2021 Outdoor Participation Trends Report Table of Contents
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2021 OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION TRENDS REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Outdoor Participant Diversity The Next A Detailed Methodology Summary Participation Profile Generation Look Snapshot EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2020, 53 percent of Americans ages 6 and over participated in outdoor recreation at least once, the highest participation rate on record. As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged communities and forced a nationwide shutdown, outdoor spaces became places of refuge to safely socialize, improve physical and mental health, connect with family and recover from screen fatigue. Remarkably, 7.1 million more Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2020 than in the year prior. Despite these gains, nearly half of the U.S. population did not share in the proven, positive health outcomes of outdoor physical activity. COVID-19 inspired huge TERMINOLOGY participation growth, as detailed throughout this report. These PARTICIPANT A survey respondent who reported one-year gains, however, did Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside participating in at least one outdoor activity not fundamentally alter the initiative is focused on reversing the in calendar year 2020. Participants often report undertaking multiple activities long-term challenges faced declining trend of outdoor engagement. multiple times throughout the year. by the outdoor industry. To build and strengthen networks that provide children and families with The outdoor industry and its PARTICIPATION RATE repeat and reinforcing experiences in partners are positioned to The proportion of a group that participated the outdoors, Thrive Outside awards in outdoor recreation or in an outdoor champion new ways to engage multiyear, capacity-building grants to activity. For example, if 6 in 10 teenagers outdoor participants and invest diverse communities. This community- bicycled in 2020, their bicycling in making the outdoors led initiative is built with trusted local and participation rate was 60 percent. national partners and is supported by accessible and welcoming to all three years of funding. Together, we’re OUTING A single trip during which an outdoor Americans. working to create a more inclusive and activity was undertaken. accessible outdoor experience for all. 3 POST-COVID CHALLENGES RETAINING COVID PARTICIPANTS FEWER OUTINGS Research from Outdoor Industry Association indicated The average number of annual outings per that about one-quarter of new participants say they participant continued a steady, long-term don’t want to continue their new outdoor activities, a decline, falling from 87 in 2012 to just 71 number that may grow sharply as consumers return to in 2020. pre-pandemic habits. LACK OF DIVERSITY STAGNANT FEMALE PARTICIPATION Nearly three-quarters of outdoor participants in 2020 were Despite significant industry efforts to address White, versus roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population. gender disparities, for the last eight years Participation rates: females have represented just 46 percent of · Declined 7 percent annually among Asians for the outdoor participants, even though 51 percent past three years of Americans were female. · Stagnated for the last three years among Blacks · Grew among Hispanics but their rate remained well below Whites DECLINING INTENSITY Collective action through philanthropy, There were fewer devoted outdoor participants but marketing, and policies at the local, state more casual ones. A decade ago, 24 percent of total and federal levels must address these participants reported participating more than twice a challenges, help bring individuals and week, while in 2020 just 20 percent did. The same pattern entire communities outside, and inspire occurred among children, young adults and adults. them to build life-long relationships with the outdoors. 4 OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION SNAPSHOT OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION SNAPSHOT OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION GROWS AMID COVID-19 KEY 60% 165 FINDINGS 55% 160 50% 155 In 2020, 160.7 million 45% 150 Americans 40% 145 ages 6 and over participated in 35% 140 at least one 30% 135 outdoor activity. 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Driven by COVID impacts, 7.1 million more participated % PARTICIPATING IN OUTDOOR REC # OF PARTICIPANTS (MILLIONS) than in 2019. MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES BY PARTICIPATION RATE The outdoor participation rate—the percent of the 1 RUNNING, JOGGING 21.0% of Americans 63.8 million participants population that reported AND TRAIL RUNNING participating—rose to 52.9 percent in 2020, up from 2 HIKING 19.0% of Americans 57.8 million participants 50.7 percent in 2019. 