Demographics Show Tattoos More Common Among Women, Black Americans, and Younger Adults

Tattoos are increasingly prevalent among certain demographic groups in the U.S., with women, Black Americans, and younger adults among the most likely to have at least one tattoo, according to a recent survey by Pew Research (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/15/32-of-americans-have-a-tattoo-including-22-who-have-more-than-one/).

Gender: Women lead in tattoo prevalence, with 38% reporting at least one tattoo, compared to 27% of men. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger women: 56% of women aged 18 to 29 and 53% of those aged 30 to 49 have tattoos.

Race and Ethnicity: Black Americans are the most likely to be tattooed, with 39% having at least one, followed by 35% of Hispanic, 32% of White, and 14% of Asian Americans.

Age: Age plays a significant role in tattoo ownership, with younger adults leading the way. Some 41% of those under 30 and 46% of adults aged 30 to 49 have tattoos, compared to just 25% of those aged 50 to 64 and only 13% of those 65 and older.

Education and Income: Educational and income levels also correlate with tattoo prevalence. People with some college or less education are more likely to have tattoos (37%) than those with a bachelor’s degree (24%) or a postgraduate degree (21%). Lower-income adults are also more likely to be tattooed, with 43% reporting at least one tattoo, compared to 31% of middle-income and 21% of upper-income adults.

Religion and Sexual Orientation: Tattoos are more common among the religiously unaffiliated (41%) than those with a religious affiliation (29%). Additionally, 51% of lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) Americans have tattoos, with women in this group showing even higher rates at 68%. By comparison, 31% of straight Americans have at least one tattoo.

Interestingly, the survey shows no significant differences in tattoo prevalence by political affiliation, urban, suburban, or rural living, or veteran status. About a third of Democrats and Republicans report having a tattoo, as do roughly a third of people living in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

In a 2010 survey, 23% of adults reported having a tattoo, though changes in survey methods make it difficult to directly compare the results. However, the latest findings suggest a continuing rise in tattoo popularity across various demographic groups.