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According to the Skatepark Association of the USA, there are:
- 7-10 million skateboarders
- 4 million aggressive in line skaters
- 1 million freestyle bikers

Additional info from: http://spausa.org/safety.html

Here are some of the significant facts in the SGMA International's Skateboarding Participation Report – 2003 Edition:
- The number of new participants between 1998 and 2002 grew from 2,157,000 to 3,308,000 – a 53.4% increase.
- In 2002, males comprised 76% of all skateboarders.
- 85% of all skateboarders are under the age of 18.
- The West continues to be the dominant region of the US for participation.
From: http://www.sgma.com/press/2003/press1056987137-26038.html


-1 out of every 10 teenagers owns or rides a skateboard
source, Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine
74% male / 26% female
Primary users are between the ages of 12 and 16
61% have riding between 1 — 4 years

Skatepark Facts
- More than 600 skateparks were built during 2001 in the U.S.
- There have been more skateparks built in the last three years than in the previous twenty
- 75% of communities that built a skatepark said that the park produced a significant reduction in the street skating problem
- 94% of communities agreed that their skatepark was a benefit to the community
- 50% of communities who built a skatepark has plans to build another

Rider Facts
- More than 9.3 million skateboarders will take to the streets in the U.S. this year
- In 2001, more people over the age of 7 participated in action sports than baseball, soccer, softball, volleyball, tennis or football (nearly 21,000,000).
- During the last ten years, no sport had a larger increase in participation among users age 7 and older than skateboarding (a 106.3% increase)
- Skateboarding is the third largest sport for participants between ages 6-18
- Skateboarding is the sixth largest participant sport in the U.S.
- 1 in 10 U.S. teenagers owns a skateboard
- In 2001 Female participation in skateboarding increased 23.7%

ActionSportsFoundation.org

TRENDS IN U.S. SPORTS/FITNESS PARTICIPATION 1999–2000
LARGEST GAINS
1-Year Change
Participants* 1999-2000

(000) (%)
1. Snowboarding 7,151 51.2%
2. Skateboarding 11,649 49.2%
3. Wakeboarding 3,581 32.3%
4. Snowmobiling 7,032 28.1%
5. Gymnastics 6,689 27.3%
6. Artificial Wall Climbing 6,117 27%
7. Surfing 2,180 25.6%
8. Elliptical Motion Trainers 6,176 21.6%
9. Softball (Fast-Pitch) 3,795 +18.1%†
10. Snowshoeing 1,970 +17.8%†
11. Skiing (Cross-Country) 4,613 15.7%
12. Yoga/Tai Chi 7,400 15.6%
13. Football (Tackle) 5,673 +15.0%†
14. Paintball 7,121 +11.9%†
15. Weight/Resistance Machines 25,182 9.7%
16. Treadmill Exercise 40,816 9%
17. Camping (R.V.) 19,035 8.3%
18. Golf 30,365 7.6%
19. Fishing (Fly) 6,581 + 7.3%†
20. Skiing (Downhill) 14,749 + 6.4%†

* At least once in year 2000
† Change not statistically significant at 95% Confidence Level

LARGEST DECLINES
1-Year
Change
Participants* 1999-2000
(000) (%)

1. Shooting (Sporting Clays) 2,843 -24.2
2. Stationary Cycling (Spinning) 5,431 -21.8
3. Shooting (Trap/Skeet) 3,827 -19.3
4. Trail Running 5,232 -16.1
5. Aerobics (Low-Impact) 9,752 -15.8
6. Target Shooing (Pistol) 10,433 -13.6
7. Archery 6,047 -12.8†
8. Roller Skating (2x2 Wheels) 10,834 -12.7
9. Hunting (Bow) 4,120 -11
10. Aerobics (High-Impact) 5,581 -10.7
11. Baseball 10,881 -9.8%
12. Racquetball 5,155 - 8.5†
13. Volleyball (Beach) 8,763 -8

* At least once in year 2000
† Change not statistically significant at 95% Confidence Level


Estimates put the number of skaters in Canada at nearly 1.5 million, which translates to 5% of the Canadian population.
— SBC Skateboard

In terms of injuries per participant, skateboarding (0.49%) ranks behind baseball (2.25%), basketball (1.49%) and soccer (0.93%).
— U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine’s demographics show a large increase in female skaters: 10% of skaters are women and 90% are men.
— Times Mirror Publications

The two most popular action sports in terms of participation are inline skating (21.6 million) and skateboarding (13 million). Paintball, snowboarding and artificial wall climbing round out the top five.
— SGMA International

Participation in paintball has grown every year since 1998, rising by nearly 50% during this period.
— SGMA International

Since 1990, participation in snowboarding has increased by 263%. Total participants in 2002 numbered 7.7 million.
— SGMA International

The average age of avid enthusiasts in six of the top action sports is under 19-year-old: skateboarding (13.2), inline skating (16.3), BMX bicycling (17.2), paintball (18.3), roller hockey (18.3) and snowboarding (18.8).
— SGMA International

The gender breakdown in inline skating is nearly even (51% female and 49% male). In the other action sports, men outnumber women by significant percentages.
— SGMA International

http://www.sportsspin.com/categories/a_s_skating/a_s_skating_stats.html


More helpful links:
- skatepark.org/Propaganda/Statisctics has a lot of resources for planning a park!
- http://www.actionsportsfoundation.org/index2.htm
- http://www.sportsspin.com/categories/a_s_skating/a_s_skating_stats.html