Social Media Insights: Demographic Analysis and User Statistics on Instagram
In the digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, and Instagram is no exception. Here's a snapshot of Instagram usage demographics and trends in the United States and globally.
According to recent statistics, the United States boasts the second-largest Instagram audience worldwide, with over 179.9 million users. Among these, the age group with the highest usage is individuals aged 18-24, making up 76% of the user base, followed closely by 57% of 25-30 year-olds. Interestingly, the 18-29 age group also accounts for the majority of Instagram users globally.
When it comes to income levels, 40% of people earning less than $30,000 use Instagram, while 57% of those earning between $30,000 and $69,999 are active users. The highest usage is observed among individuals earning between $70,000 and $99,999 (54%) and those earning more than $100,000 (58%).
Education level also plays a role in Instagram usage. Among those educated at high school or less, 41% use Instagram, while 51% of college-educated users and 57% of those with more than a college education are active on the platform.
Location-wise, urban areas have the highest Instagram usage, with 51% of the population using the app. This is followed by suburban areas (54%) and rural areas (39%).
In terms of gender, globally, 46.3% of Instagram users aged 18+ are female, and another 52.5% are male. In the US, the gender distribution is slightly skewed, with 55.4% of users being female and 44.6% being male.
As for the time spent on Instagram, the average is 33.1 minutes per day among users ages 18+ in the US, and 32.4 minutes per day on Android devices worldwide.
When it comes to optimal posting times, the best time to post on Instagram is between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Posting on Tuesdays at 10:00 am and Thursdays between 09:00 am to 11:00 am can considerably alter your follower's engagement levels.
For those dealing with time zone differences, Instagram's insights tool can be a simple solution.
Lastly, it's worth noting that according to a study by Mention, the vast majority of Instagram users have less than 10,000 followers. As of August 2025, Instagram has over 507 million followers worldwide, and about 47.2 million monthly active users in Germany.
In conclusion, Instagram is a widely used social media platform across various demographics, with the US having one of the largest user bases. Understanding these demographics and trends can help individuals and businesses tailor their content to maximise engagement.