Tune in as we delve into the world of radio news listeners!
We’ll explore the fascinating demographics, habits, and preferences of those who keep their dials turned towards this enduring form of news.
Let’s hit the airwaves and get started.
Quick Demographic Facts About Radio News Listeners
- 68% of Americans ages 12 and older had listened to online audio in the past month as of early 2021, while 62% had listened in the past week
- More than 71.2 million adults aged 18-34 use radio each month, reaching 90% of adults in this age group
- Nearly 59.6 million adults aged 35-49 use radio each month, reaching 94% of adults in this age group
- Half of U.S. adults have listened to a podcast in the past year, with one-in-five reporting listening at least a few times a week
- Radio listenership is almost equal for women and men aged 18-49, with 65.9 million (97%) and 65.4 million (98%), respectively, tuning in each month
- Among teens, radio reaches 93% of the U.S. population monthly
The numbers indicate radio news captures a wide range of demographic groups and remains an essential part of people’s daily content consumption.
Age Demographics
- 66.8 million weekly radio listeners in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 34 as of the first quarter of 2018
- More than 71.2 million adults aged 18-34 use radio each month, with 90% of adults in this age group reached monthly by radio
- Nearly 59.6 million adults aged 35-49 use radio each month, with 94% of adults in this age group reached monthly by radio
- As of early 2021, 68% of Americans aged 12 and older had listened to online audio in the past month, while 62% had listened in the past week
These figures indicate a wide range of radio listeners across various age groups and platforms, reflecting the continued relevance of radio as a medium for news and entertainment.
This is a bit different from the demographics of satellite radio listeners.
Gender Demographics
- In the United States, radio news reaches a significant portion of the population, with a nearly equal listenership between men and women in the 18-49 age group.
- Female listeners in this age demographic total 65.9 million (97%).
- Male listeners in the same age group amount to 65.4 million (98%).
Both genders show a strong preference for the Country music format.
Additionally, radio remains popular among teens, reaching 93% of the U.S. population monthly.
The data demonstrate a large and diverse audience for radio across different age groups and genders, with a remarkably even distribution of listenership between men and women.
Ethnicity Demographics
- Radio news reach is greater among Hispanics (97%) than African Americans (92%).
- African-American listeners spend slightly more time on a weekly basis (20 minutes) than Hispanic listeners.
- As of the first quarter of 2018, there were a total of around 66.8 million weekly radio listeners in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 34.
The data shows the continued significance of radio as a medium for diverse ethnic groups, with varying levels of engagement and listening habits among different demographics.
Demographic Breakdown Per State
In the United States, radio reaches a diverse audience with varying listening habits across different states and age groups.
- Adults 18-34: More than 71.2 million adults in this age group use radio each month, which accounts for 90% of this demographic.
- Adults 35-49: Nearly 59.6 million adults in this age group use radio each month, reaching 94% of this demographic.
- Adults 50 and older: Radio reaches a significant portion of this age group as well, although specific numbers weren’t provided in the search results.
It is essential to note that these statistics represent a nationwide snapshot and may not accurately reflect the unique preferences of individual states.
Local factors such as culture, music preferences, and political climate may impact these numbers, leading to variations in listener demographics per state.
Political Demographics
- Among American adults aged 18-34, approximately 71.2 million are regular radio listeners each month, accounting for 90% of this age group.
- For adults aged 35-49, nearly 59.6 million use radio monthly, representing a reach of 94% within this demographic.
- Radio has the largest reach among Generation X (ages 35-54), with 80.5 million listeners per month, or 97% of the Gen X population.
- Millennials (aged 18-34) account for 71.6 million radio listeners each month, which covers 95% of the Millennial population.
The data suggests that radio listenership remains strong across various age demographics, especially among Generation X and Millennials, highlighting its continued relevance in today’s media landscape.
Education Level Demographics
- 52% of people with a high school diploma or less prefer TV for news
- 29% of college degree holders prefer TV for news
- 39% of people with some college education prefer TV for news
- Internet tends to be preferred by those less likely to choose TV
More than 71.2 million adults (18-34) use radio each month, reaching 90% of this age group. For adults aged 35-49, nearly 59.6 million use radio each month, reaching 94% of this demographic.
The radio has a significant audience across multiple age groups, but there is a clear preference for TV or the internet as primary news sources depending on an individual’s level of education.
Average Income Level
- Adults 18-34: More than 71.2 million adults in this age group use radio each month, with radio news reaching 90% of adults within this demographic.
- Adults 35-49: Nearly 59.6 million adults in this age group use radio each month, with radio news reaching 94% of adults within this demographic.
- Adults 50 and older: Nearly 114.9 million adults in this age group use radio each month, with radio news reaching a significant portion of adults within this demographic.
Based on these numbers, it is evident that radio continues to be a prevalent and powerful medium across various age groups in the United States.
Other Interesting Facts About Radio News Listeners
- News/talk/information stations were among the most popular broadcast radio formats in 2019, with a 12% share of listeners among those aged 12 and older.
- In 2019, 41% of Americans aged 12 and older listened to online radio, which includes AM/FM stations online and other streaming platforms.
- Monthly radio reach for adults aged 18-49 is significant, with 132.4 million listeners (98% of the population) tuning in.
- The Country format is the preferred choice for adults aged 18-49.
- For adults aged 25-54, radio reach is even higher, with 123.6 million listeners (99% of the population) tuning in each month.
- Weekly terrestrial radio listenership in 2019 showed that a significant percentage of Americans aged 12 and older (82.5%) listened to AM/FM radio.
- In 2020, 50% of U.S. adults said they got news on the radio either often or sometimes.
It’s important to note that these statistics emphasize the significant reach of radio news among various demographics and the ongoing relevance of radio as a news medium in the United States.
Sources
- https://www.journalism.org/2021/07/02/trends-and-facts-on-audio-and-podcasts/
- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/02/12/for-world-radio-day-key-facts-about-radio-listeners-and-the-radio-industry/
- https://www.newsgeneration.com/broadcast-resources/radio-facts-and-figures/
- https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2020/the-steady-reach-of-radio-winning-consumer-attention/
- https://www.statista.com/topics/1383/radio/
- https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2021/04/29/state-of-the-news-media-methodology-2/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/219769/weekly-radio-listeners-in-the-us-by-demographics/
- https://www.statisa.com/statistics/471369/us-radio-listeners-by-demographich
- ttps://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2021/06/15/audio-and-podcasts-trends-and-facts/
- https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2021/06/15/public-broadcasting-trends-and-facts/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/324526/radio-listeners-by-demographic/
- https://www.newsgeneration.com/radio-facts-and-figures/
- https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/report/2018/how-america-listens/

