Published Mar 14, 2024 · Updated Sep 28, 2026
The Statue of Liberty, an iconic symbol of freedom, consistently attracts millions of visitors each year.
Statue of Liberty statistics at a glance
- 3.54 million people visited the Statue of Liberty in 2025, 4.9% fewer than in 20241.
- That is about 9,700 visitors a day on average1.
- July is the busiest month: 495,830 people visited in July 20252.
- The record is 5.51 million visitors, set in 20001.
- Visitors spent $262 million in the local economy in 20243.
- From January to August 2026, visits were down 16.3% on the same months of 20252.
How many tourists visit the Statue of Liberty each year?
The Statue of Liberty welcomed over 5 million visitors annually between 1998 and 2000, peaking at 5.51 million in the year 20001.
In recent years, the average annual visitation has stayed between 3 million and 4 million people1.
- In 2016, the Statue of Liberty saw 4.5 million visitors, but this number gradually decreased to 4.2 million by 20191.
- The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp drop in visits, with only approximately 576,396 people visiting1.
- Visitor numbers began to recover in 2021, rising to 1.56 million1. This positive trend continued in 2022 and 2023, with 3.14 million and 3.74 million visitors, respectively. Despite this recovery, visitation still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels.
- Visitor volume slightly decreased compared to the previous year, reaching 3.72 million in 2024, and fell again to 3.54 million in 20251.

How many people visited the Statue of Liberty in 2026 so far?
| Month | 2026 visitors | 2025 visitors | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 116,936 | 143,368 | −18.4% |
| February | 107,123 | 120,124 | −10.8% |
| March | 196,281 | 241,472 | −18.7% |
| April | 273,183 | 343,530 | −20.5% |
| May | 295,247 | 337,925 | −12.6% |
| June | 334,224 | 392,017 | −14.7% |
| July | 407,685 | 495,830 | −17.8% |
| August | 391,874 | 462,838 | −15.3% |
| January–August total | 2,122,553 | 2,537,104 | −16.3% |
Source · National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics. 2026 figures are preliminary.
How many people visited the Statue of Liberty in 2025?
- In 2025, the Statue of Liberty welcomed 3.54 million visitors.1
- This marked a 4.9% decrease when compared to 20241, and visitation remains below the pre-pandemic level of 2019.
How many tourists visit the Statue of Liberty each day?
On average, the Statue of Liberty receives approximately 9,700 visitors per day1.
- This number varies depending on the time of year, with peak tourist seasons seeing higher daily counts. The statue is one of the most visited attractions in New York City, and these daily visitors include both domestic and international tourists.
How does the Statue of Liberty compare with America's national parks?
With 3.54 million visitors in 20251, the Statue of Liberty drew more people than all but nine of America's national parks4.
- It had more visitors than Glacier National Park (3.14 million) and nearly as many as Olympic National Park (3.58 million)4.
- Great Smoky Mountains, the most visited national park, recorded 11.53 million visits, more than three times as many4.
- The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, drew 7.74 million visits, about twice as many as the Statue of Liberty4.
How much do tourists spend when visiting the Statue of Liberty every year?
Tourists spend between $207 million and $262 million a year (2022–2024) when visiting the Statue of Liberty3.
- Before the pandemic, tourist spending at the Statue of Liberty remained steady at approximately $250 million per year5.
- In 2020, as visitor numbers dropped due to the pandemic, spending decreased significantly to $34.5 million6.
- With the return of tourism in 2021, spending rose to $101.3 million7. This upward trend continued in 2022, with spending reaching approximately $207.4 million8.
- Visitor spending further increased to $250 million in 20239 and $262 million in 20243.

How much money does the Statue of Liberty make?
- Visitors to the Statue of Liberty contributed $262 million to the local economy in 20243, an increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year5.
How do visitors spend their money on the Statue of Liberty?
- In 2024, Statue of Liberty visitors spent most in lodging, at $83.7 million.5
- Visitors spent $63.7 million and $30.1 million in restaurants and gas, respectively5.
- Retail and recreation spending accounted for $28.1 million and $24 million, respectively5.
Other sectors include groceries ($15.1 million), transportation ($9.5 million) and camping ($7.7 million)5.

Where do visitors to the Statue of Liberty come from?
The Statue of Liberty continues to be a major attraction for both domestic and international tourists visiting New York City.

Impact of Coronavirus – Statue of Liberty Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- In 2020, the global pandemic led to a fall in tourism, with visitor numbers decreasing to 576,396 and spending dropping to $34.5 million6. This represented an 86% decrease from the previous year’s visits and spending levels5.
- The following year, in 2021, visitor count increased by 170% to stand at 1.56 million, and spending jumped by 193.4% to total $101.32 million7. Despite this significant recovery, these numbers only equated to 37% of the visitor volume and 40% of the tourist spending observed in 20195.
Economic Impact 2024 – Statue of Liberty Tourism Statistics
Why do people visit the Statue of Liberty?
- People visit the Statue of Liberty for several reasons, including historical, cultural, and educational factors.
What are the peak tourist months in the Statue of Liberty?
- July recorded the highest visitation in 2025 with 495,830 visitors2, making it the peak month for tourism at the Statue of Liberty.
- August followed with 462,838 visitors2, maintaining high summer tourism.
- June was another major tourist month with 392,017 visitors2, marking the start of the summer peak.
- April and May signaled the start of the busy tourist season with 343,530 and 337,925 visitors, respectively2.
- October recorded 296,169 visitors2, as the fall season began.

