This miniatures survey could basically be broken down into 6 different sections of questions covering a number of different aspects of the miniature gaming and collecting hobbies. The following is the result of over 400 respondents to an automated survey posted online to a limited number of internet communities. Since this was the first time utilizing this survey software I did not want to attempt a larger target audience before it was tested, however 426 respondents is a substantial number of data points which I feel can be used with some level of accuracy.

The format of the survey was setup to allow for branching - both to make it easier for the respondents (they didn't have to answer questions which didn't apply to them) and also to help ensure an increased level of accuracy. For example if Respondent A doesn't collect miniatures for display, they would by pass all the related questions.

General Demographics

Are you Male or Female?

• Female 13.11%
• Male 86.89%

This was a somewhat expected response. At this point miniatures and wargaming still tend to be a largely male dominated hobby. Still it is important to note that within the recent years, more and more females have been coming into the fold. Often they tend to be attracted to the more artistic aspects of the hobby. 7% of the female respondents only collected miniatures for use as display whereas only a single male collected miniatures solely for display.

How old are you?

• 12-15 0.00%
• 16-18 0.00%
• 19-24 3.28%
• 25-35 34.43%
• 36-45 39.34%
• 46 and over. 22.95%

Here I was somewhat surprised that there were not younger hobbyists. Most likely it was due in large part to the target communities which tend to be a bit older on average, however there was not a single respondent under the age of 18.

What is your current marital status?

• Single, Never Married. 19.67%
• Married 72.13%
• Divorced 4.92%
• Prefer not to say 3.28%

This question was somewhat of a standard demographic question, which seems to lend itself to some interesting information (if you like that kind of stuff). Under 5% of respondents were divorced. In contrast the US Census Bureau places the divorcee rate at10% for currently divorced (as opposed to divorced and remarried) and 22% for ever divorced. Also interesting is that while there was a 20% Single, Never Married response to the survey, 27% Single, Never Married for the US population as a whole.

This is mainly of interest to me since wargamers, roleplayers and the like are more often than not portrayed as social misfits by mainstream media.

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than Highschool. 0.00%
• Highscholl/GED 6.56%
• Some College 27.87%
• Associates Degree 4.92%
• Bachelors Degree 40.98%
• Masters and Above 19.67%

Here again we find some interesting contrasts compared to society as a whole. While over 90% of the survey respondents have gone on to college and 65% have finished some form of degree program – 20% of the general population do not even finish high school. The population at large only sports 24% with Bachelors degrees or higher, were the hobbyists surveyed here almost triple that number with over 60%.

Now on with the stuff that is a little bit more specific with the miniatures hobby.