In a recent survey conducted among 1,581 U.S. users of CivicScience’s digital platforms, coffee emerged as the most favored caffeinated beverage, with 42% of respondents choosing it over other options. This preference was followed by soda at 23%, tea at 15%, and energy drinks at 8%. Notably, 12% of participants reported abstaining from caffeine altogether.
The survey, which ran from May 29 to June 2, 2025, revealed intriguing demographic distinctions among beverage preferences. Coffee drinkers, for instance, are evenly split between genders, while energy drink consumers skew predominantly male at 58%. Tea and soda drinkers, on the other hand, are more likely to be female.
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Age also plays a significant role in beverage choice. Older age groups, particularly those aged 55 and above, show a strong preference for coffee. In contrast, younger individuals, especially those aged 18 to 24, lean towards energy drinks. This age-related trend highlights a generational divide in caffeine consumption habits.
Education level further differentiates coffee drinkers from other groups. Among coffee enthusiasts, 36% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, suggesting a correlation between higher education and coffee consumption. Conversely, soda drinkers tend to have lower household incomes, with 33% earning less than $30,000 annually, indicating a potential link between income and beverage choice.
Geographic location also influences preferences. Suburban residents are more inclined to choose coffee, while soda drinkers are evenly distributed across urban, suburban, and rural areas. This distribution suggests that lifestyle and environment may impact beverage selection.
Parental status emerges as another factor in caffeine consumption. Parents are more likely to prefer energy drinks, while those without children or grandchildren tend to avoid caffeine. This finding may reflect the demands of parenting and the need for quick energy boosts.
Overall, the survey provides a comprehensive snapshot of caffeinated beverage preferences across various demographics. Coffee’s popularity among older, educated individuals contrasts with the youthful, male-dominated preference for energy drinks. These insights offer a nuanced understanding of how age, gender, education, income, and lifestyle influence caffeine choices.
As the data suggests, caffeine consumption is not merely a matter of taste but is intricately linked to demographic factors, painting a complex picture of American beverage preferences.
This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.