How Many Thrift Stores Are There in the US?

How many thrift stores are there in the U.S.? Current estimates show there are over 25,000 thrift and resale shops nationwide. This figure includes charitable thrift outlets, consignment boutiques, and other secondhand retailers.

Thrift stores today range from century-old charities to trendy vintage boutiques. Goodwill and The Salvation Army alone operate thousands of locations combined, alongside independent church shops, consignment franchises, and emerging resale chains.

With the U.S. resale market valued at $50+ billion, thrift stores sit at the center of America’s resale, secondhand, and thrift shopping economy.

How Many Thrift Stores Are There in the U.S.?

According to sources, there are more than 25,000 resale, secondhand market, consignment, and nonprofit thrift shops across the United States.

This count includes:

• Large nonprofit chains like Goodwill and Salvation Army
• Volunteer-run church and charity thrift shops
• For-profit consignment and resale boutiques

More conservative government counts focus only on formal retail establishments with payroll. U.S. Census Bureau data lists about 5,800 employer establishments under “Used Merchandise Stores” (NAICS 45331). However, this excludes thousands of volunteer-run and nonprofit thrift shops.

When accounting for sole proprietors and nonprofits, recent market research places the total at 19,500–28,000 stores, depending on the classification. As a result, ~25,000 remains the most commonly cited midpoint.

Thrift Stores by State (Most and Fewest Locations)

Thrift store distribution varies widely by state and generally mirrors each state’s population. States with the most thrift stores include:

• California: ~1,840 stores (about 9–10% of the U.S. total)
• Texas: Estimated 1,300–1,500 stores
• Florida: Well over 1,000 stores

Large metro areas such as Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and Miami contribute heavily to these totals.

At the other end of the spectrum are sparsely populated states:

• Wyoming: Roughly 20–30 thrift stores statewide
• Alaska: About 40–50 stores, mostly concentrated in Anchorage and Fairbanks
• North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Delaware: Generally 50–150 stores each

While smaller states have fewer stores in total, some, like Vermont, rank high on a per-capita basis due to a strong thrift culture.

Thrift Stores Per Capita in the United States

Nationally, the U.S. averages about 7–8 thrift stores per 100,000 people, or roughly one store per 13,000 residents. Some states far exceed this average:

• Vermont leads with roughly 27 thrift stores per 100,000 residents.
• Maine, Montana, and Oregon also rank well above average.

More urbanized states tend to fall below the national rate:

• New Jersey and Massachusetts average 4–5 stores per 100,000 people.
• New York sits closer to average but varies sharply by region.

In general, thrift stores are more prevalent per capita in rural and mid-sized communities than in dense urban cores.

Thrift Stores per Square Mile (Geographic Density)

There is roughly one thrift store per 100–150 square miles. This average hides major geographic contrasts.

Urban areas feature dense clusters of thrift and vintage shops. In cities like Los Angeles, New York, Denver, and Seattle, multiple thrift stores and apparel markets operate within a single neighborhood.

By contrast, rural regions may have only one thrift store serving an entire county. In parts of the Mountain West and Great Plains, residents travel 50+ miles to reach the nearest location.

Historic vs. Modern Thrift Stores (Founded Before vs. After 2000)

The thrift store landscape blends long-established charities with newer resale businesses. Many major thrift organizations date back over a century:

• Goodwill was founded in 1902.
• Salvation Army thrift operations began in the early 1900s.

At the same time, the 21st century has seen rapid growth in new online resale concepts. Since 2000:

• The resale sector has grown at ~7% annually.
• New franchise models like Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child have expanded nationwide.
• Hundreds of nonprofit organizations launched thrift stores to fund charitable missions.

Today’s thrift ecosystem has both legacy institutions and modern resale innovation.

Are Thrift Store Numbers Increasing or Decreasing?

Overall, thrift store numbers are increasing. Key indicators include:

• ~7% annual net store growth, according to NARTS.
• Positive establishment growth reported by IBISWorld.
• Strong post-pandemic rebound in foot traffic and sales.

Unlike many traditional retail sectors, thrift stores tend to perform well during economic uncertainty, as consumers seek affordable alternatives.

Thrift Store Shoppers and Popularity

Thrift shopping is now firmly mainstream.

• 16–18% of Americans shop at thrift stores each year (roughly 1 in 6 consumers).
• Participation rivals mall and department store shopping.
• Gen Z and Millennials are driving renewed interest in thrifting, citing environmental concerns, affordability, and access to high-quality secondhand clothing.

Social media, resale culture, and inflationary pressures have all contributed to sustained demand.

Average Thrift Market Size, Sales, and Employment

Thrift stores vary widely in scale, but some averages stand out:

• Average annual revenue: ~$300,000–600,000 per store
• Total industry revenue: ~$15–17 billion annually
• Employment: ~222,000 workers, many part-time or volunteer-supported

Most thrift stores operate with lean staffing and low overhead, allowing them to remain viable even with modest sales volumes.

Major Thrift Store Operators in the U.S.

As thrift organizations scale, many are modernizing their operations. Larger operators increasingly rely on specialized point-of-sale systems to manage donated inventory, dynamic pricing, and high-volume transactions.

For retailers evaluating solutions built specifically for resale environments, dedicated thrift store POS systems streamline operations, improve checkout speed, and enhance inventory visibility.

Bottom Line

The United States is home to 25,000+ thrift stores, forming one of the largest secondhand retail networks in the world. With roughly one store per 13,000 people, thrift shops play a vital role in affordability, sustainability, and charitable funding.

The growth of resale shops in recent years has been driven by shifting consumer preferences for goods, rising interest in secondhand items, and increased focus on sustainability.

While challenges remain, thrift stores have proven adaptable and are likely to remain a fixture of American retail and community life for years to come.

Fair Use Statement

This article may be shared for noncommercial purposes with proper attribution and a link back to the original source.