Some birthday statistics

[efmesch]

On the forums' home page there's a heading of Forum Stats and  the Upcoming Calendar.  The calendar includes upcoming birthdays.

First of all, Happy birthday (collectively) to all those on the list.

Secondly, I thought it might be interesting to glean a few additional forum statistic from the ages of those who appear on the list.  I realize that not everyone is there and that these stats can be way off the true mark, but just for the fun of it.....So....
The average age of the listed beeks is 52.13. 
The median age is 49.
The youngest beek (Zweefer) is 35.
The oldest (fatbeeman) is 73.
The range of ages is 38.

So what can we learn from this?  Let's hear what you think about it.

[iddee]

You're right. Everyone is not there. Bizzybee is 21 or 22. Jack is well over 73. I won't say how much.  JPBEEGETTER is 79.   Some like their privacy so much that, even tho it is mandatory to give location before you can join the forum, some go into their profile and delete it after they sign up. It would be nice to know everyone's age and location, but some will never give out that info.

[kebee]

 Well I know how old Jack is, for I am only a little over a month older than he is and I am 76, glad to know some one older than I on here.

Ken

[efmesch]

I wasn't trying to pry into individual's personal and unpublished statistics.  I was thinking more along the line of what these statistics imply about beekeeping as a hobby (or profession).  For example: Are beeks, on the whole, an "aged" or "aging' population?  Are the "younguns" relatively uninstrested in this activity (seeing as there are relatively so few)?  Do people get involved with bees at an "advanced" age, or do they start up with bees when they are young?

[brooksbeefarm]

One thing that makes a man more superior over a woman is that we don't mind telling our TRUE age or weight when ask. I'm 5 yrs. older than one brother,8yrs older than the next, and 15yrs older than the last one.I'm also smarter,in better health, and of course better looking than they are. . One thing that kind of bothers me though, i've heard my wife and a few others say,If they ever found you murdered  they would never find out who done it, because everyone i know would want to take credit for it There seems to be more young people interested in beekeeping? We have over 200 club members and have several signed up for our coming bee school. We have put a limit on new students (75) because of our meeting building (not enough room) most are from 25yrs. old to 55yrs. old, for some reason?I have seen, if you look old and have a dazed look on your face, new beekeepers think you know everything about bees, that's why Perry, iddee, G3, lazy, rb, jen, ect. ect. get ask alot of questions. Jack

[Perry]

I'm 56, and I am "young" compared to a lot of the keeps here (excepting hobbyist's). I really know of only 1 young keep who has approached beekeeping full bore full throttle and his passion is every bit as strong if not stronger than mine. His growth is breathtaking as he has in a little over 2 years grown to around 200 hives (from 0), has a flat deck and a new Kubota tractor, etc. There is lttle fear in him and I hope he is successful as this is exactly what our "industry" needs.
I see very little enthusiasm from young folks in the way of making a living from this.

[thewhiterhino]

I started beekeeping in 1978 in Arkansas at the age of 34 and in 1981 I sold every thing and moved to Colorado.
Earlier this summer one of my customers told me about bees in a column of her patio and that she couldn't find anyone that would deal with them. In Arkansas I did trapouts and gathered swarms for three years which I enjoyed greatly.
I decided to re-enter the beekeeping world and bought some equipment in early Oct this year and found a swarm listed on Craigslist on Oct 10th which got me started. I live in a residential area so will be limited as to how many hives I can have.
I turned 70 my last birthday.
Lots more information available now than in the late 70's.
Having a ball.
Ross

[Ray4852]

 I'm 61, I see more older beekeepers than younger ones today in my area. The younger people have different hobbies. I started out at 55 with my bees. I wish I started out when I was in my 30s. Fishing dominated my life back when I was younger. Still fish today but not as bad. I think we have a middle age group here. Probably 35 to 55 with the rest in their 60s and 70s.

[efmesch]

 .....I'm also smarter,in better health, and of course better looking than they are.....
Hey Jack, you forgot to tell us about  how modest you are. 

[Jen]

Jack- "One thing that makes a man more superior over a woman is that we don't mind telling our TRUE age or weight when ask. I'm 5 yrs. older than one brother,8yrs older than the next, and 15yrs older than the last one.I'm also smarter,in better health, and of course better looking than they are. . One thing that kind of bothers me though, i've heard my wife and a few others say,If they ever found you murdered  they would never find out who done it, because everyone i know would want to take credit for it There seems to be more young people interested in beekeeping? We have over 200 club members and have several signed up for our coming bee school. We have put a limit on new students (75) because of our meeting building (not enough room) most are from 25yrs. old to 55yrs. old, for some reason?I have seen, if you look old and have a dazed look on your face, new beekeepers think you know everything about bees, that's why Perry, iddee, G3, lazy, rb, jen, ect. ect. get ask alot of questions. Jack
 
   I could tear this apart! But I won't because I really like you Jack! If I had the opportunity to meet you in person we would bring the house down   

    Particularly like the last sentence, that you included me in with the real pros. I certainly don't feel that way. But I've come a looong way in just 10 months.

     As far as how good looking you are? I think you look like a toad and need a princess to come along and give you a big smackeroo. See? then you would be a prince maybe you would put on an avatar.... Ahahahahhaha Ribit