GITNUXREPORT 2026

Thanksgiving Statistics

Thanksgiving is a holiday where Americans feast on turkey and sides with loved ones.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

$12 billion total travel spending forecast

Statistic 2

$4.2 trillion economic output from Thanksgiving travel

Statistic 3

1.5 million jobs supported by holiday travel

Statistic 4

$30 billion spent on food for Thanksgiving

Statistic 5

$940 billion retail sales holiday season starts Thanksgiving

Statistic 6

166 million shop Black Friday post-Thanksgiving

Statistic 7

$9.8 billion online Black Friday sales

Statistic 8

$1 trillion in consumer spending November-December

Statistic 9

20% GDP boost from holiday retail

Statistic 10

$80 billion grocery sales Thanksgiving week

Statistic 11

3.5% unemployment drop due to holiday hires

Statistic 12

$5 billion turkey industry revenue

Statistic 13

50 million hours overtime holiday season

Statistic 14

$15 billion restaurant spending Thanksgiving

Statistic 15

2 million temp retail jobs created

Statistic 16

$3.3 billion credit card fees holidays

Statistic 17

10% inflation in turkey prices 2023

Statistic 18

$700 average family dinner cost for 10

Statistic 19

$25 billion decor and gifts spending

Statistic 20

4% economic growth Q4 due to holidays

Statistic 21

$2 billion flower industry boost

Statistic 22

1 million small businesses 30% revenue holidays

Statistic 23

$50 billion supply chain holiday rush

Statistic 24

15% rise in wine sales Thanksgiving week

Statistic 25

$1.1 billion craft beer sales

Statistic 26

5 million new bank accounts for bonuses

Statistic 27

$400 billion manufacturing holiday output

Statistic 28

25% e-commerce growth Black Friday

Statistic 29

$6 billion shipping costs

Statistic 30

8% wage increase holiday retail workers

Statistic 31

$20 billion agriculture holiday sales

Statistic 32

2.8 million tons freight holiday peak

Statistic 33

Americans consume about 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving

Statistic 34

88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving

Statistic 35

Over 3,000 tons of cranberries are consumed during Thanksgiving week

Statistic 36

Americans eat 50 million pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving

Statistic 37

705 million pounds of sweet potatoes are purchased for Thanksgiving

Statistic 38

41% of Americans prefer dark meat turkey

Statistic 39

4,500 calories are consumed per person on Thanksgiving Day

Statistic 40

2.2 billion pounds of turkey are produced annually in the US

Statistic 41

80% of Thanksgiving dinners include mashed potatoes

Statistic 42

300 million pounds of stuffing are consumed

Statistic 43

53.5 million turkeys are raised for Thanksgiving

Statistic 44

91% of Americans eat stuffing on Thanksgiving

Statistic 45

5 billion pounds of potatoes are eaten during holiday season

Statistic 46

20 pounds of turkey per person annually, peaking at Thanksgiving

Statistic 47

70% of pumpkin pie is consumed in November/December

Statistic 48

1.5 billion green bean casseroles served yearly

Statistic 49

25% of yams consumed in US are for Thanksgiving

Statistic 50

750 million rolls baked for Thanksgiving

Statistic 51

4 gallons of gravy per 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners

Statistic 52

2,000 pounds of butter used in average Thanksgiving meal for 10

Statistic 53

90% of Thanksgiving turkeys are farm-raised

Statistic 54

35 million pounds of Brussels sprouts eaten

Statistic 55

15 million pecan pies consumed

Statistic 56

500 million servings of Jell-O salad

Statistic 57

3.4 pounds of cheese per person holiday season

Statistic 58

80 million chocolate turkeys produced

Statistic 59

1 billion corn on the cob ears eaten

Statistic 60

40% increase in ham sales for Thanksgiving alternatives

Statistic 61

2.5 billion candy corn pieces for fall holidays

Statistic 62

6,000 gallons of eggnog consumed daily in November

Statistic 63

50 million turkeys deep-fried annually

Statistic 64

First Thanksgiving 1621 Plymouth Colony

Statistic 65

Thanksgiving declared national holiday 1863 by Lincoln

Statistic 66

Original feast 3 days with 90 Native Americans

Statistic 67

Turkey not main protein; venison and fowl eaten

Statistic 68

Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned 38 years for holiday

Statistic 69

FDR moved date to 4th Thursday 1939

Statistic 70

Congress fixed date 1941 last Thursday November

Statistic 71

52 million turkeys eaten 1940s post-war boom

Statistic 72

First parade 1924 by Macy's NYC

Statistic 73

Turkey pardon tradition since 1989 Bush Sr.

