New Study Says Most Vinyl Collectors Are Middle Aged Introverts

What is the profile of the average vinyl record buyer? Vinyl's resurgence has often been credited to hipsters, or millennials getting interested in the format. But it turns out that it's middle aged men like me making vinyl soar.

In a new survey of vinyl buyer demographics, the majority of record buyers are age 45 to 54. People age 18 to 24 were least likely to buy their music on vinyl. The study also found that 66% of vinyl enthusiasts couldn't make it through the day without listening to music. 56% of them prefer keeping their feelings to themselves, and 69% said they enjoy being alone!

I have to dispute some of the results right up front. Vinyl's comeback definitely has roots in the 18 to 24 year old demographic. I don't buy the fact that age group doesn't buy records. As for the more personal results of the study, I really can't argue. I'm a fairly outgoing person, but it took a lot of work to get that way. I was an introvert most of my life, and given the chance, I often return to that state. If you give me the choice between going out in a large group of people, or staying home and listening to my records, I'll choose staying home more than half the time. That's the power that music has over me. Collecting vinyl records is just my latest way of expressing that.

So go ahead and call me a middle aged, anti-social introvert. I've been called worse.