A new report provides some eye-opening insights into the impact of the RV industry on the US economy as a whole. According to the RVs Move America Economic Impact Study, RV manufacturing, sales and service, campgrounds, and other travel-related businesses generate more than $140 billion annually. The industry also supports 680,000 jobs and pays over $48 billion in wages.
The study was commissioned by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) as a follow-up to research that the organization first conducted in 2019. The latest data indicates that since that initial analysis three years ago, the industry’s economic impact grew by $26 billion—an increase of 23%.
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Of the $140 billion generated, $73.7 billion is attributed directly to RV manufacturers and suppliers. Those companies employ more than 113,000 people across the country, with many of the jobs located in Indiana—the hub of RV manufacturing. That state alone saw $38 billion in economic activity directly attributed to RVing, although 30 other states generated at least $1 billion from the industry as well.
The RVIA study also revealed that RV sales and services accounted for another $30.5 billion, while campgrounds and related travel services added $35.7 billion. On top of that, the industry pays $13.6 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, further enhancing its economic influence.
“More Americans than ever before have discovered RVing and the incredible physical and mental health benefits that come from living an active outdoor lifestyle,” RVIA President and CEO Craig Kirby said in a press release. “The American-made RV industry is an essential part of the American economy that supports $140 billion in economic output and hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs.”
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According to RVIA, the RVs Move America Economic Impact Study encompasses a broad range of businesses that fall into the RV space. That includes companies involved in the manufacture, sale, rental, repair, storage, and service of RVs. The report also accounts for the aftermarket industry, financing, insurance, campgrounds, and additional funds spent on a typical camping trip.
The report also offers some perspective on the growth in popularity of RV camping over the past few years. In 2019, 25 million Americans indicated that they would go RVing that year. In 2022, that number has grown 160% to 65 million, which helps explain the tremendous increase in the industry’s economic impact.
For further information and insights from the report, visit the RVIA website.
