What is the term for a group of people distinguished by a specific characteristic?

The term that captures the idea of a group of people distinguished by a specific characteristic is demographic. Demographics refer to statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it, often highlighting traits such as age, gender, ethnicity, income level, and education. This allows for understanding and analyzing various segments of a population based on those distinct characteristics.

While 'cohort group' can refer to a group of individuals who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined timeframe, it is typically used in a more specific context such as studies or research rather than general classification of people. 'Community' denotes a group of individuals who interact with one another and share common values, but it doesn't focus solely on the characteristic that distinguishes them. Finally, 'population' refers to the total number of inhabitants in a particular area or group but does not specifically imply that these individuals share a distinguishing characteristic. Thus, demographic is the most precise term for the question posed.