Interesting Residential Swimming Pool Statistics In The US (2024)

There are 10.4 million residential swimming pools in the US which may seem like a lot, given it’s nearly the size of Michigan’s population, but it’s not. Actually, less than 8% of US homes currently have the luxury of owning a pool.

In recent years, the number of residential swimming pools in the USA has been declining, but homeowners still find a way to invest in their own backyard oasis. So, what are the factors contributing to this trend?

Read on as we explore the current state of residential swimming pools in the USA and analyze the latest statistics and facts on this iconic symbol of summertime fun.

Fascinating Facts and Stats

The cost of the average residential pool is $35,000.
Concrete pools have an annual maintenance cost of over $2,750.
A swimming pool can up the value of a home by 7%.
The swimming pool construction market in the US was $9.6 billion in 2022.
59% of residential pools in the US are in-ground.
At least 10% of the swimming pools in the US are saltwater pools.
At 1.59 million, Florida has the highest number of pools.

Residential Pools

1. The average residential pool size is about 10 to 20 feet wide by 20 to 40 feet long.

(Central Jersey Pools)

Pools come in different shapes and sizes, but most residential ones are rectangular and are between 10 to 20 feet wide by 20 to 40 feet long and 6 to 8 feet deep. Typically, a medium-sized residential pool should hold around 16,000 gallons of water, and according to recommendations, it should take up around 25% to 30% of your backyard.

2. The cost of the average residential pool is $35,000.

(Home Guide)

Installing an in-ground pool does not come cheap. As per the latest data, depending on the size, supplier, and materials used, the cost of installing a residential pool ranges between $28,000 to $55,000.

The minimum inground pool cost in the US is $20,000, while the maximum goes as high as $195,000. Also, adding special customizations and extra features like hot tubs, lighting, covers etc., may increase the base price by $2,000 to $10,000. Here’s a breakdown of all the costs associated with installing a residential pool:

Landscaping – $100 – $45,000
Permits – $200 – $300
Excavation – $400 – $1.500
Pool Shell –$500 – $5,000
Equipment and Crane Rental – $2,400 – $2,800
Dirt Disposal – $13,000
Pool Equipment – $700 – $1,200

3. It takes an average of 8 to 12 weeks to build a pool.

(Swimming Pool)

Depending on the complexity of the work, a backyard pool may be completed within a month, or it may take up to four months. This depends on how long each of the phases involved in pool installation will take. For instance, excavation may be completed within two days, but if complications arise, it may take longer. Here’s an overview of how long each phase lasts:

Design – 1 to 4 weeks
Permitting – 2 to 6 weeks
Excavation – 1 week
Steel, Plumbing, Electrical – 1 to 2 weeks
Building the Pool Shell – 1 to 3 weeks
Deck, Landscaping, Custom Features 1 to 4 weeks

4. Concrete pools have an annual maintenance cost of over $2,750.

(Home Guide)

The liner the pool is made of greatly impacts the yearly maintenance cost. And while concrete pools are the most expensive to maintain, they also last the longest–over 50 years. Additionally, fiberglass pools are the cheapest for maintenance, with an annual cost of a little over $375 but may last over 25 years. Vinyl pools are mid-range when it comes to maintenance and cost an average of over $1,325, but liner replacement costs an additional $3,000 to $4,000 and needs replacing every 10 years.

5. A swimming pool can up the value of a home by 7%.

(House Logic, Redfin)

According to reports, residential pools tend to increase the value of a home between 5% to 8%. Other reports say it can add between $11,591 and $95,393. In reality, the extent to which a pool will boost the worth of a house depends on factors such as size, location and market. A house with a pool in Los Angeles, for example, will be worth around $95k more than the same house, in the same area that doesn’t have a pool. The same size house in Phoenix will only get around $11k boost on the base price.

6. The swimming pool construction market in the US was $9.6 billion in 2022.

(IBIS World, Market Data Forecast)

Despite the fact that the swimming pool construction market in the US has been growing by an average of 0.9% in the past five years, in 2022, it noted a decline by a total of 7%. Moreover, the key negative factors affecting this industry are the value of residential construction and high competition.

Worldwide, the swimming pool market is expected to reach $3,66 billion by 2028. In 2022 the swimming pool market was valued at $3.18 billion, a number which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.93% over the next six years.

7. 59% of residential pools in the US are in-ground.

(Ruby Home)

Of the total of 10.7 million pools in the US, 6,100,000 are the traditional backyard you’d expect to see when someone invites you to a pool party. Another 4,300,000 are residential above-ground pools which have somewhat different requirements when it comes to safety, especially regarding fencing. Finally, 309,000 are commercial or public swimming pools.

