Number of Boat Building Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
1,174
boat building businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The boat building industry has declined 21.7% since 2000 (from 1,500 to 1,174 firms).
- •The peak year was 2001 with 1,538 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-3.3%).
- •Employment: 149,479 workers in 2023 (2.9% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 72%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,174 | 1,323 | 149,479 | 7.6% | 6.5% | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 1,161 | 1,301 | 146,060 | 8.5% | 7.7% | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 1,149 | 1,286 | 143,871 | 8.3% | 8.2% | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 1,164 | 1,298 | 140,247 | 6.4% | 9.5% | +3.4% |
| 2019 | 1,214 | 1,341 | 136,898 | 6.9% | 8.7% | -0.9% |
| 2018 | 1,247 | 1,378 | 137,956 | 9.0% | 7.7% | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 1,267 | 1,396 | 137,561 | 7.7% | 7.7% | -2.3% |
| 2016 | 1,272 | 1,406 | 140,119 | 7.6% | 7.7% | -2.2% |
| 2015 | 1,286 | 1,414 | 143,374 | 7.9% | 6.8% | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 1,290 | 1,410 | 138,734 | 9.0% | 7.5% | +2.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.