Modern Demographics You Won’t Find on the Census

Tuesday, May 182 min read

We all have a unique combination of identities that define us, whether that be our nationality, religion, race, etc. But beyond those more easily-identified labels, almost everyone is part of a subculture, whether it’s linked to your astrological sign, income, habits, or personal interests. Sometimes you’re part of an intentional community (maybe a professional association), and other times, you just happen to have similarities with the group (like fans of a certain band or personal style). Either way, you may have more in common with your neighbors than you think.

Woopie

Everyone wants to be a "woopie" — or someone who has an active post-retirement life. If you can’t wait to retire so you can travel and do all the things you didn’t have time for while you were climbing the corporate ladder, you’re all set to live the woopie life as soon as you leave that suit and tie behind.

Snowbird

You might be a "woopie" AND a "snowbird." The avian snowbirds travel in search of the perfect weather, and human snowbirds also migrate. If you know someone who alternates between sunny Florida and a northern state, that’s the snowbird style. Evading actual snow is their specialty, and they prefer to spend time in warm climates, migrating south with the birds before those first flakes start to fall.

VSCO Girl

"VSCO girl" is a term exclusive to Generation Z. It comes from a photo app called VSCO, and these teens are characterized by their oversized sweaters, scrunchies, and accessories that make them look like they’re always on a beach trip. VSCO girls — and boys — have an online persona that they don’t always show in their real lives.

Eboy

"Eboys" and "egirls" are the modern goths. Characterized by dark skater clothes and black painted nails, eboys show up on TikTok and Instagram. Like VSCO girls, eboys are almost exclusively Gen Z and much more comfortable expressing themselves online than they might be able to IRL.

HENRY

HENRYs have the potential for enormous wealth, even if they’re not quite there. "HENRY" stands for “High Earner Not Rich Yet,” and usually refers to younger people in lucrative fields. Maybe they entered the workforce in a high-paying career, but they have lots of student loans to pay off. Their high salaries will allow them to quickly accumulate wealth.

Singleton

Singletons are related to DINKs (Dual Income No Kids), but there’s no dual anything. Singletons are happy to live by themselves with no spouse or kids. The key to this demographic is that they’re content with a lifestyle that lets them have their space, their own home, and their freedom, though they may also be in a relationship or have previously lived with someone else.

Featured image credit: adamkaz/ iStock

Daily Question