Over time, the age demographic has increased within the community, but do we have a true view of the current age demographic? This post aims to examine how accurate assumptions regarding age demographics through a census can be.
Designed by Mare
Introduction
Club Penguin armies have always had their finger on the pulse by sending out censuses to determine the current age demographic of the community. Additionally, censuses have allowed us to see how people were recruited, which army was their first and even where they are from. However, with only a small portion of the community filling out these forms, do we truly get an accurate view of the demographic?
In the 2025 Club Penguin Armies Census Results, Jojo Teri revealed the results of the latest census. Alongside this, he also mentioned past censuses, linking each one. He stated they go back as far as 2011. It is noted that there was a census before then, but little is known about it because it was lost in history. A couple of armies conducted that census; therefore, only a small part of the community was represented.
2011 Census
One of the points I aimed to make in this editorial was that not everyone has access to or will fill in the census. In 2011, this was no different. In fact, B2 stated that the 2011 census mostly represents veteran troops or High Command. He also stated that it only represents a small portion of those who viewed Club Penguin Army Central. With that in mind, they had to be aware that the census is only a sample rather than an accurate view of the community. Despite approximately 176 people participating in the census (according to year-joined answers), there were no questions about age. Therefore, it is hard to grasp what the age demographic was back in 2011.
A majority of people who filled out the census joined the community between 2008 and 2010. 57 people stated they joined in 2010. In comparison, only 27 people stated they joined between 2005 and 2007. Even though it was believed veteran troops filled out the form, there was a lot of new blood filling out the census. It is hard to judge how old anyone was, but we can only assume most people were young.
2014 Census
In 2014, armies were required to complete the 2014 census. However, they also included an optional form for members to fill out, which included personal data. The questions in the optional form included age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, and political stance. 393 people filled out the required form, while 245 filled out the optional form. Understandably, the optional form did not represent the entire community. There were over 100 people who chose not to fill out the optional form. This shows that only a portion of the community was represented. Despite this, a huge number of people filled out the form, which begs the question: how many people were involved in CPA during 2014?
Census Results Analysis
One of the things that caught my eye was that 13% of form-fillers claimed to have joined in 2006-2007. Approximately, this would be 51 people. However, even in 2011, 25 people stated they joined during that time period. The above results could be due to an increased coverage. Yet, back in 2014, there were also reports of Legends being impersonated. Therefore, it is safe to assume a lot of people lied about when they joined. Back in the old days, a lot of people lied about their age. Many people did not want to be seen as a kid. Instead, they pretended they were older.
Out of the 245 people who filled in the form, approximately 19-20 people (5%) claimed to be 18+. The second biggest percentage of people (18% or 70-71 people) stated they were 16, while 27% (106 people) stated they were 14. Ultimately, even in 2014, approximately 110 people were 16+. Considering that Club Penguin was still alive and kicking with armies forming regularly, the age demographic was high. If these people were still around today, they would be 28+.
CPAC 2014 Census
Despite the high demographics, this was widely accepted, and people continued their daily lives. It affected no one. Everyone was still relatively young. At the time, anyone who was 16 seemed old in comparison to the younger generation, even those just two years younger. Although it could be assumed that most of these people lied about being older to impress others. Deception aside, 12% (47-48 people) claimed to be 11 or younger. Even though this would not be allowed in today’s era, with Discord taking measures to prevent this, it showcased that new blood was still pumping into the community and was being exposed to the wider community (CPAC).
2025: The Discord Era
Skipping ahead to the latest census, the 2025 census saw 310 people respond to the main questions. However, between 245 and 290 people responded to the optional questions. Before we look into this, I want to look at the response numbers. At the time of writing, there are around 1130 members in Club Penguin Armies’ Discord server. While this does not mean there are over a thousand active members, it shows that not even half responded to the census.
Realistically speaking, the CPA server itself is mostly filled with Legends, Veterans, Leaders, and HCOM. I would say a small portion of this server is actually troops from each army. Ultimately, armies do not advertise CPA’s server link, and while they are encouraged to share the census, it is not forced. Each Discord server has thousands of members, especially the major armies, while the small/medium armies may have hundreds. Yet, despite this, only a small portion of the community is represented in the census. To give you a more recent example. In August 2025, in the Legends Cup XV Semi-Final between Water Vikings and Rebel Penguin Federation, both armies achieved 80+ maxes. RPF achieved 80, while the Vikings achieved 88.
