Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.5bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Attendance has been on an accelerating path to recovery
- Historic sites primarily rely on in-person revenue streams like admission fees, memberships and concessions, which faced significant upheaval because of the pandemic. Under social distancing guidelines, many sites ceased or limited operations, leading to drastic revenue declines in 2020. The dip in consumer leisure travel, driven by safety concerns and rising economic uncertainty, compounded these losses. While economic conditions began to improve in 2021 as vaccines became widely available, attendance levels in 2024 remain below pre-pandemic norms.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Historic sites are endangered without ongoing preservation efforts
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places highlights endangered sites that face threats from modern development pressures. For 2024, New Salem Baptist Church in Tams, West Virginia, and Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, are just some of the sites featured in order to raise awareness and funding. The National Trust's efforts raise public consciousness about the value of these sites, fostering support for their protection.
Biggest companies in the Historic Sites in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
National Trust for Historic Preservation | 151.8 | 6.4 | 4.2 | |
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation | 129.6 | 4.3 | 3.3 | |
National Park Service | 125.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Donations, grants and endowments, Admissions and membership services and Merchandise. Donations, grants and endowments is the largest segment of the Historic Sites in the US.
Trends and Insights
Nonprofit organizations rely on government funding and donations
- Historic sites rely on government funding and donations for the preservation of their exhibits and facilities. These financial supports come from private donors, government grants, and endowments, enabling ongoing conservation efforts.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Enterprises preserve and exhibit sites, buildings, forts or communities that describe events or people of historical interest. These venues include archeological sites, battlefields, historical ships and pioneer villages. Historic sites may partner with government organizations and receive public funding, gather revenue by charging admission and providing additional services or combine the two.
What's included in this industry?
Accepting donations, grants and endowmentsAdmissions and membership servicesSelling merchandiseSelling food and beveragesManaging other exhibits, programs and servicesCompanies
National Trust for Historic PreservationThe Colonial Williamsburg FoundationNational Park ServicePurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES (NRHP)PRE-COLUMBIANSPANISH MISSIONIndustry Code
NAICS 71212 - Historic Sites in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Historic sites are making a comeback in visitor numbers. Many people flock to large, popular landmarks, but mid-sized to large sites still see smaller visitation figures.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
High-income families are a vital demographic for historic sites. Their substantial spending on tourism, admissions, gifts and hospitality fuels revenue, underscoring the need...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The geographic distribution of establishments in the Historic Sites industry has remained stable. Although new sites continue to be formally registered, the largest and most ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Operators of large historical sites have an already established reputation. They often remain prominent in the industry for long stretches, giving them an advantage against n...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private company with an estimated 669 employees. It accounts for an estimated 7.8% of the historic sites industry's revenue.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of National Trust for Historic Preservation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of National Park Service's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for National Trust for Historic Preservation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for National Park Service, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
There has been an influx of non-US residents visiting the United States and residents travelling domestically. This grows attendance at industry establishments since more tou...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Historic sites are revving up preservation efforts, but it's costing them. The push for authenticity and enhanced visitor experiences is driving up purchase costs thanks to p...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
- Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
- Income Statement (2018-2023)
- Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States in 2025?
The market size of the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States is $1.5bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Historic Sites in the US industry in 2025?
There are 1,276 businesses in the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Historic Sites in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Historic Sites market in United States are National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and National Park Service
What does the Historic Sites in the US in United States include?
Accepting donations, grants and endowments and Admissions and membership services are part of the Historic Sites in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Historic Sites in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is National Trust for Historic Preservation.
How competitive is the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is low and increasing in the Historic Sites in the US industry in United States.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Complementors
View all industries in United States
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
