Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Blogiversary 5: Charts, Graphs & A Little Beyonce

As our fifth blogiversary week comes to a close, we must first dole out a giant thank you to everyone for the sweetness (oh the humanity) and the laughs (oh the hilarity) and – well – for taking our little annual poll that we dropped into Monday’s post. This year we had over 30,000 entries. Wowza. Thank goodness Google helped me crunch the numbers (a stark contrast to our first blogiversary poll where I copied and pasted all 199 comment responses into a spreadsheet by hand).

Obviously it wasn’t a scientific study, but we did come out with some fun facts and figures that we thought would be fun to share here courtesy of some fun little graphics we whipped up. I’m hoping if I say “fun” enough you guys will forget this is a post about statistics. Did it work? If not, and you refuse to scroll further, I’ll summarize it for you: most of you are pretty much like us (well, Sherry to be exact): married Americans who own a house and a dog. Although for the first time we’re older than a majority of our readers. So maybe we should throw some quotation marks around the “young” in our name (or check up on the availability of “Thirty-Something House Love”). Anyways, here goes nothing…

Stats Age

Stats Geography 3

Stats Housing

Stats Married

Stats Pregnant

Stats Pets

Stats Teeth

Stats Black Eyed Peas 3

Stats Blogs

We had so much fun reading all of the stats on you guys. Did anything surprise you? Is there anything you’d love to know next year? Oh yeah, and speaking of yesterday’s goal post, this post is under 375 words (not counting the text in the graphics). Small yet satisfying. Like popping a dense little truffle over a heavy ol’ hunk of pound cake. Take that resolution!

Image sources: Beyonce, Ultrasound, Black Eyed Peas, Tina Fey, J.K. Rowling, Martha Stewart and Candice Olson.

Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job. 

Comments

  1. Reuben says

    Maybe a YHL dating service could help up the number of male readers. If roughly 20% of your readers are single ladies, but less than 2% of your readers are single males, a little promise of courtship could definitely up the male readership. If some dude could read about your recent project, then browse a catalog of single ladies who want to do projects, maybe it could work out. Maybe instead of typical dating site criteria like interests, religion, appearance, etc, everyone has to submit a photo catalog of their most recent projects, and potential suitors can pick blind dates based only on seeing the projects they’ve completed. Do it. it would be awesome.

    Reply

  4. Katie says

    Very surprised to be in the majority!! Married lady homeowner in her 20’s with 2 dogs, holla!! I love your blog, keep up the fabulous work.

    Reply

  5. Tiffany says

    As a fellow math nerd, I would have love to seen a growth chart showing the insane exponential growth ya’ll have experienced over the last 5 years.

    Also, you should totally ask at least some of the same questions year after year to add a whole other dimension of nerdiness by showing the change (or lack thereof) in demographics of your readers.

    Reply

  6. Jennifer says

    In the 1% over here! I’m seventeen, and I love love love your blog! My little sister (who’s fourteen) and I are hooked, haha. Every day I come home and we ask each other “Did you see what YHL did today? It looks so good! Did you read the Life post? Ahh isn’t Clara so cute!” etc.. Haha. Btw, if you ever need a free babysitter I swear she’d make my mom drive her up there all the way from SC. Clara is her absolute favorite. :) I’ve also gotten a few of my friends reading too.. Keep up the awesome! :)

    Reply

  7. Stephanie says

    I love the pretty statistics posts. They go hand-in-hand with my super dorky love of excel. Finance major FTW!

    I feel so average after reading this post. I’m a 20-something, female, homeowner, who lives in the USA and I totally think that tonight’s gonna be a good night. Tonight’s gonna be a good good night. (I am not however preggers which is good since I also don’t have a ring on it. Or a boyfriend for that matter. So to continue the beyonce/singing trend…)

    All the single ladies, all the single ladies. Put your hands up. Whoa oh oh ohhh ohh.

    I’m hyper. I’ll stop now. :)

    Reply

  9. Leigh Anne says

    As one of the pregnant ladies who reads your blog, I have been using your baby gear posts to figure out what to register for. And I realized I’ve been a devout reader since Clara’s birth and like you all, have recently shifted from the 20s category to the 30s! Love your blog, love you guys, and really really hope to meet you on your book tour!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      I’m another one of the pregnant ladies on here, and I’ve been loving the baby gear/cloth diaper posts as well! Very helpful to get opinions from folks I “know” (especially since my friends and family don’t seem to have many opinions on the topic, lol!).

