How Many Pools Are in the United States? 2026 State-by-State Data

The United States has approximately 8.8 million residential swimming pools, making it the largest pool market in the world. But understanding the full picture requires looking beyond just backyard pools--the total installed base includes in-ground pools, above-ground pools, hot tubs, and commercial facilities.

This data comes directly from SEC filings and earnings calls from the industry's largest public companies, providing the most accurate picture of pool ownership in America.

Total Pool Count by Type

The U.S. pool market breaks down into several distinct categories. Understanding these segments helps pool service professionals identify their target market and growth opportunities.

States with the Most Pools

Pool ownership is heavily concentrated in the Sunbelt. Four states--Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona--dominate the U.S. pool market, accounting for 54% of all pool industry sales.[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing

State	Distribution Centers	% of National Sales	Market Position
California	81	~15%	Largest current market
Florida	66	~14%	Expected to become #1
Texas	59	~13%	Fastest population growth
Arizona	30	~12%	Highest per-capita density
Georgia	11	~3%	Emerging Sunbelt market

Source: Pool Corporation 10-K, 2024

The remaining 46 states contribute an average of only 1% each to national pool industry activity.[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing This extreme concentration creates both opportunities and challenges for pool service businesses.

Pool Distribution Infrastructure by State

Pool Corp, the world's largest pool products distributor, operates 456 sales centers domestically. The distribution of these centers reveals where the pools actually are:

Key insight: 236 sales centers (52% of the national distribution infrastructure) are located in just 4 states--representing only 8% of U.S. states.[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing

New Pool Construction Trends

New pool construction has declined significantly from pandemic highs but remains steady:

Two-thirds of all new pool construction happens in just four states.[5]Latham Group 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing This means these regions will capture the majority of new maintenance customers as these pools age into their service cycles.

The Hot Tub Market: An Underserved Opportunity

One of the most surprising findings: the residential spa and hot tub market (5.5 million units) is now slightly larger than the in-ground swimming pool market (5.4 million units).[1]Leslie's, Inc. 10-KFiscal year ended September 28, 2024SEC Filing

This represents a massive, often underserved sector for pool service professionals. Many hot tub owners don't realize they can use the same service provider who maintains their pool.

Pool-to-Spa Ratio

For every 8 pools, there are roughly 5 spas (based on 8.8M residential pools vs 5.5M spas).[1]Leslie's, Inc. 10-KFiscal year ended September 28, 2024SEC Filing If you're only servicing pools, you're missing nearly 40% of the potential market in your service area.

Commercial Pool Market

The 300,000 commercial pools in the U.S. represent just 2.1% of all water assets[1]Leslie's, Inc. 10-KFiscal year ended September 28, 2024SEC Filing, but they often generate higher service revenue per account due to:

• Stricter health department requirements
• Higher chemical usage
• More frequent service visits
• Larger equipment installations

Commercial accounts include hotels, apartment complexes, HOAs, fitness centers, and municipal facilities. Many pool service businesses find that adding commercial accounts significantly increases their average revenue per customer.

Florida's Rise to #1

According to Pool Corp's Q4 2025 earnings call, Florida is expected to soon become the largest U.S. market by total installed base, overtaking California.[4]Pool Corp Q4 2025 Earnings CallFebruary 2026Transcript

This shift is driven by:[4]Pool Corp Q4 2025 Earnings CallFebruary 2026Transcript

• Continued population migration to Florida
• Year-round pool season (no winterization needed)
• Higher pool ownership rates per capita
• Strong new construction market

What This Means for Pool Service Businesses

The data reveals several strategic insights for pool service professionals:

1. Location matters enormously. If you're in the Sunbelt, you have access to the majority of the market. If you're elsewhere, competition may be lower but so is total market size.
2. Don't ignore hot tubs. With 5.5 million spas representing an often-overlooked market, adding spa service can significantly grow your business.
3. Commercial accounts are high-value. While only 2% of total pools, commercial facilities often generate disproportionate revenue.
4. The market is growing. Even at 60,000 new pools per year, the installed base continues to expand, creating new service customers annually.

For more on the pool service industry, see our complete 2026 pool industry statistics or use our pool route valuation calculator to estimate your business value.