Board Game Demographics: 63 User Facts & Numbers [2023]

Board games have been a source of entertainment for centuries, but who plays them today?

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the demographics of board game players, including their age, gender, and preferred game types.

Understanding the characteristics of this growing community can help game developers and marketers cater to their specific needs and interests.

Check Also: demographic among mobile gamers.

Quick Demographic Facts About Board Game Fans

• 57% of gamers own between 1 and 25 board or card games in their homes.
• 22% have between 26 and 50 board or card games.
• 10.9% of gamers own over 100 board games.
• 34% of US consumers find playing board games very enjoyable.
• 44% of US consumers consider playing board games somewhat enjoyable.
• 11% of US consumers say board games aren’t very enjoyable.
• 7% of US consumers say board games are not enjoyable at all.
• 4% of US consumers are unsure if board games are enjoyable or not.
• In a 2020 survey, 38% of Gen Z respondents found board games enjoyable.
• 81.72% of board game players play with the same group of people at irregular times.
• 50.11% of players attend conventions about gaming.
• 43.68% of players have a regular play session.

These statistics highlight the diverse perspectives and experiences of board game enthusiasts, revealing a wide range of ownership, enjoyment, and social aspects within the community.

Age Demographics of Board Game Players

• In a 2020 survey, it was found that 38% of Gen Z respondents in the United States enjoyed board games more than their older counterparts.
• As for board game conventions, attendees are predominantly from the 45-54 age group, with 56% of them attending.
• In 2018, 45% of Canadian teen gamers aged 13 to 17 reported frequently playing card or board games.
• Shifting trends show that the traditional “gamer” stereotype is evolving, with more diverse demographics participating in board games.

These data points highlight how the demographics of board game players are diverse and evolving, with younger and older generations alike participating in this popular pastime.

Check also: Horror game demographics.

Gender Demographics of Board Game Fans

• In a survey conducted in Q4 2022, approximately seven in ten respondents indicated that they found board games enjoyable.
• A demographic survey among a publisher’s subscribers found that 91.7% of respondents were male, while 8.1% were female.
• Another 2016 table-top gamer demographic survey of 2,397 respondents found that 24% of board gamers were women, 1.1% were non-binary, and 0.6% identified as other genders. 
• An analysis of board game demographics shows substantial over-representation of white males in player demographics, game content, and among designers and illustrators. 
• A 2020 survey in the US found that younger generations enjoyed board games more than their older counterparts, with 38% of Gen Z respondents finding them enjoyable.

The board game industry seems to have a clear majority of male players; however, there is still a significant female presence. Efforts to increase diversity and inclusion will likely benefit the industry.

Interesting how this compares to the demographics of roleplaying fans.

Ethnicity Demographics Board Game Fans

• Most survey respondents were white (Caucasian) men, aged 25-44, from the US and the UK.
• A 2016 demographic survey of 3,427 respondents found 91.7% were male, and 8.1% were female.
• A 2020 survey showed that younger generations in the United States found board games to be more enjoyable than older generations.

The demographics of board game players indicate a majority of Caucasian male participants, with a growing and diverse proportion of female players.

This data highlights the importance of understanding the diverse audience within board game culture.

Education Level Demographics

When examining the education level demographics of board game players, the data presents several interesting insights:

• In the United States, 8.9% of the population age 25 and older has less than a high school diploma or equivalent.
• A significant portion, 27.9%, has a high school diploma as their highest level of educational attainment.
• Additionally, 14.9% of the population has completed some college but does not hold a degree.

Given these statistics, it’s evident that board game players come from a diverse range of educational backgrounds, reflecting the broad appeal of board games across the general population.

Board Game Ownership and Spending:

• 57% of people own between 1 and 25 board and card games.
• 22% have between 26 and 50 games.
• 5.9% own between 76 and 100 games.
• 4.2% of people own between 51 and 75 games.
• 10.9% own more than 100 board games.

Board Game Participation:

• In April 2022, 25% of US respondents reported never playing board games.
• As of May 2020, 38% of Gen Z respondents found board games enjoyable.