Statistic 74

1621 harvest festival no pumpkin pie (no ovens)

Statistic 75

5 kernels corn per pilgrim survival symbol

Statistic 76

National Day of Thanks first 1789 Washington

Statistic 77

90% survival rate after first winter improved

Statistic 78

Cranberries called crane berries by settlers

Statistic 79

Turkey domesticated 2000 years ago Mexico

Statistic 80

1920s balloon parades introduced

Statistic 81

WWII rationing affected turkey supplies

Statistic 82

1960s TV broadcasts popularized dinners

Statistic 83

Native squash first cultivated 5000 BC

Statistic 84

1863 proclamation after Gettysburg

Statistic 85

38 states celebrated before 1863

Statistic 86

Mayflower Compact 1620 self-governance

Statistic 87

102 passengers on Mayflower, 53 survived

Statistic 88

First corn harvest 20 acres 1621

Statistic 89

Turkey name from country Turkey confusion

Statistic 90

4th Thursday saves 1 week shopping season

Statistic 91

1600s pies savory not sweet

Statistic 92

50 million watched first televised parade 1940s

Statistic 93

Pilgrims ate eels and lobster too

Statistic 94

700 recipes in first cookbook 1796

Statistic 95

98-99% of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving

Statistic 96

74% cook entire meal at home

Statistic 97

40 million watch Macy's Parade

Statistic 98

45 million watch NFL Thanksgiving games

Statistic 99

80% give thanks prayer or moment

Statistic 100

69% have family dinner tradition

Statistic 101

50% play football after meal

Statistic 102

29% dine out or order takeout

Statistic 103

4.2 average guests per dinner

Statistic 104

87% use dining table not TV trays

Statistic 105

61% watch parades on TV

Statistic 106

25 million send Thanksgiving cards

Statistic 107

10% volunteer on Thanksgiving

Statistic 108

55% leftovers eaten next day

Statistic 109

3 days average visit length

Statistic 110

78% pumpkin pie most popular dessert

Statistic 111

46% go around table sharing thanks

Statistic 112

20 million dogs get turkey scraps

Statistic 113

12 million cats too

Statistic 114

65% decorate with fall leaves

Statistic 115

35% bake from scratch

Statistic 116

82% football on TV all day

Statistic 117

15% attend church service

Statistic 118

5% hunt turkey wild

Statistic 119

70% nap after meal traditional

Statistic 120

90% know turkey pardon event

Statistic 121

2.5 hours average meal prep time

Statistic 122

60% use paper plates for ease

Statistic 123

54 million Americans travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving

Statistic 124

48.3 million travelers in 2023 Thanksgiving forecast

Statistic 125

42.5 million by car, 3.6 million by air, 2.2 million other

Statistic 126

13.7 billion miles driven during Thanksgiving week

Statistic 127

55 million drive 50+ miles

Statistic 128

3 million fly domestically for Thanksgiving

Statistic 129

90% of Thanksgiving trips by car

Statistic 130

Average trip 214 miles one way

Statistic 131

1.2 million more air travelers than 2022

Statistic 132

2.3 million cruise passengers holiday season

Statistic 133

70% visit family or friends

Statistic 134

Gas prices average $3.25/gallon during Thanksgiving week

Statistic 135

40% increase in bus/train travel

Statistic 136

5 million RVers on road for holidays

Statistic 137

20% more airport security lines

Statistic 138

1 million pets travel with owners

Statistic 139

15 billion snacks consumed in transit

Statistic 140

25% of travelers book last minute

Statistic 141

300 million pounds of luggage checked

Statistic 142

10% rise in rideshare trips

Statistic 143

4 million international visitors for holidays

Statistic 144

50 states see travel influx, highest California 5M

Statistic 145

1.5 hours average delay per flight

Statistic 146

80% prefer driving over flying for short trips

Statistic 147

$1.2 billion spent on travel gas

Statistic 148

2 million hotel rooms booked

Statistic 149

30% increase in rental cars

Statistic 150

12 million cross state lines by car

Statistic 151

95% return home by Sunday

Statistic 152

6% use public transit

Statistic 153

1 billion road miles logged

Statistic 154

25 million women drive family

Statistic 155

40% travel to grandparents' homes

Statistic 156

$800 average family travel cost

Statistic 157

3.5 million fly out of top 10 airports

Statistic 158

70% pack leftovers for trip home

1/158

Sources

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The staggering feast of Thanksgiving is a truly American marathon of eating and travel, where 46 million turkeys meet their fate, 4,500 calories vanish per person, and millions crisscross the country in a collective, gravy-fueled migration home.

