demographic

dem·o·graph·ic | \ ˌde-mə-ˈgra-fik

, ˌdē-mə- \

Definition of demographic

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

adjective

variants: or less commonly demographical \ ˌde-mə-ˈgra-fi-kəl

, ˌdē-mə- \

Definition of demographic (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from demographic Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about demographic

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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 Shifting demographics and a backlash to President Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies have given Democrats an opening in diversifying battleground states from Arizona to Pennsylvania. — BostonGlobe.com, "Hispanic voters are growing in power. Why are Democratic presidential candidates ignoring them? - The Boston Globe," 27 Dec. 2019 The closure was a reminder that all restaurants have a lifespan, and shifting dining demographics are the deciding factor in how long they last. — Justin Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "From Lucca Ravioli to Jardiniere: Here are the biggest Bay Area restaurant closures of 2019," 24 Dec. 2019 Districts like this add to the case that Texas has grown more politically competitive for 2020, due to continually shifting demographics and tight 2018 races. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: McKinsey gives Buttigieg go-ahead to disclose clients," 9 Dec. 2019 The suburbs leaned Republican in the past but have become a key battleground amid shifting demographics and Trump’s turbulent presidency. — Alan Suderman, The Denver Post, "Democrats seize control of Virginia’s General Assembly for first time in 26 years," 6 Nov. 2019 But in the last decade, some residents have expressed concerns regarding gentrification and shifting demographics, namely the growing number of affluent white home buyers in the area. — Garrett Snyder, Los Angeles Times, "Coming soon: Jon & Vinny’s chooses South L.A. for its third location," 17 Oct. 2019 All run through suburbs where shifting demographics and an aversion to Trump among educated women are weakening the GOP. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Former GOP congressman Pete Sessions eyeing 2020 comeback," 2 Oct. 2019 The loss of one good government job could push a whole black family out of middle-class stability into lower-income precarity, permanently shifting economic demographics for generations. — Bryce Covert, Longreads, "Downsizing the American Black Middle Class," 24 Sep. 2019 Their revolution is the capitalist kind: progress by way of shifting demographics, reinforcement of the corporate status quo. — Adam Wilson, Harper's magazine, "Good Bad Bad Good," 16 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The secretary of education thinks so; the evidence suggests otherwise Graphic detail Jan 9th 2020 OF ALL THE demographic divisions among America’s Democrats and Republicans, few are as wide or as deep as the educational divide. — The Economist, "Daily chart Are left-wing American professors indoctrinating their students?," 9 Jan. 2020 The population grew for all the state’s older age-groups, highlighting the demographic challenge of an aging workforce in the coming generations. — Michael Sasso, BostonGlobe.com, "California is losing young people and Texas is getting more of them," 9 Jan. 2020 The Fashion Spot website became a diversity watchdog, regularly issuing reports on the demographic breakdown on the runways. — National Geographic, "The idea of beauty is always shifting. Today, it’s more inclusive than ever.," 7 Jan. 2020 Demographers also worry that the census' use of a new way to protect respondents' privacy could distort analyses of demographic trends. — Science News Staff, Science | AAAS, "The science stories likely to make headlines in 2020," 2 Jan. 2020 That optimism stretched across demographic lines, although men had a more positive outlook than women (83% versus 76%) and Southerners a more positive outlook than Midwesterners (84% versus 74%). — Susan Page, USA TODAY, "Will it be a happy new year? Sure, in our own lives. For the country? Poll says that's tougher.," 30 Dec. 2019 Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) presented its annual demographic update on Katy ISD enrollment growth at the December board of trustees meeting. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "Demographer predicts continued growth in KISD," 27 Dec. 2019 His three-hour radio program, Imus in the Morning, was widely popular, especially with the over 25-male demographic. — Duane Byrge, Billboard, "Don Imus, Legendary Radio personality, Dies at 79," 27 Dec. 2019 There’s not one demographic that buys or enjoys cannabis. — John Wenzel, The Know, "Starting Jan. 1, Coloradans will have more options for consuming cannabis in public. But will we catch up to California?," 27 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demographic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Demographic.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demographics. Accessed 17 January 2020.

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More Definitions for demographic

demographic

noun