The RV industry has been consistently growing year after year. In the last few years, the industry has seen millennials living in RVs, retirees swapping to the RV life, and the age 35-55 crowd taking a larger market share than the typical 60+ buyers.
And that’s just the beginning.
In this report, we cover:
- Key RV industry statistics
- How COVID affected the RV industry over the last two years
- An analysis of RV industry trends
- What states sell the most RVs
- RV industry news
- The RV consumer demographic profile
- RV market values and economic impact over time
- Why people buy RVs and why the industry is growing
Table of Contents
- RV Sales by Month 2020-2021
- The RV Market’s Economic Impact
- RV Consumer Demographic Profile Data
- RV Direct Wholesale & Manufacturing Stats
- Why Do People Buy RVs?
- What Kind of RVs Are People Buying?
- How Do People Use Their RVs?
- Full-Time RVing Statistics
- RV Sales By State (Chart)
RV Sales by Month 2020-2021
The chart above shows RV sales year-over-year from 2020 to 2021. Year over year there were 3.5% more RV shipments, not including August, which doesn’t have data released yet. (RV News)
The RV Market’s Economic Impact
As you can see in the chart above, the RV industry has steadily grown to record highs over the last 12 years, hitting a projected 577,200 units shipped in 2021. (RVIA)
What does that equate to in dollars? And how has this impacted the U.S. economy? Let’s see:
- In 2019, the RV industry had an overall economic impact to the US economy of $114 billion, supporting nearly 600,000 jobs, contributing more than $32 billion in wages and paying over $12 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. (RVIA)
- In 2017, the RV industry celebrated its eighth straight year of sales growth. During this 8-year span, the recreational vehicle industry has grown more than 200%. (RVIA)
- However, 2018 and 2019 ended this streak with slight declines. But 2020 finished the year with 430,412 units sold, up 6 percent since 2019 and representing the survey’s fourth-best annual shipment total. (RV News) (RVIA)
- The U.S. isn’t the only nation affected by the RV industry. In Canada, the industry is responsible for over $3.8 billion in retail sales each year. (CRVA)
- In comparison, the U.S. RV industry generates almost $20 billion in retail sales annually from over a half-million wholesale shipments of RVs. (RVIA)
- Over 200,000 indirect loans were generated at retail locations offering recreational vehicles for sale in 2017. These loans totaled $8.4 billion from households purchasing RVs. (CRVA)
- Of those 200,000 loans, the average amount financed by a household purchasing an RV is over $45,000 USD. (CRVA)
- There are affordable RVs available today for around $10,000, but the average price of a motorhome is much higher. Class C and Class B motorhomes retail anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000, while a Class A motorhome can retail for more than $500,000. (Camper Report)
- The RV industry contributes almost $12 billion in taxes to the U.S. economy every year. (RVIA)
RV Consumer Demographic Profile Data
This section of the report covers all the studies and statistics related to the average RV shopper and their consumer demographic profile data.