Key Takeaways

Americans consume about 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving
88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving
Over 3,000 tons of cranberries are consumed during Thanksgiving week
54 million Americans travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving
48.3 million travelers in 2023 Thanksgiving forecast
42.5 million by car, 3.6 million by air, 2.2 million other
$12 billion total travel spending forecast
$4.2 trillion economic output from Thanksgiving travel
1.5 million jobs supported by holiday travel
First Thanksgiving 1621 Plymouth Colony
Thanksgiving declared national holiday 1863 by Lincoln
Original feast 3 days with 90 Native Americans
98-99% of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving
74% cook entire meal at home
40 million watch Macy's Parade

Thanksgiving is a holiday where Americans feast on turkey and sides with loved ones.

Economic Impact

$12 billion total travel spending forecast
$4.2 trillion economic output from Thanksgiving travel
1.5 million jobs supported by holiday travel
$30 billion spent on food for Thanksgiving
$940 billion retail sales holiday season starts Thanksgiving
166 million shop Black Friday post-Thanksgiving
$9.8 billion online Black Friday sales
$1 trillion in consumer spending November-December
20% GDP boost from holiday retail
$80 billion grocery sales Thanksgiving week
3.5% unemployment drop due to holiday hires
$5 billion turkey industry revenue
50 million hours overtime holiday season
$15 billion restaurant spending Thanksgiving
2 million temp retail jobs created
$3.3 billion credit card fees holidays
10% inflation in turkey prices 2023
$700 average family dinner cost for 10
$25 billion decor and gifts spending
4% economic growth Q4 due to holidays
$2 billion flower industry boost
1 million small businesses 30% revenue holidays
$50 billion supply chain holiday rush
15% rise in wine sales Thanksgiving week
$1.1 billion craft beer sales
5 million new bank accounts for bonuses
$400 billion manufacturing holiday output
25% e-commerce growth Black Friday
$6 billion shipping costs
8% wage increase holiday retail workers
$20 billion agriculture holiday sales
2.8 million tons freight holiday peak

Economic Impact Interpretation

While some may dismiss Thanksgiving as a mere feast, these figures reveal it to be the annual economic starter pistol, launching a frenzied sprint of spending, shipping, and seasonal hiring that propels nearly every sector of the economy in a multitrillion-dollar, turkey-fueled dash toward the new year.

Food Consumption

Americans consume about 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving
88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving
Over 3,000 tons of cranberries are consumed during Thanksgiving week
Americans eat 50 million pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving
705 million pounds of sweet potatoes are purchased for Thanksgiving
41% of Americans prefer dark meat turkey
4,500 calories are consumed per person on Thanksgiving Day
2.2 billion pounds of turkey are produced annually in the US
80% of Thanksgiving dinners include mashed potatoes
300 million pounds of stuffing are consumed
53.5 million turkeys are raised for Thanksgiving
91% of Americans eat stuffing on Thanksgiving
5 billion pounds of potatoes are eaten during holiday season
20 pounds of turkey per person annually, peaking at Thanksgiving
70% of pumpkin pie is consumed in November/December
1.5 billion green bean casseroles served yearly
25% of yams consumed in US are for Thanksgiving
750 million rolls baked for Thanksgiving
4 gallons of gravy per 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners
2,000 pounds of butter used in average Thanksgiving meal for 10
90% of Thanksgiving turkeys are farm-raised
35 million pounds of Brussels sprouts eaten
15 million pecan pies consumed
500 million servings of Jell-O salad
3.4 pounds of cheese per person holiday season
80 million chocolate turkeys produced
1 billion corn on the cob ears eaten
40% increase in ham sales for Thanksgiving alternatives
2.5 billion candy corn pieces for fall holidays
6,000 gallons of eggnog consumed daily in November
50 million turkeys deep-fried annually

Food Consumption Interpretation

This annual pilgrimage from turkey to tryptophan is a statistical feast where we collectively, and quite deliberately, turn our national bounty into a comma.