Usually, each army has hundreds of people ‘interested’ in joining their events. Additionally, not everyone can attend certain events at certain times. Yet the armies gathered 168 troops between them, more than half the total respondents to the Census. We do have to bear in mind that Veterans and Legends were involved in this. However, if they play an active part in a tournament, then, arguably, they can be included. After all, they help make the max. With these points in mind, let us look at the responses to the census in 2025.
2025 Census
As time has gone on and the community has evolved, so has the way people exaggerate. While some people are honest about when they began their journey in armies, others try to fabricate the truth. In the past, we have seen people impersonate former members of the community. Meanwhile, others simply state they joined at an early date, but with a lot of history being lost, it is hard to prove or disprove.
Census Results Analysis
Surprisingly, in the 2025 census, over 30% (94-95 people) stated they joined in 2025. Considering that a lot of people claim CPA is ruled by veterans, if we were to calculate the total percentage of people who joined between 2006-2016 (original CPA), we would see that only 10.3% (31-32 people) joined during that period. Therefore, they are the minority.
Furthermore, a majority of people who filled out the census joined between 2020 and 2025. Surprisingly, this accounts for 76%. With that in mind, approximately 235-236 out of 310 people joined during or after 2020. For a community “dictated and run by army veterans”, the response is surprising. Not only is it surprising for that reason, but also because a lot of the troops of armies are not in CPA’s discord. The census was not filled out by everyone and was not shared by everyone. Armies would not make it a requirement. So is the real answer closer to this census than we think?
Theoretically, if this census reached 40% of the community outside of CPA’s Discord, then maybe less than a quarter would have responded. If so, then either there is an abnormally large number of people who joined armies after 2020 or a high percentage of active veterans abstained from voting. However, things become even more confusing when we look into the optional part of the census. Out of 310 people, 265 filled out the optional form (88.3%). Yet, despite a majority of people joining armies after 2020, a whopping 10.9% (28-29 people) are supposedly 26 or older. For a community built for kids, this would be concerning. Although overall, 49.5% (131-132 people) are 20 or older. Considering new blood gets pumped into the community daily, most of which is young, it is hard to believe that the percentage of people older than 20 is that high.
The Age Demographic Conundrum
Ultimately, it is hard to make assumptions based on a census that not even half of the community answered. Additionally, if we look at the results and compare them, it is hard to come to a conclusion regarding the actual age demographic. 142-143 people say they joined Club Penguin between 2006 and 2012. When looking at the other results, this could be seen as inconsistent, as 131-132 people claimed to be 20+. While fewer people filled out the optional form, some years are also excluded, so it evens itself out.
Overall, we cannot judge the validity of the census, but if almost the majority of the community is 20+, can we truly say this community is for children? Additionally, a majority of respondents joined in 2020 or later, meaning we cannot say it is overrun with veterans. If a majority of respondents were veterans, we could compare them to the 2014 Census. But, considering they are not, it would not present a balanced case.
It is easy to make assumptions about the current demographic, but not everything is as simple as it seems. A lot of people coming into the community daily are mostly younger. However, unlike veterans back in the day, they are more aware of the links they click and potential threats. It is likely that most of these troops did not fill in the form or click the suspicious link. But it is also likely that the community is no longer for kids; it is for adults/young adults. On the other hand, the same could be said for veterans of armies – perhaps they did not fill in the census despite participating in armies because they do not feel the need to participate in the wider community or any data collection.
Recruiting Methods (2025 Census)
When the 2014 census took place, CPA was still in its prime, and Club Penguin was still alive. Younger kids were also able to access the community and the game easily. Now, with Discord and private server games, the community is restricted and harder to get into. With Discord TOS being 13+, 19% of the respondents from the 2014 census would not even be able to participate in CPA if Discord was around instead of Xat. Arguably, it would have been a lot more than 19% too, given that a lot of people lied about their age.
With all this in mind, is CPA just evolving into a community for adults? Is the assumption about the community being ruled by veterans incorrect? Will armies continue to evolve and become a community where everyone is welcome? Or is the age gap between newcomers too big to ignore?
Coolguy
OpEd Contributor
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Professional Club Penguin player