  10. Gero says

    I’m one of those male blog-stalkers who didn’t take the survey, I missed it :P

    My girlfriend introduced me to you and now we both love you guys :D

    Keep up the amazing work!

    Cheers from Uruguay~

    Reply

  11. NancyY says

    oooh, ahhh. Pretty. pretty. smart. smart. graphics.
    Superb integration of text to graphics. I’m working on a survey report – much less interesting stuff since I don’t think I can work Beyonce into mine – but I might steal your geography approach! Edward Tufte would be so proud – ok, enough geeking out.

    Reply

  12. Laura says

    John – I’m an outcomes analyst at a hospital and have to report stats all the time. How did you come up with your graphics? Did you develop them yourself or use a program? I’m always looking for more interesting ways to present numbers! :)

    Reply

  14. Bethany says

    Loved loved loved the infographics.
    You sure do know how to make statistics fun!
    Where were you my senior year of high school?

    Reply

  15. Lise-Lotte Just says

    Hi
    For me reading your blog is up there neck to neck to wacthing “Friends”. It´s a cool way to understand you young americans. I am in my forthies and from Europe. I have tryed to give it up, but had to come back to see what you were up to. Happy 5!
    Lise-Lotte

    Reply

  17. Briel K. says

    I love the graphics you guys made! So cute.

    I fall in the American, female, 30-something, rent, single, cat owner category. :)

    Reply

  18. ~abi~ says

    so, what i’m getting is: you guys have a bunch of married, pregnant teens reading your blog?? ;) haha, just kidding! but i was surprised by how many teens read it, that’s so cool!

    Reply

  19. Gabby says

    So, Beyonce, Ultrasound, Black Eyed Peas, Tina Fey, J.K. Rowling, Martha Stewart and Candice Olson all get image credits.

    But what about Burger???? That’s his silhouette, right?

    Love you guys and congrats on your 5th blogiversary!

    Reply

  20. Nicole says

    I just clicked on the comments to say the graphics are amazing in this post!! I see that other people have already said that though, but I thought I’d give some love anyway. Great job and happy anniversary!!

    Reply

  21. Christine says

    I’m in my 40’s, too – I think the survey is skewed (haha!) because we 40+ year olds forgot to take the survey (the forgetting – it comes with age. You’ll see :-)

    Heck, I’m barely a DIY’er and I still love your blog. But, I’m getting better. I have a can of ORB sitting right here on my desk staring at me!

    Christine

    Reply

  23. Emily F says

    Your short posts are just as entertaining and interesting as the long ones… And you probably do get tired of all the writing, editing, fixing pics for the long posts…. but I’m a fan of you guys being chatty… that way I get to “hang out” with you longer! :) Happy 5 years YHL!!!

    Reply

  27. amyks says

    Just have to say Wow to the whole thing! 30,000 people took the time answer the survey?! That is a lot of people!!! I am in the 40 something group, but have considered myself “29” for the last couple of years, so I am either in the majority(in my mind, at least), or a “hip and cool soccer mom”, and yes, I have 3 kids and they all play soccer, but I don’t live in the ‘burbs. :) Keep up the fun!

    Reply

  29. Carolyn says

    For next year I would love to know how ppl found your blog! A friend of mine told me about you guys and I fell in love. I’m curious to know if it’s word of mouth or they saw you in a magazine, tv, etc. =)

    Reply

  30. Elizabeth says

    I am one of the 6% (who live in Canada). Yay!

    By the way, very pretty statistics. I actually took an “Intro to Research” class last year in school, and we talked about stats. There is this European guy who makes stats fun. They’re always funner if you dress them up!

    Reply

  31. Maggie Rose says

    Just a heads up that some of the images appear broken (but when I refresh, different ones will be broken and others will be fine again, so I think I’ve seen everything over several refreshes). I’m in Google Chrome on a Mac… I suppose it could just be me, but I haven’t had this problem on your site before!

    To solve the “my hubby reads over my shoulder” issue, maybe add a gender option that is “both me and my hubs/wife read”? Catch some of those non-survey taking guys ;)

    Reply

  33. Sherry in BC says

    I am in the 3% in Canada with something stuck in my teeth……working on a reno. Hmmm. Love your blog, can’t wait for the book. You give me ideas and inspiration and look forward to your next year of fun, frivolity and fix ups.

    Reply

  34. laura says

    Love you guys! Just want to say that my husband & I recently bought a house and we cannot wait to start renovating and DIYing the heck out of it. You inspire us. Also, I know my husband is a closet reader :)

    Reply

  35. Elena Leos says

    I’m part of the 1%, I’m form Mexico!!!! :) and I loveeeeee your Blog!!!! I read it everyday!!! Congrats on your 5th Blogiversary!!!!! Yeeeeiiii the best is yet to come!!!!

