Survey says, “What census?”

Data from The Penguin’s Quality of Nightlife survey reveal a younger and more feminine Silver Spring than Da Man would have you believe.

The largest age group to participate in The Penguin survey was 25 to 34 years old — not too old to rock and roll, yet much too young to die. Of the 275 people who took the survey, 84 (31 percent) were that age.

However, 2006 US Census data say this age group makes up 18 percent of Silver Spring. Instead, the census says people over 55 make up the area’s largest group at nearly 19 percent. Compare that with the 13.5 percent (37 of 275) of Penguin respondents who were that age.

There were also more women than men to participate in The Penguin survey — 55 percent female versus 43 percent male. Compare that chick-to-dude ratio with the census data, which claim that more men (51 percent) than women (49 percent) live in Silver Spring.

While The Penguin survey did not ask for specific income ranges, 246 of the 275 participants (89.5 percent) said they were comfortable with their household earnings. About 2 percent of respondents (6 of 275) said they were filthy rich. Fourteen people (5 percent) said they were shit broke and out of luck.

As an FYI, the average household in this area pulls in $82,000 annually, with 27 percent of households hauling at least $100,000 a year. About 7 percent of the population lives below the poverty level, according to the census.

More Penguin households also reported fewer kids, with 59 percent claiming to have no children younger than 18 under their roofs. On the other hand, the census reports 43 percent of Silver Spring’s households to be kid-free.

The census defines Silver Spring’s borders as the Beltway to the north, Rock Creek to the west, Takoma Park and Prince George’s County to the east, and the District to the south. However, the census does include the Four Corners area.

The Penguin survey did not ask participants to identify their home neighborhoods. Instead, 170 respondents said they lived in the 20910 zip code, which includes the central business district. Seventy respondents said they lived in the 20901 zip code, which includes Four Corners.

Corrected Oct 8, 2007 at 10:00 p.m. — JD

What do Penguin readers think about Silver Spring’s music, theater and restaurant scenes? Details drop throughout the week.

Sligo says:

Oct 8, 2007 at 3:23 pm

I would not define 20901 as East Silver Spring. The post office is in Four Corners.

Jennifer Deseo says:

Oct 8, 2007 at 4:35 pm

Hmmm … I googled El Golfo, and it came up with a 20901 zip code. Granted, it’s in Long Branch, but I figured parts of East Silver Spring were covered by the same zip.

Are there any 20901 residents who can chime in on this?

Pennster says:

Oct 8, 2007 at 6:03 pm

Though I’m sure the survey results will be interesting, Census = survey of the population as a whole; Penguin = non-random and biased survey of a sample of whoever wanted to take it. Let’s not skew the facts in our favor; leave that for portions of the news-media (coughcoughfoxnewscoughcough).

Oct 8, 2007 at 6:32 pm

http://maps.huge.info/zip.htm

Woodsider says:

Oct 8, 2007 at 8:04 pm

Yep…there’s nary a street in East Silver Spring that is in the 20901 Zip code. For all you map lovers out there, 20901 is *generally* bounded on the southewest by Sligo Creek and the Northeast by the Northwest Branch. Of course, you already knew that being the map lovers you are.

All others definitely should click on Sligo’s URL, posted above.

Oct 8, 2007 at 8:59 pm

Thanks, Sligo and Woodsider. I’ll make corrections to the article.

Pennster wrote:

“Census = survey of the population as a whole; Penguin = non-random and biased survey of a sample of whoever wanted to take it. Let’s not skew the facts in our favor.”

My comparison of The Penguin’s demographics with census data is not meant to equate one with the other. In fact, it’s meant to point out the differences. Penguin readers (at least the ones who responded to the survey) are younger, have fewer minor children, and tend to be more female than what the census reports for Silver Spring as a whole.

This information sets the framework for the data to come throughout the week. While the survey’s findings are interesting, it’s only fair that everyone know from where (or whom) the votes come.