AusSurvivalist - Who Are Survivalists?


HOME \| FORUM \| SITEMAP

THIS SECTION

Survey Results

Survey Commentary

MAIN MENU

Click here to return to the main menu

Who are Survivalists?

The short answer is that they can be anybody. Set out below is the results from a survey we carried out in 2001. These clearly show that the media stereotypes to not hold true for the vast majority of survivalists.

Results of the 2001 Survivalist survey

There were a total of 152 responses to the survey conducted in late 2001. 21 of these were found to be duplicates and were deleted from the analysis.

Hindsight suggests some of the questions could have been better worded and the results may be biased towards internet users, however, as the intention was in part to determine who you may meet online in newsgroups or who visits websites such as this one the results are still valid.

The results to the survey questions are detailed below:

1) How old are you?

Under 25	7	5%
25 - 35	42	32%
35 -65	82	63%
	131

2) Are you male of female?

Male	113	86%
Female	18	14%
	131

3) What is your marital status?

Defacto	4	3%
Married - children over 6	40	31%
Married - children under 6	22	17%
Married - no children	17	13%
Separated / Divorced	15	11%
Single	32	24%
Widowed	1	1%
	131

4) What is your occupation?

Professional	78	60%
Other	22	17%
Tradesman	17	13%
Student	6	5%
Home Duties	5	4%
Farmer	2	2%
Craftsman	1	1%
	131

5) What is your total pre-tax family income?

Under 25000	21	16%
25000 - 50000	38	29%
50000 - 75000	31	24%
75000 - 100000	24	18%
100000 +	17	13%
	131

6) What was your highest level of education?

University Degree	50	38%
High School	33	25%
Trade/Craftsman Qual	17	13%
Other	14	11%
Post Grad	11	8%
Doctorate	6	5%
	131

7) What is your ethnic background?

Black	1	1%
Indian	1	1%
Latino	1	1%
Native American	7	5%
White	121	92%
	131

8) Your views on religion are?

Not Very Religious	59	45%
Moderate	40	31%
Strong	32	24%
	131

9) Which term most accurately describes your approach to survival?

Combination	105	80%
High Tech	6	5%
Low Impact	12	9%
Paramilitary	4	3%
Primitive	4	3%
	131

See the article by Meg Raven here for an explanation of the categories.

10) From where do you see the most likely threats to humanity coming from?

This question allowed multiple selections to most common was the threat of government and/or economic collapse. The least common was the threat of the apocalypse or invasions from outer space etc.

11) How long have you been a survivalist?

Less than 1 year	11	8%
1 to 3 years	29	22%
3 to 6 years	17	13%
6 years or more	74	56%
	131

12) How many months food do you really have stored?

Less than 1 month	29	22%
1 to 3 months	47	36%
3 to 6 months	26	20%
More than 6 months	29	22%
	131

13) How much do you spend per year on survival supplies/equipment?

Less than $1,000	52	40%
$1000 to $2,500	58	44%
$2,500 to $5,000	13	10%
More than $5,000	8	6%
	131

14) How was this money spent?

This question also allowed multiple selections. Responses were evenly spread across weapons & ammunition, emergency lighting/cooking, First Aid, Books, Water Storage & Purification, Multitools/knives, Food Storage Supplies, Food and Food Production and Communication.

The least amount of money was spent on NBC shelters and protection.

15) Do you have any military training?

Special Forces	4	3%
Active Service	5	4%
Reservist	5	4%
Ex Military	34	26%
None	83	63%
	131

16) How long before you believe society will collapse for whatever reason?

I don't think it will happen any time soon	38	29%
It is already happening	47	36%
Within the next decade	20	15%
Within the next five years	17	13%
Within the next twenty-years	9	7%
	131

For commentary on these results click here.

2008 TEN YEARS OF AUSSURVIVALIST

Home | Site Map