I think your average age for HN is off by 5-6 years. Atleast that is my impression from the comment quality and the recent poll:

  Age     Votes
  -------------
  0-10       65
  11-15      42
  16-20     552
  21-25    2030
  26-30    2400
  31-35    1532
  36-40     735
  41-45     359
  46-50     148
  51-55      84
  56-60      44
  61+        52

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6058598

California for 16 years - I've been in a lot of houses, old and new, but I've never seen an electric kettle. Lots of stove top kettles though, some with whistles, some without. Also, In Canada (British Columbia) I've seen a few in hotel rooms, but never seen them in houses. Stove Top kettles are very popular there though, particularly with older homes.

Grew up in North Carolina, and I've never seen an electric kettle in anyone's home, ever. The only place I've seen one (besides Target, Wal-mart, etc.) is in the break-room of the building where our local hackerspace is. And sadly, it broke recently, so now we need a new one!

Having been exposed to them now, and even more so after reading this article, I do plan to buy myself an electric kettle though.

FWIW, everyone I know has always heated water in a saucepan or kettle on the stovetop.

Have you been to North America? This is not even remotely true in any sense.

Most homes I know of in Florida don't have electric kettles. I have one, use it with my ap. many homes have stove top kettles here.

I grew up there, maybe that explains my kettle ignorance.

could it be since its a warmer climate, hot drinks aren't consumed at home as much? or coffee is prepared differently down here (espresso?)

I'm originally from Missouri (wife as well), Mom's from Wisconson, Dad's from Boston, currently living in the Seattle area. Nope, never even saw one until I was in my low to mid 30s. We used stove top kettles.

However, dorm rooms often do allow them (heats up water for ramen), but it isn't universal, and I'm imagining most kids are like "WTF is this," looks it up and learns about it for the firs time.

Not sure why you got so heavily downvoted for that :| Upvoted for balance.