For many Americans, dessert is a regular indulgence after dinner, but for others, it’s a rare treat. A new CivicScience survey shows that dessert eating is split evenly down the middle: 50% of U.S. adults say they eat dessert at least once a week, while the other 50% indulge less often.
Among Gen Z adults aged 18–29, dessert is far more common—74% say they eat it weekly, compared to just 36% of adults aged 65 and older. Women are more likely than men to enjoy dessert weekly, as are middle-income households earning $50K-$100K annually. Regionally, Southerners are the most likely to eat dessert weekly, while those in the West are least likely.
But demographics aren’t the only thing setting weekly dessert eaters apart:
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Mindfulness: They’re six times more likely to use mindfulness and meditation apps like Headspace and Calm.
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Public Transportation: They’re nearly eight times more likely to take public transportation weekly.
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Online Reviews: Two-thirds write online reviews at least once a month, compared to just 22% of those who don’t eat dessert weekly.
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Events: Nearly half (49%) attend film or music festivals, compared to only 10% of non–weekly dessert eaters.
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Libraries: Almost a quarter visit a local library weekly, compared to 14% of those who eat dessert less often.
Weekly dessert eaters stand out for more than their sweet tooth. They’re more active, engaged, and digitally expressive—from attending festivals to sharing reviews to practicing mindfulness. For them, dessert isn’t just a treat—it’s part of a fuller, more connected lifestyle.
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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.