HC Facts

Here's a snapshot of Hamilton County, through facts and figures.

Hamilton County, Indiana Tourism Statistics
Economic Impact

• Hamilton County is the third largest tourism destination market in Indiana behind Indianapolis and Lake County as measured by economic impact.
• Tourism accounts for $263.7 million in direct expenditures by visitors each year. (reflects a 3.1% annual growth rate 2007-2009 when adjusted for inflation)
• Food and Beverage expenditures account for $75.2 million, Lodging expenditures account for $64.6 million, and Shopping expenditures account for $50.9 million of
  the total.
• Lodging guests spend $116 million or $136 per person per day. Guests visiting friends and relatives spend $56.2 million or $63 per person per day. Visitors passing through for the day spend $50.6 million or $30 per person per day. Visitors coming to our attractions spend $39.3 million or $45 per person per day. Visitors staying at campgrounds spend $1.6 million or $62 per person per day.
• $16.8 million in local tax revenues are generated as a result of tourism here, or a contribution of $162 per county household.
• $31.2 million in state tax revenues are generated as a result of tourism here. More than 5,100 jobs in the county are directly or indirectly related to the tour and travel industry.

Visitor Profiles

• Destination travelers to the county totaled nearly 2 million persons in 2009 compared to 1.8 million in 2007. (reflects a growth rate of 9.2%)
• Pass-through travelers to the county totaled 1.6 million persons.
• Origination of visitors: primarily surrounding states
• Education level: 75% are college graduates or have completed post-graduate studies
• Average age: 48
• Household: 24% have kids living at home
• Status: 70% are married; 30% are single
• Income: 72% have incomes of more than $50,000; 47% of those have incomes of more than $70,000
• Job: 53% are professionals

Trip Profiles

• Average travel party: 3.2 people
• Trip type: 50% are on a short trip (1-3 nights); 17.5% are day-trip visitors; 90% of overnight visitors stay in hotels while here; 51.6% are on their first visit here
• Trip planning: 67.5% used the Internet to make travel plans; 43.2% relied on friends or relatives.
• Most popular months visited: May 25%, June 25%, July 25%, August 16%,September 14%
• Most mentioned activities: Dining out, Shopping, Verizon Wireless Music Center,Vineyard/Brewpub, Downtown Noblesville, Sporting tournament, Conner Prairie,Indiana Transportation Museum, Carmel Arts & Design District, Trails, Golf
  
  Sources: "Economic Impact of Hamilton County's Tourism and Travel Industry 2009," prepared for the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc. by Certec, Inc.; Strategic Marketing & Research, Inc., 2010; D.K. Shifflet Assoc.
  Revised December 2010