Car Wash Demographics: 65 User Facts & Numbers [2023]

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the demographics of car wash users.

From age and gender to income and location, we’ll explore the characteristics that define the typical car wash user.

So, if you’re curious about who’s keeping their cars squeaky clean, keep reading to learn more.

Table of Contents

Quick Facts About Car Wash Users

On average, Americans get their cars washed approximately 13 times per year, which translates to around one or two times per month.
More than 2 billion cars are washed every year in North America, with Americans spending USD 5.8 billion at car wash facilities annually.
Over the past decade, more than 70% of car owners in the United States have switched from handwashing their vehicles to using car washing facilities.
Approximately 65% of car wash facilities in the United States also serve as fuel dispensers.

These facts highlight the significant prevalence and usage of car wash services among the American population.

Age Demographics for Car Wash Users

The target age for customers is between 35 and 55, with more than half being women
Many Americans wash their car around 13 times a year, indicating that the majority of car wash users visit a car wash establishment one or two times per month.
In the United States, the percentage of drivers that report most frequently washing their vehicle at a professional car wash has increased from approximately 48% in 1994 to more than 77% in 2019.

It is evident that the car wash industry in the United States has grown significantly over the years, with a diverse workforce and an increasing number of drivers opting for professional car wash services.

Gender Demographics for Car Wash Users

There are few more female car wash users than there are male users.
Male car cleaners, however, make up a significant portion at 81.6%, while women account for 18.4% of the workforce in the industry.

The distribution of gender in the car wash industry shows a clear disparity, with men dominating both car cleaning and car washing roles.

This trend extends across different geographic locations and market segments, indicating a pattern that is both widespread and persistent.

Ethnicity Demographics

Car wash demographics show distinct patterns among different ethnic groups working in the industry or owning businesses.

Some statistics regarding car wash demographics based on ethnicity include:

The most common ethnicity of car washers is White (55.2%)
Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 19.8% of car washers
Black or African American individuals constitute 13.8% of car wash workers
About 5.7% of car washers are considered Unknown ethnicity

In terms of business ownership, several trends can be observed:

Car washes are predominantly owned by non-Hispanic White men

The data indicates that there are disparities between different ethnic groups within the car wash industry, both in terms of workforce composition and business ownership. Recognizing these demographic patterns can help inform strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry.

Education Level Demographics

According to the available data, the education level demographics for car washers in the United States are as follows:

64% have a high school diploma
12% possess a diploma, potentially indicating vocational education or some college experience
9% hold an associate degree
9% have a bachelor’s degree
6% of car washers have other types of degrees or educational qualifications

These statistics illustrate that the majority of car washers have at least completed high school, with a significant percentage pursuing education beyond that level to various extents. It is important to note that these numbers may vary depending on the location, type of car wash establishment, and job role expectations.

The diverse range of educational backgrounds found in the car wash industry suggests that employees in this field possess a variety of skills that could contribute to the overall service quality and customer experience. It is evident that the industry succeeds in accommodating a diverse workforce with differing education levels, which can lead to a unique blend of knowledge and expertise.

Average Income Level

In the United States, car washes with paid employees had 163,178 workers in 2019, earning an average annual salary of $21,911.
American car dealers with wash facilities make around $27,735 annually, with Maryland having the highest at $100K per year.
Small self-service car washes’ average annual profit is over $40,000, while larger and luxurious car washes can earn over $500,000 per year.
Consumers spend $5.8 billion annually on car wash services, and each car wash has about 20,000 clients annually.
Among car wash attendants, men earn an average income of $27K, while women earn slightly less at $26K.

The data reveals a diverse demographic of car wash employees and varying income levels within the industry, from smaller self-service facilities to high-end luxury establishments.

Other Interesting Facts About The Effect Of Car Wash Users

Employees of car washes in Maine were the most “productive,” generating $94,234 in sales per employee compared to $60,099 for the nation.
Washing and Cleaning Services for Automobiles and Light-Duty Trucks made up 84.2% of the $9.7 billion of total sales of car washes in 2017.
Car wash water statistics indicate that 66% of Americans get their cars washed approximately 13 times per year, putting the average washes per month at one or two times.
Most car wash stations are also fuel dispensers, with approximately 65% of car wash facilities serving as fuelling points as well.
The percentage of drivers that report most frequently washing their vehicle at a professional car wash has increased from approximately 48% in 1994 to more than 77% in 2019.
In 2019, there were over 160,000 car wash facilities in the US.
The car wash industry employs over 700,000 people in the US.
Full-service car washes account for approximately 22% of all car wash facilities in the US.
The average price of a car wash in the US is around $15.
The global car wash and detailing services market was valued at $47.5 billion in 2020.
In 2021, the number of vehicles in operation in the US reached a record high of 284.5 million.
In the US, automatic car washes are the most common type of car wash facility, making up approximately 80% of all car washes.
The cost of starting a car wash business can range from $10,000 to over $1 million.
The car wash industry in the US is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2020 to 2025.
In 2017, the average car wash facility generated $670,000 in annual revenue.
California has the most car wash facilities of any US state, with over 10,000 locations.
The average car wash takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.
Approximately 20% of car washes in the US are owned by chains with multiple locations.
The car wash industry in the US is highly fragmented, with the top 50 companies accounting for less than 20% of total revenue.
In 2021, the revenue of the car wash and detailing services market in the US is expected to reach $10.6 billion.
The average revenue per car wash in the US is approximately $20.
In 2019, the most common car wash location was a gas station or convenience store, accounting for 48% of all car washes.
The number of touchless car washes in the US has increased by approximately 10% per year since 2015.
The global market for car washing equipment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2020 to 2025.
Hand car washes make up approximately 4% of all car wash facilities in the US.
In 2019, approximately 60% of car washes in the US offered unlimited wash plans or memberships.
Approximately 30% of car wash customers in the US are loyal to a specific brand or location.
In 2019, the average cost of a basic car wash was $11.
The US car wash industry uses approximately 2.8 billion gallons of water per year.
The most common type of car wash brush is made of nylon, accounting for approximately 80% of all brushes used in the industry.

The data demonstrates the changing landscape of car wash usage over time, highlighting the impact of factors such as productivity, fuel dispensing capabilities, and consumer preferences.

Sources

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