Everyone hearts iTunes

Internet research giant Nielsen//NetRatings has released the results of a study of iTunes users, and it seems we're all a bunch of Volkswagen-driving, cider-swilling hipsters. (Houstonist neither drives a Volkswagen nor regularly drinks cider, but who are we to argue with statistics?)

The survey found iTunes users are 2.2 times more likely than typical Internet users to own Volkswagens and about 2.3 times more likely to drink hard cider (the preferred beverage of iTuners). Audi and Subaru come in second and third on the list of favorite cars, and imported beer and domestic beer take the No. 2 and 3 spots on the drinks list. Seems iTunes users are also more likely than the average person to read Wired and watch the Cartoon Network. Who knew?

What's really interesting is how iTunes use has grown — to 20.7 million users in December 2005, up from 6.1 million in December 2004 (that's 241 percent growth). We wonder if that's because radio continues to suck more and more or because we just can't get enough of our musical guilty pleasures — or maybe both. After all, it's hard to find Pat Benatar on the airwaves these days.