Demographics of Full-time RVers: 13 Facts You Should Know (Explained)


demographics-of-full-time-rvers-facts-trends

Are you looking for demographics of full-time RVers?

Over the last couple of years, full-time RVing has become more popular. Most likely, you have heard of full-time RVing on social media or other media outlets. In fact, the hashtag #vanlife has reached over 6,000,000 uses on Instagram, just showing how popular it has become in mainstream media.

Because full-time RVing has become so popular online, many people assume that millennials and the younger generations are leading the pack in terms of full-time RVing.

Although more millennials are RVing full-time than before, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are still the most likely to do so.

So, what is the demographics of full-time RVers? Below you can find the latest statistics:

  • The average RV owner is between the ages of 35 and 55
  • 25% of full-time RVers work full-time on the road
  • 56% of household with pets
  • 3% household with children
  • 2% same-sex couples
  • 16% of full-time RVers travel solo
  • The average income of solo travelers is $150,000
  • 86% of lone travelers are 35 years and older
  • The average solo traveler is 47 years old
  • 84% of solo travelers are female

​Chances are, you are a bit shocked to hear that fact. There are probably other statistics and demographics about full-time RVers that could shock you. To find out more about demographics most likely to RV full-time, keep reading.

In this article, we take a close look at the demographics of full-time RVers. We also try to explain the reason behind these statistics and demographics to provide a bit more clarity.

Without further introduction, let’s dive right into the demographics of full-time RVers and explanations of these demograhcics. 

Most Common Demographics to RV Full-Time by Age

Below you can find the most common demographics to RV full-time by age:

Age GroupPercentage (%)
18-344.9%
35-4411%
45-5411.4%
55-6411.1%
65-748.8%
75+5.5%
Demographics to RV full-time by age
RankingGeneration
1Baby Boomers
2Generation X
3Millennials

Let’s start by looking at the age demographic. Just by glancing at the charts above, you will easily see that the most common demographics for full-time RVing include Baby Boomers, whereas the least common are Millennials and Generation Z.

As we already mentioned above, many people mistakenly believe that most full-time RVers are millennials.

Although millennials are leading the way in terms of showing vanlife in the media, Baby Boomers are still the number one generation to live full-time in an RV.

πŸ‘‰ According to the census, 57% of respondents who liked RVing are over the age of 65 years old.

πŸ‘‰ Of this 57% of respondents, nearly half of them travel or live in their RV full-time. More specifically, 48% of the 65+ RVers live in their RV full-time.

After Baby Boomers, Generation X is the second most likely to live in their RV full-time.

πŸ‘‰ In fact, the average RV owner is between the ages of 35 and 55.

This middle-aged category shows that many are RVers are generation X.

The third most common group to RV full-time are millennials. Despite being the third most common, younger generations are starting to RV more and more.

πŸ‘‰ In fact, the numbers of young RVers have increased dramatically over the last couple of years.

Explanation

Why exactly are most full-time RVers Baby Boomers? Despite media perception, most full-time RVers live at trailer parks or RV parks.

They do not travel the country constantly, though they may travel occasionally. You do not have to travel to be considered a full-time RVer. You just have to live in your RV.

Because of this fact, many Baby Boomers retire to RV parks, especially in the states of Florida and California.

This retirement plan is why Baby Boomers make up the vast majority of full-time RVers. They do not necessarily travel as much as the younger generation, but they do live in their RVs more frequently. The same goes for Generation X.

Additionally, Baby Boomers are less likely to work.

πŸ‘‰ Millennials, on the other hand, still have their whole lives ahead of them, requiring them to work for money and a living, especially since living as a full-time RVer costs approximately $1,400 to $3,000 a month. This makes the ability to live in your RV full-time less appealing to younger generations.

Something else to consider about these statistics is that they are based on the census. The census is largely filled out by Baby Boomers and Generation X.

Millennials, on the other hand, are much less likely to participate or take the time to respond. Because of this fact, the statistics may be skewed slightly, though not a lot.

Many other studies support these findings, further proving that Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are most likely to RV full-time.

β€œβ€¦feel free to use our infographics. Just remember to give us credit.β€œ


demographics-of-full-time-rvers
Demographics Of Full Time RVers

Most Common Demographics to RV Full-Time by Household

Below you can find the most common demographics to RV full-time by household:

Household TypePercentage (%)
Opposite Sex Couples76%
Household with Pets56%
Solo Travelers16%
Households with Children3%
Same-Sex Couples2%

In addition to age, the household is a huge demographic factor to consider. As the chart above shows, the most common demographic to RV full-time are opposite-sex couples. In fact, a whopping majority of full-time RVers fall in this category.

πŸ‘‰ As much of 76% of these vanlife fanatics are couples of the opposite sex.

Another really common household demographic is traveling with pets. Over half of full-time RVers love to travel with their furry friends. This includes dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and just about any other pet you can think of. Even sugar gliders have been brought in on the vanlife journey.

