GITNUXREPORT 2025

Community Garden Statistics

Community gardens boost health, environment, economy, and community resilience nationwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Over 18 million Americans participate in community gardening annually

Statistic 2

About 56% of community gardeners grow vegetables, making them the most common crop

Statistic 3

Urban farms and community gardens contribute to a 15% reduction in neighborhood crime rates

Statistic 4

In a survey, 65% of community gardeners reported increased physical activity

Statistic 5

Over 40% of community gardens operate as nonprofit organizations

Statistic 6

80% of community gardeners participate for recreation and leisure

Statistic 7

Over 50% of community gardens receive funding from local government or municipal programs

Statistic 8

77% of community gardeners report learning new skills related to horticulture

Statistic 9

Community gardens support mental health, with 75% of participants reporting reduced stress levels

Statistic 10

Community gardens have been shown to improve social cohesion, with 85% of participants reporting increased neighborhood interaction

Statistic 11

The global community gardening movement has grown by an estimated 35% over the past five years

Statistic 12

Community gardening reduces stress and improves mental wellbeing, with 78% of participants reporting better mood and relaxation

Statistic 13

About 55% of community gardens grow herbs, mainly for culinary and medicinal purposes

Statistic 14

Community gardens help foster community identity, with 72% of participants feeling a stronger sense of belonging

Statistic 15

Urban community gardens have been linked to increased physical activity levels by up to 30%

Statistic 16

The median size of a community garden plot is approximately 200 square feet, suitable for urban settings

Statistic 17

70% of community gardens operate seasonally, primarily from early spring to late fall, depending on climate

Statistic 18

Nearly 70% of community gardeners are women

Statistic 19

Approximately 65% of community garden volunteers are under 40 years old

Statistic 20

Over 25% of community gardeners are seniors (aged 60+), benefiting from increased social interaction and physical activity

Statistic 21

Community gardens increase neighborhood property values by an average of 5-8%

Statistic 22

Community gardens contribute to local economies, generating over $1.5 billion annually through sales of produce

Statistic 23

Community gardens often serve as educational spaces, with over 80% offering horticulture and sustainability workshops

Statistic 24

Community gardens can increase local temperatures by up to 2°C compared to surrounding areas

Statistic 25

Community gardens promote biodiversity by supporting over 250 species of native plants and pollinators

Statistic 26

Community gardens can reduce neighborhood heat islands by up to 25%

Statistic 27

Community gardens help divert approximately 30% of organic waste from landfill

Statistic 28

Urban community gardens can sequester up to 1.2 tons of CO2 per acre annually

Statistic 29

Growers in community gardens tend to use fewer pesticides, with 75% practicing organic methods

Statistic 30

Urban community gardens can contribute to cooling city temperatures by 1-2°C during peak summer months

Statistic 31

Community gardens often reduce stormwater runoff by increasing permeable surfaces, with reductions of up to 20%

Statistic 32

Community gardens can improve urban air quality by filtering pollutants and increasing oxygen levels, contributing to healthier environments

Statistic 33

Community gardens can lead to reduced food waste, with up to 35% of produce consumed locally, reducing spoilage and transportation emissions

Statistic 34

Nearly 90% of community gardens are located on land that was previously vacant or unused, transforming blighted areas

Statistic 35

Community gardens contribute to soil health through composting and organic practices, increasing soil carbon levels by an average of 15%

Statistic 36

Community gardens increase bird and pollinator habitats, supporting over 100 native species

Statistic 37

Urban community gardens reduce household food costs by an average of $600 annually

Statistic 38

Community gardens provide food for over 20 million people annually in the US

Statistic 39

Community gardens help reduce food deserts in urban areas by providing access to fresh produce within 1 mile

Statistic 40

Nearly 90% of community garden participants believe they have improved their diet quality

Statistic 41

In low-income neighborhoods, community gardens can increase access to nutritious food by up to 50%

Statistic 42

About 60% of community garden plots are allocated to growing vegetables, mainly tomatoes and lettuce

Statistic 43

Children participating in community gardening programs show a 20% increase in fruit and vegetable consumption

Statistic 44

Community gardens are particularly effective in improving food security among vulnerable populations, with up to 65% reporting better access to fresh produce

Statistic 45

In a study, 68% of community gardeners reported increased vegetable intake, contributing to healthier diets

Statistic 46

Community gardening programs help build resilience against food supply disruptions during crises, with 65% of participants reporting increased food independence

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Key Highlights

Over 18 million Americans participate in community gardening annually
Community gardens can increase local temperatures by up to 2°C compared to surrounding areas
Urban community gardens reduce household food costs by an average of $600 annually
Nearly 70% of community gardeners are women
Community gardens provide food for over 20 million people annually in the US
About 56% of community gardeners grow vegetables, making them the most common crop
Urban farms and community gardens contribute to a 15% reduction in neighborhood crime rates
Community gardens promote biodiversity by supporting over 250 species of native plants and pollinators
Community gardens can reduce neighborhood heat islands by up to 25%
In a survey, 65% of community gardeners reported increased physical activity
Over 40% of community gardens operate as nonprofit organizations
80% of community gardeners participate for recreation and leisure
Community gardens help reduce food deserts in urban areas by providing access to fresh produce within 1 mile

Did you know that over 18 million Americans participate in community gardening each year, turning vacant urban spaces into vibrant hubs that boost local health, economy, and the environment?

