Dec 1, 2024 - News
North Carolina's great outdoor economy
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Outdoor activities — everything from bicycling, boating, hiking, hunting and fishing — add billions to North Carolina's economy every year.
Why it matters: North Carolina's favorable climate is often cited as a reason the state is such an attractive place to live.
- The climate — coupled with the fact that North Carolina boasts mountains, beaches, lakes and major parks and forests — enables a range of outdoor activities to flourish year-round.
By the numbers: Outdoor activities contributed $16.2 billion to North Carolina's economy in 2023, up from $9.1 billion in 2012, according to figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
- Over that time, the share of North Carolina's GDP from outdoor recreation remained flat at around 2%. Nationally, the outdoor economy accounts for 2.3% of the overall GDP.
The big picture: North Carolina invests heavily in its outdoor economy, from the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte to bustling parks in metros like Raleigh and Charlotte.
- The western part is a destination for trout fishing as well as skiing. You can experience top-notch boating and water activities throughout state lakes as well as along its coast.