions.

[BMathison]

Some of the things I read indicated Kindle users were an older, richer, and more educated audience, which may be partly related to the original price point of the Kindle when first released. 

I expect the demographics radically changed when the K3 dropped to $139/$189, and again since the price dropped to $114/$164 for the special offers versions.

I agree -- as the price comes down, the demographics are really going to change.  I think it's exciting to watch the entire process, and how it's changed since the original Kindle came out.

[Ann in Arlington]

Some of the things I read indicated Kindle users were an older, richer, and more educated audience, which may be partly related to the original price point of the Kindle when first released. 

I expect the demographics radically changed when the K3 dropped to $139/$189, and again since the price dropped to $114/$164 for the special offers versions.

I'd agree with this too.  The K1 originally sold for $399.  I wanted it from the first time I saw it but couldn't just drop that amount of money without being sure.  But the more I researched the more sure I was. . . .the price dropped to $359 and I jumped.  The K2 was released not quite a year later, at a price of $259 and the K1 discontinued. Then the price dropped to $189 in the Summer of 2010 and the K3 was released at the end of August at $139 and $189.  In less than 3 years the price went down by well over half.  It's a price now that, if I was seeing it for the first time, I'd not be hesitating at all to buy.

I'd also note that every time there's been a price drop, there's a little jump in new registrations at KindleBoards. . .also after the holidays!

[ElaineOK]

Other factors leaning towards an older demographic:

1.  It is great for long trips taken more frequently by retirees;
2.  Adjustable font is good for aging eyes;
3.  Weight and form factor are good for arthritic hands;
4.  Lack of book shelves is good for downsizing or for snowbirds.

I remember reading some time ago that Amazon was really surprised by the number of over 50's who were buying K1's and K2's.

Elaine
Norman, OK

[Kathy]

When I first saw it, it was at the $399 price. I wanted it but they sold out before I could purchase it. I finally jumped on board when the price dropped to $359 and I got the Oprah discount. I was able to sell it when the K2 came out and the same with the K2 to K3 model. The price is so much more affordable now and I'm sure that will change the demographics.

[JRTomlin]

I think it would be fascinating to know the demographics. A survey here excludes people who don't tend to join boards so I'm not terrifically accurate but better than nothing. For sure, that's information Amazon isn't likely to release. I do think it's appealed more to older users than many people thought but older users are MUCH less nervous about technology than many people assume. It was after all the older user who developed and popularised the PC.

[Sean Thomas Fisher]

That is a great question and I agree with BMathison. The demo is sure to widen with every price-reduction and Christmas that passes. But like JR said, probably going to be difficult to scrape up concrete stats anytime soon.

[Me and My Kindle]

There was a study done in November that found that the Kindle was most popular with people over the age of 65.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/45325-digital-reader-penetration-accelerates.html

Surprisingly, it was younger people who formed the two age demographics that were least-likely to own a Kindle: 25- to 34-year-olds, and then 18- to 24-year-olds.  I think that's the real reason that Amazon's last commercial for the Kindle -- "The Book Lives On" -- was filled with young people in coffee shops, with a hip indie rock song.  ("Silhouette, tell me a tall tale, go, shout it out....")

The researchers called a sample of 6,250 people who buy books, and got their age (and whether they owned a Kindle).  The next two age brackets which were most likely to say they owned a Kindle were  35- to 44-year-olds, and then 45- to 54-year-olds.  (And yes, I think it does has to do with people reaching a point in their careers where they can afford a dedicated book-reading gadget -- plus the advantages of being able to increase font sizes if their eyesight is getting worse!)

[QuantumIguana]

It makes sense that the two groups most likely to get a Kindle are two groups least likely to have children in the house. The older demographic, their children have left the house. The younger demographic, many of them don't have children yet. For families with children, the cost of an e-reader for everyone can really build up.

[Nicholaz]

Some of the things I read indicated Kindle users were an older, richer, and more educated audience, which may be partly related to the original price point of the Kindle when first released. 

Seeing the nicknames on Kindle book reviews (also partly the top#100 book topics), I'd say the demographics lean to a majority of female users.

Nick

[abaldu8246]

I see a lot of Kindle books aimed at the younger demographic.  That concerns me as the characters in my novel range in age from 30 to 70. 

[Ann in Arlington]

I see a lot of Kindle books aimed at the younger demographic.  That concerns me as the characters in my novel range in age from 30 to 70. 

Well, what we're really talking about here is how old are people with Kindles, not what 'age focused' books they read. 

And, anyway, with over 982,000 Kindle books available from Amazon -- not to mention compatible format books available elsewhere, I think it's safe to say that no matter what age you are or what you like to read, you'll find ample material.