Economic Impact by State – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

Outdoor Recreation Drives The American Economy

The outdoor recreation industry does more than bring joy to millions of Americans: It helps drive our economy. In 2019, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released updated national statistics, and for the first time ever, state-level data—a significant step that formally recognizes the critical role the industry plays in supporting economic growth in the United States. In addition, the BEA found that the outdoor recreation industry is growing rapidly, eclipsing the average increase in overall U.S. GDP.

Outdoor recreation is also a major generator of quality American jobs in industries ranging from manufacturing to retail to tourism. These jobs can be found from coast to coast and play a critical role in the economic health of local and state economies.

State-by-State Statistics

Alabama

$4.1 billion in value added
62,647 jobs
2% of the state economy

Alaska

$2.2 billion in value added
22,677 jobs
4.2% of the state economy

Arizona

$8.7 billion in value added
108,460 jobs
2.7% of the state economy

Arkansas

$2.9 billion in value added
39,299 jobs
2.3% of the state economy

California

$52.1 billion in value added
588,680 jobs
1.9% of the state economy

Colorado

$11.3 billion in value added
146,178 jobs
3.3% of the state economy

Connecticut

$3.6 billion in value added
48,390 jobs
1.4% of the state economy

Delaware

$1.3 billion in value added
18,485 jobs
1.8% of the state economy

District of Columbia

$1.6 billion in value added
23,651 jobs
1.2% of the district economy

Florida

$42.2 billion in value added
502,939 jobs
4.3% of the state economy

Georgia

$12.3 billion in value added
144,203 jobs
2.2% of the state economy

Hawaii

$4.8 billion in value added
57,584 jobs
5.4% of the state economy

Idaho

$2.3 billion in value added
33,831 jobs
3.2% of the state economy

Illinois

$14.7 billion in value added
165,400 jobs
1.8% of the state economy

Indiana

$9.7 billion in value added
108,535 jobs
2.8% of the state economy

Iowa

$3.4 billion in value added
48,185 jobs
1.9% of the state economy

Kansas

$2.9 billion in value added
39,776 jobs
1.8% of the state economy

Kentucky

$4.1 billion in value added
53,632 jobs
2.1% of the state economy

Louisiana

$5.9 billion in value added
59,460 jobs
2.5% of the state economy

Maine

$3 billion in value added
40,720 jobs
4.8% of the state economy

Maryland

$7.1 billion in value added
92,683 jobs
1.8% of the state economy

Massachusetts

$9.2 billion in value added
111,609 jobs
1.7% of the state economy

Michigan

$10 billion in value added
126,681 jobs
2% of the state economy

Minnesota

$9.6 billion in value added
101,035 jobs
2.7% of the state economy

Mississippi

$2.6 billion in value added
33,111 jobs
2.4% of the state economy

Missouri

$6.8 billion in value added
91,090 jobs
2.2% of the state economy

Montana

$2.4 billion in value added
28,847 jobs
5.1% of the state economy

Nebraska

$2.3 billion in value added
29,863 jobs
1.9% of the state economy

Nevada

$4.5 billion in value added
56,940 jobs
2.8% of the state economy

New Hampshire

$2.7 billion in value added
37,818 jobs
3.3% of the state economy

New Jersey

$11.2 billion in value added
139,017 jobs
1.9% of the state economy

New Mexico

$2.3 billion in value added
33,486 jobs
2.5% of the state economy

New York

$26.3 billion in value added
293,447 jobs
1.6% of the state economy

North Carolina

$11.9 billion in value added
151,589 jobs
2.2% of the state economy

North Dakota

$1.2 billion in value added
14,856 jobs
2.3% of the state economy

Ohio

$10.2 billion in value added
137,073 jobs
1.6% of the state economy

Oklahoma

$3.8 billion in value added
47,096 jobs
2.0% of the state economy

Oregon

$6.5 billion in value added
86,529 jobs
2.9% of the state economy

Pennsylvania

$13.2 billion in value added
173,588 jobs
1.8% of the state economy

Rhode Island

$1.4 billion in value added
21,642 jobs
2.3% of the state economy

South Carolina

$6.9 billion in value added
101,274 jobs
3.1% of the state economy

South Dakota

$1.3 billion in value added
18,718 jobs
2.7% of the state economy

Tennessee

$7.3 billion in value added
101,033 jobs
2.1% of the state economy

Texas

$34.6 billion in value added
340,798 jobs
2.1% of the state economy

Utah

$5.5 billion in value added
75,143 jobs
3.3% of the state economy

Vermont

$1.5 billion in value added
17,301 jobs
4.5% of the state economy

Virginia

$9.3 billion in value added
128,407 jobs
1.8% of the state economy

Washington

$11.5 billion in value added
128,991 jobs
2.2% of the state economy

West Virginia

$1.5 billion in value added
22,202 jobs
2.0% of the state economy

Wisconsin

$7.8 billion in value added
93,009 jobs
2.4% of the state economy

Wyoming

$1.6 billion in value added
23,062 jobs
4.4% of the state economy