A reference for makers, writers, and curious shoppers
Handmade and Craft Statistics
A concise collection of current U.S. data on the creative economy, craft-fair participation, and the people who make art for a living.
Last updated October 20, 2026
$1.17T
U.S. arts and cultural production
Arts and cultural economic activity accounted for 4.2% of U.S. GDP in 2023.
2023 data, released April 2025
6.6%
Inflation-adjusted growth
U.S. arts and cultural economic activity grew 6.6% in 2023, compared with 2.9% for the broader economy.
2023 data, released April 2025
5.4M
Arts and cultural jobs
The nation had 5.4 million jobs related to arts and culture in 2023.
2023 data, released April 2025
52%
Adults who made art
More than half of U.S. adults reported doing some form of art making in 2022.
July 2021 to July 2022 survey period, released October 2023
17%
Adults who visited a craft fair
Nationally, 17% of survey respondents visited a craft fair during the 2022 survey period.
July 2021 to July 2022 survey period, report published September 2024
53,400
Craft and fine artists
BLS lists 53,400 craft and fine artist jobs, with a 2025 median annual wage of $55,290.
2025 employment and wage data, page updated August 2026
4,300
Average annual openings
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 4,300 openings for craft and fine artists each year from 2025 to 2035.
2025 to 2035 projection, page updated August 2026
How to read these numbers
“Handmade” does not have one official economic category, so this page uses the closest reliable public measures: arts and cultural production, craft-fair participation, and the federal occupation category for craft and fine artists. These figures offer context, not a count of every independent maker or every handmade purchase.
The figures come from U.S. government sources and retain each source’s reporting period. Some describe 2023 economic activity, while participation findings reflect a 2022 survey. That distinction matters when comparing numbers.
Sources and methodology
Each figure above links directly to its source. The page is reviewed regularly so dates, definitions, and source links can stay clear for anyone using the data.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, 2023 data released April 2025.
- National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, 2022 survey findings released October 2023.
- National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation, published September 2024.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Craft and Fine Artists, page updated August 2026.
Cite this page
Theresa’s Trinkets. “Handmade and Craft Statistics.” Updated October 20, 2026. https://theresastrinkets24.org/craft-statistics