WHO IS VISITING LAKES IN IOWA?

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1 WHO IS VISITING LAKES IN IOWA? A Summary of the Iowa Lakes Survey Demographics Iowa State University, Department of Economics and Center for Agricultural and Rural Development The lakes of Iowa are popular destinations for single- and multiple-day recreational trips among Iowans. In 22, approximately 62 percent of Iowans visited a lake in Iowa at least once, with an average of about eight unique visits a year per resident. Yet, while the frequency of visits by residents to Iowa lakes is significant, usage does vary across different groups. Here, lake visitation habits are presented based upon several key demographics, including the following: Age Education Gender Income of Children in Household Two graphs are presented for each of the demographic categories. The first graph is a summary of the respondents to the Iowa lakes survey. The second graph presents the percentage of individuals in each demographic category based upon the number of trips to Iowa lakes they took in 22. This gives an illustration, for each demographic category, of which individuals more or less frequently visit Iowa lakes. Overall, a diverse spectrum of Iowans visit Iowa lakes.

2 Age The most common age group of respondents to the Iowa lakes survey was individuals between 35 and 49 years of age. Individuals under the age of 25 have the highest percentage of 1 or more visits to Iowa lakes. The percentage of individuals who visited lakes 1 or more times is decreasing in age. Individuals over the age of 76 have the highest percentage of visits to Iowa lakes. The percentage of individuals who visited lakes times is increasing in age. Overall, a large percentage of individuals in each age group visited lakes in Iowa at least once during the year, but individuals under the age of 6 more frequently visit Iowa lakes. 35% Age of Iowa Lakes Survey Respondents % in Age Category 3 25% 2 15% 5% Age Categories < Trips to Iowa Lakes by Age Groups of Trips < Age Category

3 Education The highest level of education achieved by the majority of respondents to the Iowa lakes survey was some college. A slightly smaller percentage of respondents have either completed high school or graduated from college. Individuals who completed some college had the highest percentage of 1 or more visits to Iowa lakes. But similar percentages are found for individuals who completed high school or graduated from college. Individuals who completed only some high school had the greatest percentage of zero visits to Iowa lakes. The percentage of individuals who did not visit lakes in Iowa decreases among those with more completed education. % in Education Category 35% 3 25% 2 15% 5% Education of Iowa Lakes Survey Respondents Education Categories Some High School High School Grad Some College College Grad Advanced Degree Trips to Iowa Lakes by Education Some High School High School Grad Some College College Grad Advanced Degree Highest Achieved Level of Education

4 Gender The majority of respondents to the Iowa lakes survey were males (approximately 65 percent in each year). Males responded that they, by a small margin compared to females, more frequently visited Iowa lakes more than 1 times. Females responded that they, by a small margin compared to males, more frequently did not visit any lakes in Iowa. Overall, the frequency of trips by males and females are quite similar. 7 Gender of Iowa Lakes Survey Respondents % in Gender Category Male Female Trips to Iowa Lakes by Gender 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% % Male Gender Female

5 Income The percentage of respondents to the Iowa lakes survey in each annual income category is similar. This indicates that the survey had an even distribution of respondents over the range of incomes in Iowa. The percentage of individuals who visited lakes in Iowa 1 or more times is highest for those in the 4K 5K income range. Over 2 percent of individuals in each income category visited Iowa lakes 1 or more times. The percentage of individuals who did not visit any lakes in Iowa is highest for those in the lowest income category. As income increases, the percentage of individuals who did not visit any lakes in Iowa decreases. Overall, it was found that usage of Iowa lakes is common over all incomes but is more frequent among those with middle and higher incomes. % in Income Category 16% 14% 12% 8% 6% 4% 2% Income of Iowa Lakes Survey Respondents Income Categories <1K 1K-2K 2K-3K 3K-4K 4K-5K 5K-6K 6K-75K 75K-1K 1K Trips to Iowa Lakes by Income <1K 1K- 2K 2K- 3K 3K- 4K 4K- 5K 5K- 6K Income (in Thousands) 6K- 75K 75K- 1K 1K+

6 of Children The majority of the respondents to the Iowa lakes survey have no children under the age of 18 in their homes. Approximately 35 percent of respondents have at least one child at home. The percentage of individuals who visited lakes in Iowa 1 or more times is highest for those with three or more children. The percentage of individuals who visited Iowa lakes 1 or more times is increasing in households with more children. The percentage of individuals who did not visit any lakes in Iowa is highest among those with no children. Overall, it was found that usage of Iowa lakes is common for households with and without children, but households with more children more frequently visit Iowa lakes. 8 of Children of Iowa Lakes Survey Respondents % in Category of Children Trips to Iowa Lakes by of Children of Children in Household (<18 Years Old)

7 What Activities Do Visitors to Iowa Lakes Participate In? Iowans engage in a number of different activities at lakes in Iowa. The following chart summarizes what activities visitors to Iowa lakes in 22 regularly engaged in during their visits. For each recreational activity, the percentages are broken down by the total number of visits during the year. The data collected through the Iowa lakes survey shows that the most popular activities at Iowa lakes are fishing, picnicking, nature appreciation, boating, and swimming. The least common activities are sailing and winter recreation (for example, snowmobiling). As well, the data shows that individuals who visit lakes many times during the year (1 or more visits) typically participate in the same activities as individuals who do not visit Iowa lakes as often ( visits). Activities that Visitors to Iowa lakes in 22 Regularly Participated in During Visits Boating Camping Canoeing Fishing Hunting Jet Skiing Nature Appreciation Picnicking Sailing Swimming Winter Recreation Trips in Trips in Trips in 22