Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver for Wisconsin.
From tourism to manufacturing to retailers and outfitters, it is a job-supporting industry that provides the quality of life Wisconsin residents enjoy. Each year, the
Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis measures the economic activity of outdoor recreation across the nation and for each state.
Key Findings
- $12 billion contributed to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP)
- 3.8% growth year over year
- 100,139 jobs across diverse sectors
- 3.2% share of all state employment
- $5.7 billion in compensation provided to Wisconsinites
Reports and Other Resources
In 2024, the Office of Outdoor Recreation launched the
Do-It-Yourself Economic Impact Program, providing communities and recreation destinations with tools and guidance to measure the local economic impact of their outdoor recreation assets. Since then, ten teams have completed the program, measuring more than $75 million in local economic activity generated by outdoor recreation.
Read the Reports:
The Office has published two comprehensive economic reports that detail the impacts of Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry. Both were produced by Headwaters Economics, a leading independent, bipartisan and nonprofit research firm.
Read the full economic data and impact report for more details on the outdoor industry's contributions to Wisconsin in 2021 and how the Office of Outdoor Recreation works to support this vital industry.
In 2020, the Office released a first-of-its-kind report that provided a comprehensive review of the economic impact of outdoor recreation industry in Wisconsin. Several studies included in the report showed the effects of outdoor recreation are significant drivers of local economies, too.
Read the full 2020 report.
See how we've grown.