The demographic universe estimates for the 1997-1998 television season as defined and published by Nielsen Media Research.
| Demographic | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Households | 98,000,000 | |
| Persons 2+ | 254,140,000 | |
| Persons 2-11 | 39,190,000 | 15.4% |
| Persons 6-11 | 23,510,000 | 9.25% |
| Persons 12-17 | 22,070,000 | 8.68% |
| Persons 18+ | 192,880,000 | 75.9% |
| Persons 18-34 | 61,700,000 | 24.3% |
| Persons 18-49 | 123,490,000 | 48.6% |
| Persons 25-54 | 115,950,000 | 45.6% |
| Persons 35+ | 131,180,000 | 51.6% |
| Persons 35-49 | 61,790,000 | 24.3% |
| Persons 35-64 | 99,430,000 | 39.1% |
| Persons 50+ | 69,390,000 | 27.3% |
| Persons 50-54 | 15,570,000 | 6.13% |
| Persons 55+ | 53,820,000 | 21.2% |
| Males 2-11 | 20,040,000 | 7.89% |
| Males 12-17 | 11,250,000 | 4.43% |
| Males 18-34 | 30,770,000 | 12.1% |
| Males 18-49 | 60,990,000 | 24.0% |
| Males 25-54 | 57,020,000 | 22.4% |
| Males 35-64 | 48,290,000 | 19.0% |
| Males 55+ | 23,690,000 | 9.32% |
| Females 2-11 | 19,150,000 | 7.54% |
| Females 12-17 | 10,820,000 | 4.26% |
| Females 18-34 | 30,930,000 | 12.2% |
| Females 18-49 | 62,500,000 | 24.6% |
| Females 25-54 | 58,930,000 | 23.2% |
| Females 35-64 | 51,140,000 | 20.1% |
| Females 55+ | 30,130,000 | 11.9% |