- Americans are the largest market segment for the RV industry to-date. Roughly 40 million people in the United States go RV camping. (This includes backyard and car-based camping.) (2021 Topline North American Camping Report)
- Of those 40 million, Millennials and Gen Zers make up approximately 22% of campers, according to a 2021 demographic study. (RVIA)
- However, the average RV owner in the U.S. is 48 years old. (RVIA)
- Although Millennials are discovering the RV industry, Generation X and Baby Boomers are still the biggest segments of the industry. Households in the 35-54 age demographic are the most likely to own an RV in the U.S. right now. (RVIA)
- Other studies back this up. According to the University of Michigan, more RVs are owned by people in the 35-54 age demographic than any other age category. (University of Michigan)
- More than 11 million families in the U.S. report ownership of an RV. Additionally, there are about 18,000 campgrounds and parking facilities throughout the country, both public and private, which support RV camping. (RVIA)
- The typical household income for RV owning households is about $62,000. These families spend an average of 3-4 weeks each year using their RV in some way. (RVIA)
- There has been a 62% increase in household ownership of recreational vehicles in the United States since 2001. Additionally, 124% more households own an RV now compared to 1980. (RVIA)
- About 65% of RV owners bring their pets with themwhen they travel thanks to how their RV is designed. (RVIA)
RV Direct Wholesale & Manufacturing Stats
This section will discuss the impact of RV wholesale direct manufacturing and the economic impact of RV manufacturers:
- More than 100 manufacturers are currently active, most of which are based in the U.S. An additional 400 manufacturers, distributors, or suppliers of RV parts support the industry as well. (CRVA)(RVIA)
- Indiana is responsible for 80% of the nation’s manufactured RVs. Of those, 3 out of every 5 RVs comes from just one county: Elkhart County. (CRVA)
- As Millennials become a bigger part of the RV industry, revenues for RV manufacturers have increased dramatically. In 2017 alone, Winnebago saw a 500% increase in revenues in a single quarter and Thor Industries saw a 106% revenue increase. (RVIA)(Thor Industries)
- Over 2,700 dealerships currently operate in the United States, creating over 51,000 direct employment opportunities. (census.gov)
- Recreational vehicle dealers manage roughly $26 billion in revenues each year. Since 2013, the average annual growth rate in the industry has been 6.6%. (census.gov)(businesswire)
- Just 5 countries make up the majority of industry exports for the U.S.-based RV industry. Of those, Canada is the primary RV export destination with more than 90% of industry exports going north each year. (CRVA)
- Canada generates C$7.56 billion each year in recreational vehicle retail sales. (CRVA)
Why Do People Buy RVs?
Here are some statistics on why people decide to buy recreational vehicles:
- The main reason people purchase RVs is because it allows families a way to go camping that is easier than traditional camping options. About 60% of new RV owners state that they believe an RV is the safest way to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2021 Topline North American Camping Report)
- Another reason RVs are popular in North America is the cost-savings they offer families. An RV vacation can be over 60% cheaper than a traditional vacation at a hotel, bed and breakfast, or similar type of accommodation. (RVIA)
- About 1 in 4 Americans say they prefer to take a hiking/trekking vacation that involves RV camping. (RVIA)
What Kind of RVs Are People Buying?
There are a dozen types of RVs, from Class A’s to Fifth Wheels to Teardrop Trailers and Camper Vans. So which types of RVs are people buying? Let’s take a look:
- In the United States, 1 out of every 5 RVs (20%) is classified as a “conventional travel trailer.” About 14% of households own a Type A motorhome or a fifth-wheel. PMRVs come in third, representing 12% of RV ownership. (RVIA)
- The retail price of a camper trailer or a folding trailer can be as low as $5,000 while still being able to accommodate a family of 4. However, families still need a compatible truck to tow it. (RVIA)
- Over 94,000 wholesale shipments of fifth-wheel RVs occur each year, compared to just 62,000 wholesale shipments of motorhomes, which are traditionally viewed as the primary RV families own. Fifth-wheels are taking over as the primary RV in an American household! (RVIA)
How Do People Use Their RVs?
