demographic

1 of 2

noun

dem·​o·​graph·​ic ˌde-mə-ˈgra-fik 

ˌdē-mə-

1

demographics plural : the statistical characteristics of human populations (such as age or income) used especially to identify markets

a change in the state's demographics

2

business : a market or segment of the population identified by demographics

trying to reach a younger demographic

demographic

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly demographical

ˌde-mə-ˈgra-fi-kəl 

ˌdē-mə-

1

: of or relating to demography or demographics

demographic data

2

sociology : relating to the dynamic balance of a population especially with regard to density (see density sense 2c) and capacity for expansion or decline

demographic trends

a demographic shift

demographically

ˌde-mə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

ˌdē-mə-

adverb

Did you know?

Demographic analysis, the statistical description of human populations, is a tool used by government agencies, political parties, and manufacturers of consumer goods. Polls conducted on every topic imaginable, from age to toothpaste preference, give the government and corporations an idea of who the public is and what it needs and wants. The government's census, which is conducted every ten years, is the largest demographic survey of all. Today demographic is also being used as a noun; so, for example, TV advertisers are constantly worrying about how to appeal to "the 18-to-24-year-old demographic".

Examples of demographic in a Sentence

Noun

The town's demographics suggest that the restaurant will do well there.

The newspaper will be making some changes in order to adapt to the region's shifting demographics.

The demographics of the disease are changing, and we are seeing much younger people being affected by it.

Adjective

The demographic information shows that the population increased but the average income went down.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Regents overruled a faculty task force, which had found the tests to be predictive of college success across demographics and recommended keeping them. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Even the demographics that traditionally read the most—retirees, women, and college graduates—have seen a collapse. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Adjective

Top universities are missing middle-class students College aid officials talk a lot these days about a demographic phenomenon variously called the missing middle, the doughnut or the barbell. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 July 2026

When residents and business owners began talking about creating a city in the Santa Clarita Valley nearly three decades ago, few could have imagined the demographic juggernaut the region would become. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of demographic entry 2

Adjective

demography + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for demographic

• autographic
• biographic
• calligraphic
• cartographic
• cryptographic
• epigraphic
• ethnographic
• geographic
• holographic
• hydrographic
• lithographic
• mammographic

Medical Definition

demographic

adjective

de·​mo·​graph·​ic ˌdē-mə-ˈgraf-ik  ˌdem-ə- 

1

: of or relating to demography

2

: relating to the dynamic balance of a population especially with regard to density and capacity for expansion or decline

demographically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb