GITNUXREPORT 2026

Thanksgiving Statistics

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

How We Build This Report

01
Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02
Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03
AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04
Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Key Statistics

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

Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
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

1$12 billion total travel spending forecast
Verified
2$4.2 trillion economic output from Thanksgiving travel
Verified
31.5 million jobs supported by holiday travel
Verified
4$30 billion spent on food for Thanksgiving
Directional
5$940 billion retail sales holiday season starts Thanksgiving
Single source
6166 million shop Black Friday post-Thanksgiving
Verified
7$9.8 billion online Black Friday sales
Verified
8$1 trillion in consumer spending November-December
Verified
920% GDP boost from holiday retail
Directional
10$80 billion grocery sales Thanksgiving week
Single source
113.5% unemployment drop due to holiday hires
Verified
12$5 billion turkey industry revenue
Verified
1350 million hours overtime holiday season
Verified
14$15 billion restaurant spending Thanksgiving
Directional
152 million temp retail jobs created
Single source
16$3.3 billion credit card fees holidays
Verified
1710% inflation in turkey prices 2023
Verified
18$700 average family dinner cost for 10
Verified
19$25 billion decor and gifts spending
Directional
204% economic growth Q4 due to holidays
Single source
21$2 billion flower industry boost
Verified
221 million small businesses 30% revenue holidays
Verified
23$50 billion supply chain holiday rush
Verified
2415% rise in wine sales Thanksgiving week
Directional
25$1.1 billion craft beer sales
Single source
265 million new bank accounts for bonuses
Verified
27$400 billion manufacturing holiday output
Verified
2825% e-commerce growth Black Friday
Verified
29$6 billion shipping costs
Directional
308% wage increase holiday retail workers
Single source
31$20 billion agriculture holiday sales
Verified
322.8 million tons freight holiday peak
Verified

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

1Americans consume about 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving
Verified
288% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving
Verified
3Over 3,000 tons of cranberries are consumed during Thanksgiving week
Verified
4Americans eat 50 million pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving
Directional
5705 million pounds of sweet potatoes are purchased for Thanksgiving
Single source
641% of Americans prefer dark meat turkey
Verified
74,500 calories are consumed per person on Thanksgiving Day
Verified
82.2 billion pounds of turkey are produced annually in the US
Verified
980% of Thanksgiving dinners include mashed potatoes
Directional
10300 million pounds of stuffing are consumed
Single source
1153.5 million turkeys are raised for Thanksgiving
Verified
1291% of Americans eat stuffing on Thanksgiving
Verified
135 billion pounds of potatoes are eaten during holiday season
Verified
1420 pounds of turkey per person annually, peaking at Thanksgiving
Directional
1570% of pumpkin pie is consumed in November/December
Single source
161.5 billion green bean casseroles served yearly
Verified
1725% of yams consumed in US are for Thanksgiving
Verified
18750 million rolls baked for Thanksgiving
Verified
194 gallons of gravy per 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners
Directional
202,000 pounds of butter used in average Thanksgiving meal for 10
Single source
2190% of Thanksgiving turkeys are farm-raised
Verified
2235 million pounds of Brussels sprouts eaten
Verified
2315 million pecan pies consumed
Verified
24500 million servings of Jell-O salad
Directional
253.4 pounds of cheese per person holiday season
Single source
2680 million chocolate turkeys produced
Verified
271 billion corn on the cob ears eaten
Verified
2840% increase in ham sales for Thanksgiving alternatives
Verified
292.5 billion candy corn pieces for fall holidays
Directional
306,000 gallons of eggnog consumed daily in November
Single source
3150 million turkeys deep-fried annually
Verified

