Radio listeners number in the U.S. in 2018, by demographic group

As of the first quarter of 2018, there were a total of around 66.8 million weekly radio listeners in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 34. This age bracket roughly constitutes the Millennial generation, a group which is crucial to the future success of the industry. When considering the larger 18-49 demographic, the study found a total of nearly 124 million weekly radio listeners in the country.

Radio industry

Radio has been an important part of the news and entertainment industries in the U.S. since the Radio Act of 1912 was passed over a century ago. The total number of commercial radio stations grew from around 960 in 1943 to nearly ten thousand in 1993 but experienced much slower development throughout much of the 90s and 2000s. The average American adult spends over 800 minutes listening to the radio per week, which amounts to nearly two hours per day.

Online radio

The internet has brought increased technology to the radio industry whilst retaining the standard format that people know and enjoy. By streaming radio over the internet, stations can reach listeners far beyond their local area. As of 2019, online radio reached over 90 percent of young people in the United States each month.