Statue of Liberty Tourism Statistics - How Many People Visit?

Page last updated: 20 August 2024

The Statue of Liberty, an iconic symbol of freedom, consistently attracts millions of visitors each year.

Overview

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 2000.

In recent years, the average annual visitation has stayed between 3 million and 4 million people.¹

In 2016, the Statue of Liberty saw 4.5 million visitors, but this number gradually decreased to 4.2 million by 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp drop in visits, with only approximately 576,000 people visiting.

Visitor numbers began to recover in 2021, rising to 1.6 million. This positive trend continued in 2022 and 2023, with 3.1 million and 3.7 million visitors, respectively. Despite this recovery, visitation still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels.

How many people visited the Statue of Liberty in 2022?

In 2022, the Statue of Liberty welcomed 3.14 million visitors.

This marked a 102% increase when compared to 2021. Despite this improvement, visitation did not reach the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

How many tourists visit the Statue of Liberty each day?

On average, the Statue of Liberty receives approximately 15,000 to 20,000 visitors per day.

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 much do tourists spend when visiting the Statue of Liberty every year?

Tourists spend around $200 to $250 million each year when visiting the Statue of Liberty.²

Before the pandemic, tourist spending at the Statue of Liberty remained steady at approximately $250 million per year.

In 2020, as visitor numbers dropped due to the pandemic, spending decreased significantly to $34.5 million.

With the return of tourism in 2021, spending rose to $101.3 million. This upward trend continued in 2022, with spending reaching approximately $207.4 million.

How much did visitors spend when visiting the Statue of Liberty in 2022?

Visitors to the Statue of Liberty contributed $207 million to the local economy in 2022, an increase of 104.6% compared to the previous year.

How much money does the Statue of Liberty make each year?

The Statue of Liberty generates considerable revenue each year, primarily through ticket sales, souvenirs, and other visitor spending, such as in hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

In 2019, the Statue of Liberty and its associated activities generated an estimated $265 million for the economy.

In 2021, even with a reduced number of visitors due to the pandemic, the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island saw visitor spending that contributed an estimated $149 million to the local economy. These expenditures supported around 1,110 jobs, generated $60.5 million in labour income, and added $98.3 million in value to the local economy.

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.

The largest groups of international visitors to New York in 2023 came from the United Kingdom, followed closely by Canada, France, Brazil, and Germany. Tourists in New York often include the Statue of Liberty in their travel plans, as it is a symbol of freedom and one of the must-see attractions in the city.³

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 plunging to 576,000 and spending dropping to $34.5 million. This represented an 86% decrease from the previous year’s visits and spending levels.

The following year, in 2021, visitor count increased by 170% to stand at 1.56 million, and spending jumped by 193.5% to total $101.32 million. Despite this significant recovery, these numbers only equated to 37% of the visitor volume and 40% of the tourist spending observed in 2019.

Why do people visit the Statue of Liberty?

People visit the Statue of Liberty for several reasons, including historical, cultural, and educational factors.

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: $25 per adult. This ticket includes access to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and the ferry ride.

Pedestal Reserve Ticket: $25.30 per adult. This option includes everything in the General Admission ticket plus access to the pedestal.

Crown Reserve Ticket: $25.30 per adult. This ticket provides access to the crown, pedestal, and the ferry ride.

New York Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour: Starting at $75. 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 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.

How to get to the Statue of Liberty?

Visitors must take a ferry operated by Statue 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.

USA Travel Resources

Statue of Liberty Facts

How tall is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty stands at 305 feet (93 metres) from the ground to the tip of the torch. The statue itself is 151 feet (46 metres) tall, with the pedestal and foundation accounting for the remaining height.
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 completed on October 28, 1886. As of 2024, it is 138 years old.
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 symbolise 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 colour, similar to a new penny.
What happened to the original torch of the Statue of Liberty?
The original torch was replaced 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.

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References

NPS: National Park Annual Visitation ↩︎
NPS: National Park Annual Visitor Spending Effects – 2019 to 2022 report ↩︎
NYC: Visitor’s Profile – Fact Sheet 2023 ↩︎