yourOUTsource: Your LGBT Resource

Affluent adults who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender tend to be younger and wealthier than affluent adults in general, according to the 35th annual Ipsos Mendelsohn Affluent Survey -- the first survey from the company to include questions about LGBT identity.

The Ipsos Mendelsohn data also contained illuminating (if sometimes unsurprising) findings about political orientation and activity among LGBT affluents.

Overall, LGBT affluents had an average household net worth of $1,134,000, according to Mendelsohn, compared to an average net worth of $980,000 for the affluent population in general (defined as households with annual income of $100,000 or more). Their household income was also higher, at $236,000 versus $189,000 for the affluent population in general. Interestingly, they also tended to be younger, with a median age of 41.5 versus 45.8 overall.

LGBT affluents were also more likely to display political commitment, with 70% saying they have voted in an election for public office, versus 62% for affluents in general. They also tend to lean left, with 59% describing themselves as "liberal," versus just 22% for affluent adults overall -- suggesting that identity politics still outweighs economic considerations traditionally associated with conservative political views.

Twenty-five percent of LGBT affluents said they had participated actively in a civic, social, or political cause, versus 13% for affluent adults overall.

Given their lower median age, LGBT affluents showed a greater affinity for technology, spending an average 39 hours on the Internet per week, versus 33 hours for affluents overall, and 61% said they maintain a social network profile, versus 48% for affluents overall.

Meanwhile, 70% said they own a smartphone, versus 61% for affluents overall, and 22% said they own a tablet computer, versus just 14% for affluents overall.

Source: MediaPost