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

1First Thanksgiving 1621 Plymouth Colony
Verified
2Thanksgiving declared national holiday 1863 by Lincoln
Verified
3Original feast 3 days with 90 Native Americans
Verified
4Turkey not main protein; venison and fowl eaten
Directional
5Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned 38 years for holiday
Single source
6FDR moved date to 4th Thursday 1939
Verified
7Congress fixed date 1941 last Thursday November
Verified
852 million turkeys eaten 1940s post-war boom
Verified
9First parade 1924 by Macy's NYC
Directional
10Turkey pardon tradition since 1989 Bush Sr.
Single source
111621 harvest festival no pumpkin pie (no ovens)
Verified
125 kernels corn per pilgrim survival symbol
Verified
13National Day of Thanks first 1789 Washington
Verified
1490% survival rate after first winter improved
Directional
15Cranberries called crane berries by settlers
Single source
16Turkey domesticated 2000 years ago Mexico
Verified
171920s balloon parades introduced
Verified
18WWII rationing affected turkey supplies
Verified
191960s TV broadcasts popularized dinners
Directional
20Native squash first cultivated 5000 BC
Single source
211863 proclamation after Gettysburg
Verified
2238 states celebrated before 1863
Verified
23Mayflower Compact 1620 self-governance
Verified
24102 passengers on Mayflower, 53 survived
Directional
25First corn harvest 20 acres 1621
Single source
26Turkey name from country Turkey confusion
Verified
274th Thursday saves 1 week shopping season
Verified
281600s pies savory not sweet
Verified
2950 million watched first televised parade 1940s
Directional
30Pilgrims ate eels and lobster too
Single source
31700 recipes in first cookbook 1796
Verified

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

198-99% of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving
Verified
274% cook entire meal at home
Verified
340 million watch Macy's Parade
Verified
445 million watch NFL Thanksgiving games
Directional
580% give thanks prayer or moment
Single source
669% have family dinner tradition
Verified
750% play football after meal
Verified
829% dine out or order takeout
Verified
94.2 average guests per dinner
Directional
1087% use dining table not TV trays
Single source
1161% watch parades on TV
Verified
1225 million send Thanksgiving cards
Verified
1310% volunteer on Thanksgiving
Verified
1455% leftovers eaten next day
Directional
153 days average visit length
Single source
1678% pumpkin pie most popular dessert
Verified
1746% go around table sharing thanks
Verified
1820 million dogs get turkey scraps
Verified
1912 million cats too
Directional
2065% decorate with fall leaves
Single source
2135% bake from scratch
Verified
2282% football on TV all day
Verified
2315% attend church service
Verified
245% hunt turkey wild
Directional
2570% nap after meal traditional
Single source
2690% know turkey pardon event
Verified
272.5 hours average meal prep time
Verified
2860% use paper plates for ease
Verified

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

154 million Americans travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving
Verified
248.3 million travelers in 2023 Thanksgiving forecast
Verified
342.5 million by car, 3.6 million by air, 2.2 million other
Verified
413.7 billion miles driven during Thanksgiving week
Directional
555 million drive 50+ miles
Single source
63 million fly domestically for Thanksgiving
Verified
790% of Thanksgiving trips by car
Verified
8Average trip 214 miles one way
Verified
91.2 million more air travelers than 2022
Directional
102.3 million cruise passengers holiday season
Single source
1170% visit family or friends
Verified
12Gas prices average $3.25/gallon during Thanksgiving week
Verified
1340% increase in bus/train travel
Verified
145 million RVers on road for holidays
Directional
1520% more airport security lines
Single source
161 million pets travel with owners
Verified
1715 billion snacks consumed in transit
Verified
1825% of travelers book last minute
Verified
19300 million pounds of luggage checked
Directional
2010% rise in rideshare trips
Single source
214 million international visitors for holidays
Verified
2250 states see travel influx, highest California 5M
Verified
231.5 hours average delay per flight
Verified
2480% prefer driving over flying for short trips
Directional
25$1.2 billion spent on travel gas
Single source
262 million hotel rooms booked
Verified
2730% increase in rental cars
Verified
2812 million cross state lines by car
Verified
2995% return home by Sunday
Directional
306% use public transit
Single source
311 billion road miles logged
Verified
3225 million women drive family
Verified
3340% travel to grandparents' homes
Verified
34$800 average family travel cost
Directional
353.5 million fly out of top 10 airports
Single source
3670% pack leftovers for trip home
Verified

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