When is the least crowded time to visit the Statue of Liberty?
Winter is the quietest time to visit the Statue of Liberty. In 2025, February was the least busy month, with 120,124 visitors, followed by January with 143,3682.
- February's total was roughly a quarter of the 495,830 visitors recorded in July, the busiest month2.
- November (208,360) and December (240,774) were also quieter than any month from April to October2.
- September was the quietest month of the main season, with 255,824 visitors, fewer than in October (296,169)2.
How much does it cost to visit the Statue of Liberty?
The cost to visit the Statue of Liberty varies depending on the type of ticket purchased:
- General Admission: $26 per adult12. This ticket includes access to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and the ferry ride.
- Pedestal Reserve Ticket: $26.30 per adult13. This option includes everything in the General Admission ticket plus access to the pedestal.
- Crown Reserve Ticket: $26.30 per adult14. This ticket provides access to the crown, pedestal, and the ferry ride.
- New York Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour: Starting at $8115. This 90-minute guided tour covers the unrestored Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital Complex.
*Note: Prices for children and senior citizens vary, and ticket prices are subject to change. It is recommended to check the official ticket provider for the most current pricing.*
How to buy Statue of Liberty tickets?
- Tickets for the Statue of Liberty can be purchased online through the official ticket provider, Statue City Cruises.
- Tickets can also be purchased in person at ticket booths located at Battery Park in New York City and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to avoid long lines and to ensure availability, especially for Crown Access tickets.
More Statistics
- Arizona Tourism Statistics
- Boston Tourism Statistics
- California Tourism Statistics
- Disneyland Tourism Statistics
- Florida Keys and Key West Tourism Statistics
- Massachusetts Tourism Statistics
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Tourism Statistics
- Nevada Tourism Statistics
- New Orleans Tourism Statistics
- South Dakota Tourism Statistics
- Universal Orlando Tourism Statistics
- Washington Tourism Statistics
How to get to the Statue of Liberty?
Visitors must take a ferry operated by Statue City Cruises to reach the Statue of Liberty. Ferries depart from two locations:
- Battery Park in Manhattan, New York City: This location is accessible by subway, bus, or taxi.
- Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey: This location can be reached by car, public transit, or taxi.
Before boarding the ferry, visitors have to go through a security screening. The ferry ride takes approximately 15 minutes to reach Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty is located.
Car and Campervan Rental Near the Statue of Liberty
- Jersey City, NJ
- Manhattan, NY
- New York
- Campervan Rental New York
- Car Rental John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Car Rental LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Car Rental Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- New York to Boston
- New York to Niagara Falls
- New York to Philadelphia
- Car Rental New York to Washington, DC
Statue of Liberty Facts
How many steps are there to the Statue of Liberty's crown?
Visitors must climb 162 steps up a tight spiral staircase to reach the crown, and there is no elevator18.
- Crown tickets must be reserved in advance, with a maximum of four tickets per order and one ticket per person in any six-month period18.
- Children must be at least 42 inches (1.1 meters) tall to visit the crown and cannot be carried18.
- Crown visits are limited to 10 minutes, and 25 windows in the crown look out over New York Harbor18.
Where is the Statue of Liberty located?
The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.
When was the Statue of Liberty built?
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It marks its 140th anniversary in 2026.
Why was the Statue of Liberty built?
The Statue of Liberty was built as a gift from France to the United States to celebrate the centennial of American independence and symbolize freedom, democracy, and the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Who is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. The statue’s full name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
Who created the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi. The internal structure was engineered by Gustave Eiffel, who is also known for designing the Eiffel Tower.
What is the Statue of Liberty Made of?
The Statue of Liberty is made of copper sheets assembled over a steel framework. The copper gives the statue its distinctive appearance.
Why is the Statue of Liberty green?
The Statue of Liberty is green due to the natural weathering of the copper surface, a process known as patination. Originally, the statue was a shiny reddish-brown color, similar to a new penny.
What happened to the original torch of the Statue of Liberty?
The original torch was removed in 1984 and is now displayed in the Statue of Liberty Museum.
Is the Statue of Liberty a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.19
References
- NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Annual Park Recreation Visitation (1904 - Last Calendar Year), Statue of Liberty NM · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m
- NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Recreation Visitors By Month (1979 - Last Calendar Year), Statue of Liberty NM · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n
- 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation (NPS Visitor Spending Effects report series) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f
- National Park Service Records More Than 323 Million Recreation Visits in 2025 (NPS news release, 13 March 2026) · nps.gov ↑ b c d
- NPS Visitor Spending Effects — park results for Statue of Liberty NM (visitor spending by sector and by year, VSE data API behind the NPS VSE interactive tool) · irmaservices.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h
- 2020 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation · nps.gov ↑ b
- 2021 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation · nps.gov ↑ b
- 2022 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation · nps.gov ↑
- 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation (NPS Science Report NPS/SR—2024/174) · nps.gov ↑
- NYC Tourism + Conventions: 2025 Visitation Surpasses Forecast, Generating $84.7B in Economic Impact · business.nyctourism.com ↑
- NYC Tourism + Conventions: NYC Travel & Tourism Outlook, March 2026 (2019–2026 visitation trends; top international markets 2025 — Tourism Economics) · business.nyctourism.com ↑
- Statue City Cruises — General Admission tickets (New York departure) · statuecitycruises.com ↑
- Statue City Cruises — Pedestal Reserve tickets (New York departure) · statuecitycruises.com ↑
- Statue City Cruises — Crown Reserve tickets (New York departure) · statuecitycruises.com ↑
- Statue City Cruises — Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour tickets (New York departure) · statuecitycruises.com ↑
- Frequently Asked Questions — Statue of Liberty National Monument (National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- Statue of Liberty Facts — Statue of Liberty National Monument (National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
- Visit the Crown — Statue of Liberty National Monument (National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d
- Statue of Liberty — UNESCO World Heritage Centre (property 307) · whc.unesco.org ↑