    Reply

  36. Deborah says

    I am a 63 year old who not only enjoys your blog but has shared it with others. I find your site to be fun and intelligent.I have always been a decorator at heart and you blog takes me back to the days when paint became my best friend (still is)and to the year we had $1.00(really) to decorate a Christmas tree (it was lovely). I learned a long time ago that lots of $$$ does not necessarily = a beautiful home. It needs soul, sentiment, and something black in every room. I continue to use many inexpensive ideas in our home because they work so well and make me smile.

    So CONGRATULATIONS on the fruits of your hard work!!!

    Yikes! We have 44 people coming to our home for a party this evening so better go!!

    Reply

  37. Meredith Jones says

    lovin the number crunching stats that are happening here! I looove them! well, i love reading them… actually crunching (whether numbers or the stomach workout type) just doesn’t happen for me! Lovin the colors and fun pictures too, esp. Beyonce!
    I’m part of that giant majority of 20 somethings… I found your blog right when we had started househunting, and seriously… my fave part of my day at work is reading your posts! I’ve gotten SO MANY ideas for our house from you guys, and when I’m looking for an idea or needing inspiration, the first palce I go is your projects page.
    thanks for all the work y’all do, keep up the amazing work you guys :)

    Reply

  39. Valentina says

    So how about toddler fans of Clara and four-legged followers of Burger, do they count? When my 21-month-old climbs onto my lap, points at Clara on the screen and shouts: “baby!” or when my sleepy cat lazily lifts his head of the keyboard and opens one eye at Burger while pretending not to care, what do you call it? Very-very young and furry house love? Finger-pointing and paw-licking house love?!

    Reply

  40. Stacie says

    Its crazy to think about a yr ago i just started reading your blog…wow a yr has gone by fast! I love your blog! Keep it up i get very inspired by all your hard work to making your house a home! It makes me wanna start a blog when me and my fiance by our first home!

    Reply

  41. Todd Kelly says

    I’m a 40 year old married man, not ranking very high in two of your key demos. And I don’t care, because I love your blog! You guys are terrific, and have given me SO many great ideas for fixing up my older house. My basement project is next, and I found great information here. Thanks for all you do!

    Reply

  42. Karen F says

    just wanted to comment on the awesome graphic design of this post – nice job!

    I’m in the segment of people that feels old – I was looking at the pie chart at the big slice of people in their 30’s, and for a second was thinking I was part of that slice, then I remembered I’m 40 *womp womp*

    Reply

  44. Lisa says

    I missed the survey and I am thinking a bunch of other 50 somethings must have also. And no, Julie, us 50 somethings do not know everything about decorating. What a fun survey!!!

    Reply

  45. Erik says

    Well I’m a male, and I DID take the survey! Glad to see there are 599 other guys out there that did the same!
    My Wife & I both read your blog, although admittedly I probally read it more that her. I have a degree in Interior Design, so anything involving Floor Plans and home remodels has always peeked my interest.
    BTW, we are both 25, and have a dog, no kids…yet.

    Reply

  46. Plein Jane says

    I somehow missed taking the poll, but I’m among the measly 3 percent of 50-somethings. I’m 56, and here’s why I’m telling you that un-sexy fact: You guys always remind me that I’m not past the age of experimentation — that a house is never “done” and can still be a source of fun, inspiration and reinvention.

    I can’t speak for the others in their 50s (holla!), but YHL for me is a kick in the decorating shins — one that I need pretty often. Thanks and congratulations!

    Reply

  47. Tammie says

    I might be the only one but I love reading your long posts. The longer the post the better. I think I’ve read so many of your posts that without looking at the byline I can tell if It’s a John post or a Sherry post. On a side note, I was reading an old forum the other night and I noticed your response to their criticism . I have to say you guys are a class act and I love you guys even more! Haters are gonna hate, what can you do but keep calm and blog on.

    Reply

  50. valerie shea says

    Woo hoo. I really enjoyed this stats post! (:
    My boyfriend works at The Tile Shop here in Richmond, and recognized yall when you occasionally stop in to shop, so I always feel the need to fill him in on all the latest renovations (tile and non-tile included) so he might as well be included in one of the male-lurkers! Vernon has left the tile shop-hopefully yall will still come in and get some great tile and great prices!
    Hats off to the two of yall for 5 years strong! <3 everything on this site.

    Reply

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