Once you get past opposite-sex couples and pets, the commonality of other households dropped dramatically.

πŸ‘‰ Just 16% of full-time RVers travel solo. Almost all of these RVers are males, though solo female travelers are becoming more common.

πŸ‘‰ After that, just 3% of full-time RVers live or travel with children. After a recent study conducted post-COVID-19, however, people are more commonly thinking about taking their children along with full-time RVing.

πŸ‘‰ Finally, the least common household demographic to participate in full-time RVing is same-sex couples. They come in at only 2% of full-time RVers.

Explanation

Given the dramatic disparity between RV households, an explanation is definitely called for, though the explanations are relatively simple.

It makes sense that most full-time RVers are of opposite couplings for two reasons. One, there are simply more opposite-sex couples than same-sex couples.

Two, this fact is especially true of older generations. Given that the majority of full-time RVers are Baby Boomers to begin with and most baby boomers are heterosexual, it makes sense for most full-time RVers to be in opposite-sex couplings.

Additionally, the thought of traveling with your pet may not seem very fun, but as we mentioned above, most full-time RVers are stationary. The stationary full-timers contribute the most to the high pet population.

It probably does not warrant much explanation as to why so few full-time RV households include children.

Obviously, most Baby Boomers are well beyond the age of having children. Likewise, most millennials who RV full-time simply do not want to deal with the burden of a child while on the road.

Changing Demographics

Currently, we have only looked at the present demographics and statistics about full-time RVing. It is important to note that demographics have been and are continuing to change at an alarming rate. This includes demographics relating to the age, gender, and sexuality of RVers.

Most notably, age is the number one demographic that has been changing the most among full-time RVers. Millennials are especially RVing full-time more and more, which is unique to the young generation.

They still have a long way to go to beat out Baby Boomers, but millennials sure are changing the game for full-time RVing.

Age and sexuality are changing as well, though they are changing much slower than the age of full-time RVers.

Why are demographics changing?

Whenever statistical demographics start changing, regardless of whether it is about RVing or otherwise, it is important to ask why. Here are some theories about the changing demographics:

Pressures of the Modern World

It seems that the modern era comes with a lot of pressures, making the younger generation want to go towards a more financially independent and free lifestyle.

This simple desire is why many people speculate more millennials are leaning towards a vanlife lifestyle.

Modern Technology

Additionally, the rise in technology makes living on the road much more possible for the younger generation. As we mentioned above, younger generations still have to work for a living. Working on the road was simply not feasible for many people before the Internet.

Today, the rise in remote working makes vanlife totally possible for full-time workers.

πŸ‘‰ For example, nearly 25% of full-time RVers work full-time on the road. Similarly, 58% full-time of RVers work full-time remotely while on the road.

COVID-19

Oddly, it seems that COVID-19 has changed the demographics as well. During the start of the pandemic, the RV industry took a large hit since there were such strict traveling regulations.

Since the regulations have been loosened, however, the RV industry has hit an all-time high.

During a study conducted during October of last year, which is when the pandemic was starting to reside, more people and campers were thinking about going towards a full-time RVing lifestyle.

πŸ‘‰ According to this study, 40% of campers claimed that they are interested in turning into full-time RVers once the pandemic ends.

πŸ‘‰ Shockingly, 10% of infrequent campers said the same thing. This is a whopping increase of people thinking about becoming full-time RVers, and it seems that the pandemic is a large reason for this shift.

There are a lot of reasons why people would want to become full-time RVers after the pandemic. Given that many people have been working remotely during the pandemic, it has shown society that remote work is possible.

Additionally, the pandemic gave people time to relax and live the life they actually want, free from the extreme constraints of work. This has reminded people about the importance of doing what you love, not just what you are expected to do.

Independence

Finally, the last reason for these changing demographics is general independence. Females, for example, are starting to become full-time RVers more frequently.

This is because women feel more safe and able to live their own lifestyle than before. The same goes for younger generations and other demographics that are changing the full-time RVing way of life.

Final Thoughts

Currently, the most common demographic for full-time RVers are Baby Boomers of opposite-sex couplings. Many of these households also include a pet, though almost none include children. The least common coupling is same-sex millennial couples.

Still, the demographics of full-time RVers are changing dramatically. As we learned, millennials, as well as other demographics, are turning to full-time RVing more frequently.

We can only expect the demographics to change even more within the coming years.

Because of COVID-19, modern pressures, and the rise of technology, full-time RVing is becoming a more sustainable lifestyle choice for people all around the nation.

Young, old, male, female, and just about anyone else is able to live a lifestyle on the road in an RV.

References

https://www.escapees.com/

https://www.condorferries.co.uk/

Mike Gilmour

Hi, I'm Mike, co-founder, and editor of RV and Playa. My passion is traveling (with my RV) and enjoying the day at the beach (Playa)! Well, I originally created this blog as a way to share what I've learned by experimenting with the RV lifestyle, and I want to help others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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