Community Engagement and Social Impact

Over 18 million Americans participate in community gardening annually
About 56% of community gardeners grow vegetables, making them the most common crop
Urban farms and community gardens contribute to a 15% reduction in neighborhood crime rates
In a survey, 65% of community gardeners reported increased physical activity
Over 40% of community gardens operate as nonprofit organizations
80% of community gardeners participate for recreation and leisure
Over 50% of community gardens receive funding from local government or municipal programs
77% of community gardeners report learning new skills related to horticulture
Community gardens support mental health, with 75% of participants reporting reduced stress levels
Community gardens have been shown to improve social cohesion, with 85% of participants reporting increased neighborhood interaction
The global community gardening movement has grown by an estimated 35% over the past five years
Community gardening reduces stress and improves mental wellbeing, with 78% of participants reporting better mood and relaxation
About 55% of community gardens grow herbs, mainly for culinary and medicinal purposes
Community gardens help foster community identity, with 72% of participants feeling a stronger sense of belonging
Urban community gardens have been linked to increased physical activity levels by up to 30%
The median size of a community garden plot is approximately 200 square feet, suitable for urban settings
70% of community gardens operate seasonally, primarily from early spring to late fall, depending on climate

Community Engagement and Social Impact Interpretation

With over 18 million Americans cultivating 200 square feet of joy and vegetables—primarily in urban plots—community gardens are not only sprouting herbs and skills but also planting stronger neighborhoods, reducing crime, and boosting mental and physical well-being, all while growing a global movement that’s bloomed 35% in recent years.

Demographics and Participation Trends

Nearly 70% of community gardeners are women
Approximately 65% of community garden volunteers are under 40 years old
Over 25% of community gardeners are seniors (aged 60+), benefiting from increased social interaction and physical activity

Demographics and Participation Trends Interpretation

These statistics reveal that community gardening is a vibrant tapestry woven from the strength of women, the vitality of youth, and the wisdom of seniors—showcasing a diverse coalition nurturing both the earth and community well-being.

Economic and Educational Contributions

Community gardens increase neighborhood property values by an average of 5-8%
Community gardens contribute to local economies, generating over $1.5 billion annually through sales of produce
Community gardens often serve as educational spaces, with over 80% offering horticulture and sustainability workshops

Economic and Educational Contributions Interpretation

Community gardens, thriving as urban oases, not only boost property values and inject over a billion dollars into local economies but also cultivate future generations of eco-conscious citizens through widespread educational programs.

Environmental Benefits and Urban Ecology

Community gardens can increase local temperatures by up to 2°C compared to surrounding areas
Community gardens promote biodiversity by supporting over 250 species of native plants and pollinators
Community gardens can reduce neighborhood heat islands by up to 25%
Community gardens help divert approximately 30% of organic waste from landfill
Urban community gardens can sequester up to 1.2 tons of CO2 per acre annually
Growers in community gardens tend to use fewer pesticides, with 75% practicing organic methods
Urban community gardens can contribute to cooling city temperatures by 1-2°C during peak summer months
Community gardens often reduce stormwater runoff by increasing permeable surfaces, with reductions of up to 20%
Community gardens can improve urban air quality by filtering pollutants and increasing oxygen levels, contributing to healthier environments
Community gardens can lead to reduced food waste, with up to 35% of produce consumed locally, reducing spoilage and transportation emissions
Nearly 90% of community gardens are located on land that was previously vacant or unused, transforming blighted areas
Community gardens contribute to soil health through composting and organic practices, increasing soil carbon levels by an average of 15%
Community gardens increase bird and pollinator habitats, supporting over 100 native species

Environmental Benefits and Urban Ecology Interpretation

While community gardens transform neglected plots into biodiversity havens, reduce urban heat by up to 2°C, and sequester CO2, their true power lies in quietly cooling our cities and nurturing sustainable ecosystems—proof that even small patches of green can have a big impact.

Food Security and Nutrition

Urban community gardens reduce household food costs by an average of $600 annually
Community gardens provide food for over 20 million people annually in the US
Community gardens help reduce food deserts in urban areas by providing access to fresh produce within 1 mile
Nearly 90% of community garden participants believe they have improved their diet quality
In low-income neighborhoods, community gardens can increase access to nutritious food by up to 50%
About 60% of community garden plots are allocated to growing vegetables, mainly tomatoes and lettuce
Children participating in community gardening programs show a 20% increase in fruit and vegetable consumption
Community gardens are particularly effective in improving food security among vulnerable populations, with up to 65% reporting better access to fresh produce
In a study, 68% of community gardeners reported increased vegetable intake, contributing to healthier diets
Community gardening programs help build resilience against food supply disruptions during crises, with 65% of participants reporting increased food independence

Food Security and Nutrition Interpretation

Community gardens are championing urban food resilience and health, slashing household costs, bridging food deserts, and nurturing dietary improvements—proving that tending to a small plot can cultivate big change.