Outdoor Participation Report 2017

1 Outdoor Participation Report 2017. 2017 Outdoor Recreation Participation Key Outdoor A Detailed 34. Method .. 40. The Outdoor Foundation 419 7th St. NW, Suite 401 | Washington DC 20002. Key Findings Outdoor Participation YOUTH. million Americans, or of the The Participation rate among males ages US population, participated in an Outdoor 6 to 12 and ages 13 to 17 increased by one activity at least once in 2016. percentage point since last year to reach 65%. Participation among males ages 18. Outdoor Participation grew from of to 24 dropped by two percentage points the US population in 2015 to in 2016. to 54%. This represents an addition of 2 million Outdoor participants. Participation among females experienced opposite results from 2015 to 2016.

2 While million Americans returned to Participation rates dropped by one or started participating in one or more of percentage point among females ages 6 to the Outdoor activities measured, million 12 and ages 13 to 17. Young adults, ages 18. stopped. That equates to a net gain of 2. to 24, added 3 percentage points to reach million total participants and a churn rate 56%. of 6%. Data shows that adults who were introduced Participants went on a total of billion to the outdoors as children were more Outdoor outings in 2016, a decrease from likely to participate in Outdoor activities billion in 2015. during adulthood than those who were not exposed to the outdoors as children. In fact, 21% of Outdoor enthusiasts participated in 37 percent of adults who were introduced Outdoor activities at least twice per week.

3 To the outdoors during childhood grew up to enjoy Outdoor activities as adults. Only Running, including jogging and trail 16 percent of adults who do not currently running, was the most popular activity participate in any Outdoor activities had among Americans when measured by both Outdoor experiences as children. number of participants and by number of total annual outings. DIVERSITY. 19% Outdoor participants lived in the Participation among Asians has increased by South Atlantic region of the US, making over the past five years while Caucasian its population the most active in Outdoor Participation has declined by activities. Black and Hispanic participants went on the Walking for fitness was, by far, the most most average outings per participant.

4 Popular crossover activity. 45% of all Outdoor participants also walked. Running was the most popular Outdoor activity for almost all ethnicities; however, The biggest motivator for Outdoor white participants participated in fishing at a Participation was getting exercise. higher rate than running. 2017 Outdoor Participation Report 1. Outdoor . Outdoor . Participation . Participation . Outdoor Participation trends All Americans, ages 6+. 60%. 50%. 40%. 30%. 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6. 200 200 200 200 201 201 201 201 201 201 201. Outdoor Participation Over Time of the US population participated in an Outdoor activity at least once in 2016. This is a slight increase from the year before. Number of Participants Number of Outings Average Outings million Americans, ages 6 Outdoor outings fell from Outdoor participants embarked and over, participated in Outdoor billion excursions in 2015 to on an average of 77 outings per recreation, an increase of 2 million billion in 2016.

5 These are the person last year. During the year participants since the year before. fewest outings since 2010. before, the average was outings per person. 2017 Outdoor Participation Report 3. Participation in-depth All Americans, ages 6+. 150%. 120%. Churn Rate 90% 60%. + 30%. 0%. -30% Total New/Returning Lost Total Participants Participants Participants Participants 2015 2016 2016 2016. The Leaky Bucket The leaky bucket illustrates how Outdoor Participation grew from 2015 to 2016. Outdoor activities attracted million participants who tried Outdoor activities for the first time or returned after a hiatus. The loss of participants was much less only million people stopped participating.

6 In addition, more participants were retained, with the churn rate dropping from in 2015 to in 2016. New/Returning Lost Participants Continuing Participants Participants million people stopped The majority of participants, New Outdoor participants made participating in Outdoor , continued participating up of total participants, or recreation in 2016. The attrition in Outdoor activities from 2015. million Americans. Returning rate decreased since 2015 when to 2016. That equates to participants, those returning after million people stopped million people. a hiatus, accounted for participating in the outdoors. of participants, or million people. 2017 Outdoor Participation Report 4. participant demographics Outdoor Participants, ages 6+.

7 Mountain: 8%. New England: 5%. West North Central: 8%. East North Central: 15%. Middle Atlantic: 13%. Pacific: 17%. East South Central: 5%. West South Central: 11%. South Atlantic: 19%. highest percentage of participants Geographic Breakdown of Participants The South Atlantic region, which includes the southern states on the Eastern Seaboard and West Virginia, had the highest rate of Outdoor Participation in the country. The Pacific region, including the states on the West Coast, had the second highest Participation rate. 2017 Outdoor Participation Report 5. participant demographics Outdoor Participants, ages 6+. Other 1% Other 2%. 100%. Post-Grad 9% Black 14% Studies 6% Asian 37% 45+ 32% $100,000+.

8 80%. 46% Female College 27% Grad $75,000- 60% 15% $99,999. 28% 25-44 73% White 19%. $50,000- 21% 1-3 Yrs 40% $74,999 College 54% Male 12% 18-24 15% High School $25,000- 20% 21% $49,999. Grad 10% 13-17. 3 Yrs 21% High School 14% 6-12 14% $25,000. 10% Hispanic 0%. Gender Age Income Education Ethnicity Various Demographic Breakdowns of Participants Outdoor Participation skewed slightly male. Participants also tended to have higher household incomes and have at least some college experience. 2017 Outdoor Participation Report 6. annual Outdoor outings Outdoor Participants, ages 6+. 25%. 20%. 20%. 18%. 15%. 15% 14% 14%. 12%. 10%. 7%. 5%. 0%. o3 o1. 1 23 51 03 59 0+. 1t 4t to to to1 to2 26.

9 12 24 52 04. 1. Annual Outings per Participant The frequency of Outdoor activity among Americans varied. On the more active side of Participation , 21% of participants enjoyed Outdoor activities at least twice a week. On the less active side, 32% participated less than once a month. Almost half of Americans were moderately active in Outdoor recreation, getting outside between 12 and 103 times per year. 2017 Outdoor Participation Report 7. Outdoor activities Outdoor Participants, ages 6+. Most Popular Outdoor Activities by Participation Rate 1. Running, Jogging and Trail Running 18% of Americans / million participants 2. Freshwater, Saltwater and Fly Fishing 16% of Americans / million participants 3.

10 Road Biking, Mountain Biking and BMX. 15% of Americans / million participants 4. Hiking 14% of Americans / million participants 5. Car, Backyard, Backpacking and RV Camping 14% of Americans / million participants Favorite Outdoor Activities by Frequency of Participation 1. Running, Jogging and Trail Running 82 average outings per runner / billion total outings 2. Road, Mountain and BMX Biking 53 average outings per cyclist / billion total outings 3. Freshwater, Saltwater and Fly Fishing 19 average outings per angler / million total outings 4. Hiking 14 average outings per hiker / million total outings 5. Car, Backyard, Backpacking and RV Camping 13 average outings per camper / million total outings Note: Similar activities have been grouped.