What Surveys Say About Generation Z

Kim Parker and Ruth Igielnik share data and information about the newest generation of Americans as it comes of voting age, as produced by Pew Research Center surveys. The key piece of information for the political and historic moment: the new generation of Americans are coming of age in time to hold immense political power in 2020, and beyond.

One-in-ten eligible voters in the 2020 electorate will be part of a new generation of Americans – Generation Z. Born after 1996, most members of this generation are not yet old enough to vote, but as the oldest among them turn 23 this year, roughly 24 million will have the opportunity to cast a ballot in November.

While Generation Z resembles its predecessors, Millennials, in many respects, like diversity, opinions on the president, and familiarity with technology (the "digital native" life), the newcomers also represent a few significant departures from the forebears.