Demographic Segmentation Examples | Voxco (2024)

Segmentation by Age

Age is one of the most important variables by which consumers are segmented. This is because consumers’ preferences and needs vary significantly depending on the age group they fall under.

Age segmentation is done by generation or by life cycle stage. When it is done by generation, the different stages include millennials, generation z, and baby boomers. When it is done by the life cycle stage, the different categories include babies, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.

Example of demographic segmentation based on age:

Companies that sell soft drinks, like Coca-cola, often target young adults between the age of 15 to 25 by depicting young men or women in their marketing campaigns.

Segmentation by Gender

Individuals identify with different points in the gender spectrum, such as feminine and masculine. Their gender will often have a significant effect on their preferences and purchasing decisions.

By understanding which genders your products/services appeal to, you can make sure your marketing strategies are tailored to the right audience.

Example of demographic segmentation based on gender:

A lot of organizations that sell deodorants for men will often use marketing campaigns that depict a man using their deodorant and instantaneously becoming irresistible to the women around him.

They do so because most men get a strong sense of gratification when women are attracted to them. These campaigns want to show men that this deodorant can bring them this gratification, instantly.

Segmentation by Income

Segmentation by income is very important as a person’s income is a strong determinant of their purchasing decisions and their perceptions of pricing. Individuals in lower-income groups will prefer buying products that are inexpensive or reasonably priced, whereas those in high-income groups may be more interested in buying high-end and luxury products.

Example of demographic segmentation based on income:

Luxury clothing brands often advertise their products in luxury lifestyle magazines that appeal to high-income earners. These brands rarely use mainstream marketing channels, such as TV advertisem*nts, that are viewed by the masses.

This not only reinforces the exclusivity of their brand but also allows them to reduce their spending as they are focusing only on their target market.

Segmentation by Family

Societal family structures can play a significant role in shaping individuals’ preferences. People in larger families may prefer buying cheaper goods so that they can purchase in bulk. However, smaller families and single people may have more flexible spending patterns and may favor premium or luxury purchases.

Example of demographic segmentation based on family:

A lot of jewelry brands target newly engaged couples and will depict serious relationships within their ad campaigns. This is because jewelry is often purchased by couples who are about to get married.

These campaigns will try to depict loving couples that are ready to take the next step in their relationship and are looking for the right rings to commemorate their commitment.

Segmentation by Race and Religion

It is important for businesses to know the religious categorizations of their target market as religion can influence preferences.

Additionally, nationality and ethnicity can also play a significant role in influencing preferences. Such segmentation is most common in the food sector, as a lot of companies in this sector sell food from specific cuisines.

Example of demographic segmentation based on race & religion:

Some restaurants that serve Asian cuisines in western countries are trying to target Asian ex-pats that live in these countries. They often appeal to this audience by marketing the authenticity of their food.

Segmentation by Education

Consumers’ level of education plays a significant role in the shaping of marketing strategies. It also determines the channels that must be adopted to reach the target market.

Additionally, education levels affect the appeal of product features. Extremely basic product features may not appeal to a highly-educated audience, while complex product features may not appeal to consumers with low to medium levels of education.

Example of demographic segmentation based on education:

Tech companies that sell laptops have identified that a significant segment of their target market is college-going students.

They try to attract this segment by offering promotional offers to college-going students by giving them a discount on their laptops if they can provide proof of being a student (such as university identification cards).