Women Over 55 Take Facebook by Storm
The number of US women over age 55 using Facebook grew by 175.3% since September 2008, making mature females one of the fastest growing demographic groups on the social network, according to usage statistics released by independent blog Inside Facebook.
The number of men over age 55 also grew dramatically during the same four-month period (up 137.8%), but women over 55 still outnumber men in this age group by almost two-to-one.
Key Facebook stats as of Feb. 1, 2009, from Inside Facebook:
- There are 45.3 million active US Facebook users.
- The number of Facebook users are growing in every age/gender demographic.
- Facebook use among women is growing faster than among men in nearly every age group.
- The fastest growing age group by total users is 26-34-year-olds; 45% of Facebook’s US audience is now 26 years old or older.
Older Users Fuel US Audience Growth
Facebook’s US audience has continued to grow in recent months, fueled primarily by those ages 26+, said Inside Facebook. In particular, the network has rapidly gained popularity in the US with people 45+, growing by more than 165% among both men and women in the last four months.
Women Outnumber Men
Overall, women (56.2%) on Facebook in the US outnumber men in every age group. This number is up from 54.3% late last year.
Nearly Half of Users over Age 26
Overall, 45% of Facebook’s 45.3 million active users in the US are now age 26 or older, and nearly a quarter are over age 35.
Teens now make up about 12% of the overall Facebook audience, according to Inside Facebook. Facebook does not publish data on users under 13, because the terms of service require all users be at least 13 years old to join.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Great article! There’s an excellent site that was out ahead of this trend called vibrantnation.com. It’s a social networking site targeting this demographic and they will undoubtedly enjoy the benefit as a result of having been first on the scene and providing quality useful content.
February 11th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Nice headline - it led me to read the article further. All I can say is that I’m surprised with the stats presented. I mean, who knew? Good news for my brother…he likes older women
February 12th, 2009 at 11:16 am
We get it. And we set up a special group to handle the Pc issues for these “Prime of Life” women inside Facebook, with FREEQuently UnAnswered Questions Experts available.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I like that…”Prime of Life” women. We get it too…we are not willing to let technology leave us behind. Now excuse me while I go make my Facebook profile.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am
You may have gone off to college, but clearly, Mom IS watching.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I am over 55 and I am perfectly happy with just plain e-mail.
February 27th, 2009 at 12:14 am
It is not a surprising article although it is certainly an interesting one. We may be over 55 but we still are out ther (in other words, we may be old, but we are not dead) We still like to keep up on what and who is out there.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
As a social media strategist in healthcare, focusing on women, i’m glad to see the official stats. I have been experiencing rapid growth on my own group page on FACEBOOK, RealWomen on Health!
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
This will mark a major turning point for Facebook.
the core user of Facebook is young Adult/ kids…and what kids frequent places that women 55+ frequent?
not many.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
We are seeing this at our Retirement Media company. Most are reluctant to join Facebook because of the things they have heard in the media, but once several friends get join and talk about Facebook, then they give it a try and see it is not too bad after all.