3 FRESHWATER, SALTWATER 18.0% of Americans 54.7 million participants This was the AND FLY FISHING largest one-year 4 ROAD BIKING, MOUNTAIN BIKING 17.3% of Americans 52.7 million participants jump on record. AND BMX 5 CAR, BACKYARD, BACKPACKING 15.8% of Americans 47.9 million participants AND RV CAMPING 6 KEY FINDINGS In each of the last three years, The youngest the number of outdoor participants has participants, children grown more than 3 percent annually. ages 6 to 17, were outdoors far less. In 2012, kids averaged 91 outings per participant versus just 77 in 2020. Young adults Households with children had much ages 18 to 24 exhibited similar declines. higher participation rates than those without children— 60 percent versus 46 percent. Despite a COVID-related jump, the number of times that participants engaged in outdoor Just over recreation continued to decline 48 percent of females in recent years. ages 6 and over participated in 2020, up from 46 percent in 2019. · Participants reported the same number of total outdoor outings—11.4 billion—as in 2007. However, it took an additional 22 million participants in 2020 to reach that same number of outings. Participants went on a collective · In 2015, the average number of outings per 11.4 billion outdoor outings, participant was 82, but in 2020 that number fell to a 5 percent gain from 2019 but still below the 12.4 billion 71. This represents a 13 percent decline in just outings recorded in 2012. five years. 7 PARTICIPANT PROFILE PARTICIPANT PROFILE KEY FINDINGS About 30 percent of participants reported they were more active in the outdoors in 2020 than the year before. These participants were more likely to be under 25 54 percent of participants were male while 46 percent were female. years old, live in Southern states, and have household incomes above the This gender gap has not changed in eight years, national average. suggesting that industry efforts to expand the participation base have been ineffective or stagnated. The lowest and highest earners reported the strongest participation growth. 72 percent of 2020 participants were White, The participation rate among households with incomes under $25,000 unchanged from the year prior. Over the past three years, Hispanic grew 6 percent annually in the last three years, while those with participation grew over 4 percent annually, Black participation increased just household incomes over $100,000 increased 3 percent annually in the 1 percent annually and Asian participation fell 1 percent each year. past three years. PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS 100% 10% 65+ 6% ASIAN POST-GRAD 14% STUDIES 9% BLACK 12% 55-64 32% ≥$100,000 80% 46% FEMALE 11% HISPANIC COLLEGE 26% 14% 45-54 2% OTHER GRAD 60% $75,000-$99,999 15% 35-44 14% 20% 1-3 YEARS COLLEGE 18% $50,000-$74,999 17% 25-34 40% 72% WHITE HIGH SCHOOL MALE 17% 54% GRAD 11% 18-24 20% $25,000-$49,999 1-3 YRS OF 20% 7% 9% 13-17 HIGH SCHOOL 15% 8TH GRADE 15% ≤$25,000 12% 6-12 OR LESS 0% GENDER AGE ETHNICITY EDUCATION INCOME 9 LEGEND INTEREST LEVEL OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE OF HIGHEST INTEREST Camping OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Survey respondents, both INTEREST UNDER $25,000 to $50,000 to $75,000 to $100,000+ outdoor participants and non- LEVEL $25,000 $49,999 $74,999 $99,999 Fishing participants, were asked to choose which of 122 team, Hiking individual and outdoor activities 1 they intended to participate in during the next 12 months. Running Outdoor activities ranked 2 highly on that list. Activating non-participants and retaining current ones must remain a 3 key priority for every outdoor company and organization. 4 Baseballl 5 Basketball Cardio Fitness Soccer INTEREST Ages Ages Ages Ages Ages Ages Ages Ages LEVEL 6 to 12 13 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65+ Swimming for 1 fitness Working out 2 with machines Working out 3 with weights 4 Yoga 5 10 FREQUENCY CONTINUES TO DECLINE Total participants and the participation rate increased in 2020, as did the average number 100% of outings per participant, albeit slightly. Amid CORE these gains, a quiet and troubling trend has 52+ 38% 40% 38% 37% 36% 35% 33% 80% taken hold – participants engage less often Outings per year in outdoor activities. 60% MODERATE There were fewer highly active participants 33% 32% 33% 33% 33% 33% 34% 12 to 51 and more that went out less often. Prior 40% Outings per year to 2020, the average number of outings per participant declined every year for the last CASUAL 20% decade, and during 2020 it rose just 1 percent. 1 to 11 29% 28% 28% 30% 32% 32% 33% Outings per year 0% Casual participants, those participating less 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 than once a month, grew to 33 percent of all participants from 28 percent in 2010. Core participants, those participating more HOW HAS YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES than once a week, fell from 40 percent of all CHANGED OVER THE LAST YEAR? participants in 2010 to just 33 percent in 2020. ALL AMERICANS AGES 6+ The most dedicated participants often recruit friends into outdoor recreation, introduce their children to their favorite activities, and 5% 2% sometimes turn their hobby into a business, spurring innovation and developing future More active outdoors industry leaders.