Demographic questions are a key part of any survey. They help researchers understand the factors that may influence a respondent’s answers, interests, and opinions. By collecting demographic information, you can cross-tabulate and compare subgroups to see how responses vary between different groups.
Age
Age is one of the most common demographic questions. A person’s age often influences their knowledge and experience with the survey topic. For example, responses to a survey about consumer electronics may differ significantly between someone in their 20s and someone in their 70s.
Q. What is your age?
- Under 12 years old
- 12-17 years old
- 18-24 years old
- 25-34 years old
- 35-44 years old
- 45-54 years old
- 55-64 years old
- 65-74 years old
- 75 years or older
Ethnicity
Understanding a respondent’s ethnicity can provide insights into cultural influences on their responses. For example, someone raised in a rural Native American community may view environmental issues differently from someone raised in an urban setting.
Q. Please specify your ethnicity.
- White
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
- Native American or American Indian
- Asian / Pacific Islander
- Other
Education
Education level can influence responses to survey questions. Someone with a university degree may have different perspectives than someone whose formal education ended at secondary school.
Q. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
- No schooling completed
- Nursery school to 8th grade
- Some high school, no diploma
- High school graduate (or equivalent, e.g. GED)
- Some college credit, no degree
- Trade/technical/vocational training
- Associate degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Professional degree
- Doctorate degree
Household composition
Household composition, including marital status and number of children, can shape consumer behaviour. For instance, the type of television programming watched or snack foods purchased may differ depending on the number of children in a household.
Q. What is your marital status?
- Single, never married
- Married or in a domestic partnership
- Widowed
- Divorced
- Separated
Employment status
A person’s profession can influence how they answer survey questions. For instance, a financial advisor may have a different perspective on money management compared to someone in a different profession.
Q. What is your employment status?
- Employed for wages
- Self-employed
- Out of work and looking for work
- Out of work but not currently looking for work
- A homemaker
- A student
- Military
- Retired
- Unable to work
Other demographic questions
Other common demographic questions include religion, household income, number of children, and geographic location. Because some of these questions can be sensitive, always offer a ‘prefer not to answer’ option.
Some survey software solutions include pre-loaded demographic questions or ready-made survey templates to streamline the process.
How Snap XMP can help
Snap XMP offers quick-start questionnaire templates and access to a question library with over 100 professionally designed questions, and is trusted by government agencies and businesses of all sizes.
Click below to see how Snap XMP can help you gather valuable feedback.
Frequently asked questions
Why are demographic questions important in surveys?
Demographic questions help researchers understand how different groups of people think, behave, and respond to various topics. This data enables segmentation, trend analysis, and better decision-making based on audience characteristics.
How do I decide which demographic questions to include in my survey?
The questions you include should align with the goals of your survey. If your research focuses on consumer behaviour, age, income, and household composition might be key. If it is about workplace trends, employment status and education level would be more relevant.
What should I do if respondents are hesitant to answer demographic questions?
Always provide an option such as ‘Prefer not to answer’ to respect privacy. You can also explain why demographic questions are included and how the data will be used to make respondents feel more comfortable.
How can I ensure my demographic questions are unbiased?
Use neutral wording, avoid leading questions, and ensure response options are inclusive. For example, when asking about gender, consider including non-binary or self-described options.
Can I customise demographic questions in Snap XMP?
Yes, Snap XMP allows full customisation of demographic questions to suit your survey needs. You can modify templates, add new fields, and adjust question formats to gather the most relevant data.
