What Is the Average Age of an RV Owner

What Is the Average Age of an RV Owner? 2023 Answer

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Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Jessica Lauren Vine

If you are wondering, “What is the average age of an RV owner?” it might be a little different than what you think.

Stereotypical RVers

What is the average age of an RV owner? Once upon a time, RV owners used to fit into a stereotype. If you have watched nostalgic television, this stereotype appears on the screen. Bill, cracking some joke about the weather in his khaki shorts and long white socks, steps down from a 1985 Winnebago, followed by his wife, Susie.

While laughing at Bill’s joke, Susie pins her windblown hair into a scarf and rests her larger-than-life sunglasses on her nose. These two are ready to enjoy every minute of the retirement life they earned! Not far behind these two in the distance, a rodeo brings in a long line of campers. Cowboy Chet takes a minute to check on his truck camper before heading off to find some supper.  

Why Retirees and Rodeos? 

Retirees and traveling entertainers made up many RV owners, with occasional family vacations adding to the numbers. Retirees were the only ones deemed capable of affording the RV lifestyle, while RV and easy-set-up campers were the perfect solutions for traveling entertainers. 

A Shift of Change

The RV Industry Association is the leading source of data for RV demographic information. They conducted a thorough study in 2021 and found these stereotypes no longer exist. The age for ownership of RVs is “split almost equally between those over and under the age of 55.” However, the most astounding part of this study found that 65% of all FULL-time RV owners are under 55! 

RV Lifestyle Boom

Over the last 40 years, the RV lifestyle boomed. In the late 90s and early 2000s, more family features like foldaway bunk beds were added to RVs, making full-time RVing a reality for more families. In addition, many families discovered the benefits of downsizing and going on the road full-time. Instagram and Pinterest lead the way in storytelling and taking to the road full time in an RV. Here at RV Idiots, we have several of our own stories to tell about full timing! 

Millennials RVers

During the COVID pandemic of 2020, Outdoorsy posted an interesting RV travel report. Their rental numbers grew substantially during that year! More families were renting RVs to vacation since other destinations were closed. Millennial RVers are steadily on the rise. As an older millennial myself, many in our generation value simplicity, connection, and experiences. We want to explore the world and introduce our families to adventure. It’s no wonder then that the RV Industry Association survey found that 18-34-year-olds make up 22% of all RV ownership. 

What Is the Average Age of an RV Owner? – Say Goodbye to the Stereotype

No longer does the stereotype from the nostalgic TV shows fit. The data is in. RVers range in age from Gen Z to Boomers. In 2021, the median age of a brand-new RV owner was 41. It will be interesting to keep watching These statistics as they are likely to change. In 2022, we have a new generation of kiddos raised in RVs! 

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