The # of licensed Ham Radio operators has actually increased from a few years ago when it was in decline. One of the reasons the FCC dropped the Morse Code requirement was to encourage younger people who had no interest in learning the code to participate. Yes, there are a lot of old timers who are becoming "silent keys" in the jargon of the hobby, but many new, younger people are getting licensed.
Unlike the internet that requires a complex infrastructure of servers and fiber optic networks, which are vulnerable to interruptions, particularly in times of crises, Amateur Radio is dependent only on the equipment at each end of the conversation, and the skill and knowledge of the operator. While the equipment has advanced, it's still much the same challenge it was in the early days of radio, starting in the 1920's. In times of emergencies and disruptions, Hams continue to provide a valuable communications link when other systems we take for granted have gone down. When major disasters strike, authorities often close public access to the cellular networks so they not jammed by everyone attempting to call their loved ones, and reserve their use for emergency workers.
Additionally, there are many different niches to the hobby that attract different types: contesting, DX (long distance), Satellite bounce, emergency networks, 2 meter repeater assisted local networks, internet linked repeaters that allow small hand held radios to have worldwide reach, and digital transmissions. Different radio bands have different propagation characteristics and draw many different types of operators. The 160 meter band (just above the old commercial AM Radio band so popular last century, is the home for old timers who gather nightly to "rag chew". The 20 meter band bounces signals off the ionosphere for long range, other side of the world contacts. Antennas are extremely important part of making it work, and many Hams are constantly considering how to build or put up a better one.
So, yes. It is much like High End audio and there is crossover, and I suspect there are more than a few Hams among the What's Best membership.