What do the statistics say about how people are using their RVs? Here’s what we know:
- The average RV owner drives around 4,500 miles each year in their RV. (University of Michigan)
- 90% of RV-owning households report that they take at least 3 trips with their vehicle or trailer each year. This is in addition to their regular yearly vacation. (RVIA)
- About 30% of recreational vehicle owners say that they take advantage of camping locations outside of a traditional campground, such as boondocking or staying at a Walmart. (2021 Topline North American Camping Report)
- The most popular RV vacation destination in the United States has consistently been Yosemite National Park. (National Parks Service)
-
On average, approximately 250,000 visitors come to Yosemite every year with their recreational vehicle. (National Parks Service)
- However, 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic saw Great Smokey Mountains National Park as the most-visited destination. (National Parks Service)
Full-Time RVing Statistics
It’s becoming more and more popular for people to sell most of their possessions and live in an RV full time. While there haven’t been many studies on this group yet, we did find this shocking statistic:
- One million Americans live full-time in RVs. (Washington Post)
RV Sales By State (Chart)
The last known report of RV sales by state was done in 2019 by RVs Move America, a subsidiary of RVIA. According to their reports, here is a breakdown of RV sales by state:
|
State |
RV Sales and Service |
# of RVShipments |
Total Direct Economic Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL | $251.3 M | 8,550 | $2.2 B |
|
AK | $82.1 M | 522 | $242.2 M |
|
AZ | $823.9 M | 11,220 | $2.0 B |
|
AK | $147.3 M | 4,408 | $649 M |
|
CA | $2.4 B | 42,266 | $8.8 B |
|
CO | $556.6 M | 11,105 | $1.4 B |
|
CT | $140.8 M | 2,055 | $713 M |
|
DE | $35.2 M | 1,147 | $231.2 M |
|
DC | $11 M | 0 | $119.1 M |
|
FL | $1.5 B | 27,966 | $3.7 B |
|
GA | $467 M | 9,716 | $1.8 B |
|
HI | $12.3 M | 5 | $47.8 M |
|
ID | $216.5 M | 9,434* | $1.3 B |
|
IL | $625.6 M | 11,124 | $2.4 B |
|
IN | $481.4 M | 385,307* | $32.4 B |
|
IA | $292.7 M | 13,540* | $2.5 B |
|
KS | $160.1 M | 1,691 | $873.2 M |
|
KY | $254.1 M | 5,434 | $1.1 B |
|
LA | $290.2 M | 6,928 | $1.0 B |
|
ME | $62.7 M | 2,294 | $372.4 M |
|
MD | $162.1 M | 3,406 | $657.7 M |
|
MA | $199 M | 3,175 | $809.2 M |
|
MI | $712.6 M | 22,305 | $3.4 B |
|
MN | $580.3 M | 11,198 | $2.4 B |
|
MS | $2.4 B | 4,073 | $821.9 M |
|
MO | $432.2 M | 10,300 | $1.4 B |
|
MT | $163.2 M | 3,365 | $457.6 M |
|
NE | $151.4 M | 3,554 | $737.3 M |
|
NV | $291.9 M | 4,479 | $1.1 B |
|
NH | $128.7 M | 2,762 | $451.7 M |
|
NJ | $278.1 M | 3,295 | $1 B |
|
NM | $178.9 M | 3,492 | $455.8 M |
|
NY | $805.4 M | 11,442 | $2.3 B |
|
NC | $384.6 M | 10,664 | $2.2 B |
|
ND | $74.8 M | 1,595 | $340.1 M |
|
OH | $632.1 M | 21,494 | $4.1 B |
|
OK | $253.1 M | 6,724 | $1.5 B |
|
OR | $675.8 M | 11,655* | $4.3 B |
|
PA | $646.9 M | 14,654 | $2.8 B |
|
RI | $42.3 M | 205 | $190.4 M |
|
SC | $211.1 M | 6,849 | $1.1 B |
|
SD | $111 M | 2,015 | $453.9 M |
|
TN | $299.7 M | 6,867 | $2.6 B |
|
TX | $1.8 B | 40,007 | $6.9 B |
|
UT | $286 M | 8,499 | $865.6 M |
|
VT | $33.9 M | 2,461 | $239.2 M |
|
VA | $249.3 M | 6,862 | $1.4 B |
|
WA | $804 M | 14,920 | $2.1 B |
|
WV | $52.9 M | 2,399 | $414.5 M |
|
WI | $344.1 M | 9,948 | $2.1 B |
|
WY | $42.7 M | 782 | $243.4 M |
*Represents # of RVs manufactured rather than shipped. These states have more RV manufacturers and don’t need to import units.
Which states sell the most RVs? The states that sell the most RVs are California ($2.4 B), Texas ($1.8 B), and Florida ($1.5 B).
Note: If you use the above chart anywhere online, please give credit to https://www.thewanderingrv.com/rv-industry-statistics-trends-facts/
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