Involvement in the Board Game Community:

• 185 people reported creating their own board games.
• 81.72% play with the same group of people at irregular times.
• 50.11% attend gaming conventions.
• 43.68% have a regular play session.

The biggest game community exists on Discord. Here’s a breakdown of the demographics of Discord users.

These statistics reveal the income level of board game designers and various aspects of board game ownership, spending, and community involvement, highlighting that the board game industry is thriving, with many players actively participating and sharing enthusiasm for the hobby.

Other Interesting Facts About Board Game Fans

• The average board game enthusiast owns between 1 and 25 board games or card games in their homes.
• There was a 15% loss in the board games market in 2020.
• Tabletop games had the highest market share in 2020 at 67%.
• Tabletop games raised $236 million on Kickstarter in 2020.
• Board game cafes in the US experienced a 35% footfall decline in 2020.
• About 41% of board game players purchase 5-10 new board games or expansions a year.
• Approximately 35% of players buy four or fewer new games or expansions annually.
• An estimated 24% of board game fans purchase 11 or more new games or expansions per year, with 27% of those buying over 30.
• The average board game enthusiast owns between 1 and 25 board games or card games in their homes.
• There was a 15% loss in the board games market in 2020.
• Tabletop games had the highest market share in 2020 at 67%.
• Tabletop games raised $236 million on Kickstarter in 2020.
• Board game cafes in the US experienced a 35% footfall decline in 2020.
• About 41% of board game players purchase 5-10 new board games or expansions a year.
• Approximately 35% of players buy four or fewer new games or expansions annually.
• An estimated 24% of board game fans purchase 11 or more new games or expansions per year, with 27% of those buying over 30.
• 55% of board game players in the US are male and 45% are female.
• Board game participation is highest among adults aged 18-34, at 44%.
• About 41% of board game players are aged 35-54.
• Only 15% of board game players are aged 55 or above.
• In the US, the board game market is expected to reach $12 billion by 2023.
• The global board game market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2021 to 2026.
• Germany is the largest market for board games in Europe.
• The most popular board games in the US are strategy games, followed by family games and party games.
• Board games are increasingly being used in educational settings to teach various skills and subjects.
• The board game industry is becoming more diverse, with a greater representation of women and people of color as game designers and players.
• Board game sales in the UK rose by 240% in the first lockdown period of 2020.
• Board games are the oldest form of tabletop gaming, with some dating back over 5,000 years.
• Chess and backgammon are two of the oldest board games still played today, dating back to at least 3000 BCE.
• Monopoly is the best-selling board game of all time, with over 275 million copies sold worldwide.
• The game of Go is one of the oldest and most complex board games in existence, with more possible moves than there are atoms in the universe.
• Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular modern board games, with over 32 million copies sold.
• Scrabble is the most popular word game in the world, with over 150 million sets sold worldwide.
• The board game industry has seen a resurgence in recent years, with sales increasing by 28% between 2016 and 2017 alone.
• The largest board game convention in the world is Essen Spiel, held annually in Essen, Germany.
• Board games have been used throughout history to teach strategy, critical thinking, and social skills.
• Board games are a popular form of entertainment and social activity, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to have fun and connect.

These data points offer valuable insights into the habits and interests of board game fans, revealing the growth and challenges faced by the industry.

Sources

– https://www.statista.com/statistics/1129598/board-game-enjoyment-by-generation-us/
– https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/feature/whos-at-the-table-board-game-players-and-communities/
– https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/board-games-market-3822
– https://www.statista.com/statistics/1102742/board-game-popularity-gender-us/
– https://pineislandgames.com/blog/board-game-demographics
– https://whos-at-the-table.board-game-players-and-communities/
– https://www.statista.com/statistics/842401/board-game-enjoyment-generational-us/
– https://www.census.gov/
– https://usafacts.org/
– https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/07/05/millennials-board-game-popularity
– https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0093650220956081
– https://www.statista.com/statistics/321204/board-game-participation-level-us/
– https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisswartout/2021/11/10/a-board-game-that-brings-racial-inequities-to-life/
– https://www.dw.com