Guess who believes in Santa?
About 6 million of the Empire State’s nearly 20 million residents — a whopping 30 percent of the population — told pollsters they “believe” in Santa.
Among old Saint Nick’s greatest hometown fans, fondly described as Santa “believers,” are Catholics, older New Yorkers and women, according to a statewide survey of residents by the Siena Research Institute.
On the political front, Republicans are among Santa’s strongest believers.
The results point to a possible strange demographic shift: A large share of New York’s residents 18 and under — about 30 percent of the state’s population — doesn’t believe in Santa.
“This [survey] was done to open the door to Santa Claus as the traditions, spirit, meaning and/or excitement of the holiday,” Dr. Don Levy, SRI’s director, told On the Money. “Still, many people, of course, responded literally.”
The poll will undoubtedly be watched by New York’s retail industry and merchants that ring up a major share of their sales during the holiday season.