8. There are over 7.3 million hot tubs in the US.

(Live About)

Swimming pools have long been a popular feature of the American suburban landscape, but in recent years hot tubs have been making a splash of their own. In fact, the states where the concentration of hot tubs in houses is highest are California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and New York. However, according to recent surveys, nearly 57% of hot tubs and spas are in direct or indirect violation of environmental health ordinances, and another 11% require immediate closure.

9. At least 10% of the swimming pools in the US are saltwater pools.

(Pool Research, Smart Meetings)

Saltwater pools contain a fraction of seawater salt or up to 5,000 parts per million, but they are much gentler than traditional pools and keep swimmers from experiencing the redness and irritation on the eyes caused by chlorine. Another upside is that they’re easier to maintain than chlorine pools, so the data that there are between 10–15% saltwater pools in the US should not come as a surprise. In terms of numbers, it is estimated that there are around 1.4 million houses with saltwater pools.

10. Around 8% of US households own a swimming pool.

(Ruby Home, Statista)

So, how many private swimming pools are there in the US? According to a survey, 17.12% of Americans between the ages of 18 to 29 years own a pool, hot tub, or spa, and 16.19% of Americans aged 30-49 declared the same. The number of pool or hot tub owners aged 50 to 64 is lowest at 12.97%.

11. Over 28 million Americans went swimming at least once in 2021.

(Statista, CDC)

Swimming is the fourth favorite recreational sport in the US, with 25.62 million Americans declaring they swim for fitness and another 2.82 million saying they swim for a team.

According to a publication from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 31% of Americans over the age of 16, swim in oceans, lakes and rivers every year. Also, 36% of children aged 7 to 17 and 15% of adults swim at least six times a year.

US Market for Swimming Pools

12. Recurring expenses for swimming pool maintenance cost around $800 a year.

(Pool and PatioPros,Statista)

There are no concrete numbers when it comes to pool maintenance, as the expenses vary on whether the owner does the servicing or leaves it to professionals to do it for them. Some reports say outsourcing costs from around $50 to $120 per month or up to $1440 a year.

Official data about the swimming pool sector in the US, which includes maintenance, reveal a significant decline from $1.56 billion in 2019 to $1.01 billion in 2020. This means that Americans are spending much less on swimming pools than they used to.

13. At 1.59 million, Florida is the state with the highest number of pools.

(Ruby Home)

Are swimming pools common in American houses? Believe it or not, Florida alone has enough to accommodate 14 people per pool. Second-ranked is California, where there are 1.34 million, followed by Arizona, with 505,000 pools. Florida, Arizona, and New Mexico are also the states with the highest number of swimming pools per capita. Wyoming is the state with the lowest number of pools, or around 3,000.

14. Phoenix is the city with the highest number of residential pools.

(Pool Magazine)

One in three homes in Phoenix has a swimming pool, or 32.7%, according to most recent statistics. With 30.6% of homes enjoying a backyard plunge, Miami is ranked second and third is Tampa, where 27.7% of households own a pool. Orlando is the fourth city with the most residential swimming pools at 25.9%, while Las Vegas completes the top five list with 23.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much water is wasted every year in residential swimming pools?

An average residential swimming pool in the United States holds about 18,000 of water. It is recommended to replace a portion of the pool water every year to maintain water quality and prevent the buildup of harmful chemicals. This can range from 10% to 20% of the total volume, which means that a pool owner would need to drain and refill between 1,800 and 3,600 gallons of water annually.

In addition to the water lost through intentional draining and refilling, residential swimming pools can lose water through evaporation, splashing, leaks, and backwashing of the pool filter. Evaporation is the primary cause of water loss, with an average of 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water evaporating from the pool’s surface every day.

2. Why are there barely any recreational public swimming pools in the United States?

The main reason why there are barely any recreational public swimming pools in the US is cost. Building and maintaining a public swimming pool is expensive, especially for cash-strapped municipalities. The initial construction costs, ongoing maintenance and upkeep, and staffing expenses can add up quickly. Also, public swimming pools are a liability for municipalities, as accidents and injuries can occur, leading to costly lawsuits.

3. How many swimming pool accidents happen in the US?

According to the Center for Disease Control, 11 Americans die every day due to drownings. On average, this amounts to 3,960 drowning deaths each year. Other reports show that a total of 390 deaths a year happen in swimming pools or spas. These statistics highlight the importance of practicing pool safety and taking steps to prevent drowning and other accidents, such as ensuring proper pool fencing and supervision, learning CPR, and providing swimming lessons for children.

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