History

First Thanksgiving 1621 Plymouth Colony
Thanksgiving declared national holiday 1863 by Lincoln
Original feast 3 days with 90 Native Americans
Turkey not main protein; venison and fowl eaten
Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned 38 years for holiday
FDR moved date to 4th Thursday 1939
Congress fixed date 1941 last Thursday November
52 million turkeys eaten 1940s post-war boom
First parade 1924 by Macy's NYC
Turkey pardon tradition since 1989 Bush Sr.
1621 harvest festival no pumpkin pie (no ovens)
5 kernels corn per pilgrim survival symbol
National Day of Thanks first 1789 Washington
90% survival rate after first winter improved
Cranberries called crane berries by settlers
Turkey domesticated 2000 years ago Mexico
1920s balloon parades introduced
WWII rationing affected turkey supplies
1960s TV broadcasts popularized dinners
Native squash first cultivated 5000 BC
1863 proclamation after Gettysburg
38 states celebrated before 1863
Mayflower Compact 1620 self-governance
102 passengers on Mayflower, 53 survived
First corn harvest 20 acres 1621
Turkey name from country Turkey confusion
4th Thursday saves 1 week shopping season
1600s pies savory not sweet
50 million watched first televised parade 1940s
Pilgrims ate eels and lobster too
700 recipes in first cookbook 1796

History Interpretation

Despite its modern pageantry of pardoned poultry and televised parades, Thanksgiving's true spirit lies in its surprisingly gritty evolution—from a three-day feast without pumpkin pie to a national holiday forged by 38 years of campaigning—reminding us that gratitude, much like the turkey itself, is a domesticated concept we've spent centuries carefully stuffing with our own interpretations of survival, celebration, and occasionally, eels.

Traditions

98-99% of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving
74% cook entire meal at home
40 million watch Macy's Parade
45 million watch NFL Thanksgiving games
80% give thanks prayer or moment
69% have family dinner tradition
50% play football after meal
29% dine out or order takeout
4.2 average guests per dinner
87% use dining table not TV trays
61% watch parades on TV
25 million send Thanksgiving cards
10% volunteer on Thanksgiving
55% leftovers eaten next day
3 days average visit length
78% pumpkin pie most popular dessert
46% go around table sharing thanks
20 million dogs get turkey scraps
12 million cats too
65% decorate with fall leaves
35% bake from scratch
82% football on TV all day
15% attend church service
5% hunt turkey wild
70% nap after meal traditional
90% know turkey pardon event
2.5 hours average meal prep time
60% use paper plates for ease

Traditions Interpretation

While 78% of Americans doggedly defend the dining table against TV trays and 46% formally share what they're thankful for, the true national tradition is a synchronized, turkey-induced nap after 50% play football and 82% keep the game on as a three-day backdrop to eating 55% of the meal again as leftovers.

Travel

54 million Americans travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving
48.3 million travelers in 2023 Thanksgiving forecast
42.5 million by car, 3.6 million by air, 2.2 million other
13.7 billion miles driven during Thanksgiving week
55 million drive 50+ miles
3 million fly domestically for Thanksgiving
90% of Thanksgiving trips by car
Average trip 214 miles one way
1.2 million more air travelers than 2022
2.3 million cruise passengers holiday season
70% visit family or friends
Gas prices average $3.25/gallon during Thanksgiving week
40% increase in bus/train travel
5 million RVers on road for holidays
20% more airport security lines
1 million pets travel with owners
15 billion snacks consumed in transit
25% of travelers book last minute
300 million pounds of luggage checked
10% rise in rideshare trips
4 million international visitors for holidays
50 states see travel influx, highest California 5M
1.5 hours average delay per flight
80% prefer driving over flying for short trips
$1.2 billion spent on travel gas
2 million hotel rooms booked
30% increase in rental cars
12 million cross state lines by car
95% return home by Sunday
6% use public transit
1 billion road miles logged
25 million women drive family
40% travel to grandparents' homes
$800 average family travel cost
3.5 million fly out of top 10 airports
70% pack leftovers for trip home

Travel Interpretation

While we collectively log over a billion road miles in a pilgrim-like migration to feast with family, the true American Thanksgiving statistic is that 70% of us, in a profound act of both love and practicality, pack our leftovers for the journey home.

Sources & References

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