Star Wars Day: Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader Insights

May 4, 2025

Image credit: Agnieszka Stankiewicz on Unsplash

In a galaxy not so far away, a recent survey conducted by CivicScience reveals intriguing insights into the preferences of ‘Star Wars’ fans, just in time for Star Wars Day on May 4th. The survey, which gathered responses from over 50,000 U.S. users, focused on favorite characters from the original 1977 film. Among the standout findings, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader emerged as popular choices, each capturing the admiration of 13% of respondents.

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Luke Skywalker, the iconic hero, resonates differently across various demographics. Men slightly favor him, with 58% of his supporters being male. Age also plays a role, as younger fans aged 18-24 show a higher preference for Luke, accounting for 14% of his supporters. Interestingly, those with some college education are more inclined to choose Luke, representing 25% of his fan base. In terms of income, Luke’s appeal is strongest among those earning less than $30,000 annually, comprising 24% of his admirers.

On the dark side, Darth Vader’s allure is particularly strong among male respondents, who make up 63% of his supporters. His popularity peaks among the 18-24 age group, capturing 18% of their votes. Vader’s fan base is also notable among those with a high school education, representing 31% of his followers. Income-wise, his appeal is slightly higher among those earning between $30,000 and $49,999, making up 19% of his supporters.

Parental status reveals further distinctions. Luke Skywalker finds favor among parents, who constitute 40% of his supporters, while Darth Vader is more popular among those without children, accounting for 41% of his fans. This contrast highlights the differing perspectives and life experiences that influence character preferences.

Urbanicity also plays a role in shaping these preferences. Luke Skywalker is more popular in suburban areas, with 42% of his supporters residing there. In contrast, Darth Vader’s appeal is slightly stronger in urban settings, where 29% of his fans live. These differences suggest that environment and lifestyle may influence how fans connect with these iconic characters.

As fans celebrate Star Wars Day, these survey results offer a fascinating glimpse into the diverse factors that shape character preferences. Whether drawn to the light side or the dark, fans’ choices reflect a complex interplay of demographics and personal experiences. The data underscores the enduring impact of ‘Star Wars’ and its ability to resonate across generations and backgrounds.

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.

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