Pool Ownership Rate by State: Which States Have the Most Pools?

Pool ownership in the United States is heavily concentrated in a handful of states. Just four states--Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona--account for 54% of all pool industry sales, according to Pool Corporation's SEC filings.[1]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing

This data comes from SEC filings of Pool Corporation and Leslie's Inc., the two largest publicly traded pool companies, giving pool service professionals an accurate picture of where the industry is concentrated.

The "Big Four" Pool States

Pool Corporation, the world's largest pool products distributor, reports that over half of their domestic sales come from just four states. This concentration reflects where pools are built and maintained at scale.

Sources: Pool Corporation 10-K, Pool Corp Q4 2025 Earnings Call

These numbers explain why Pool Corp has concentrated their distribution infrastructure in these markets--it's where the customers are.

Distribution Centers by State

The number of Pool Corporation distribution centers in each state provides a useful proxy for pool density and market size:

State	Distribution Centers	Share of U.S. Total
California	81	17.8%
Florida	66	14.5%
Texas	59	12.9%
Arizona	30	6.6%
Georgia	11	2.4%
All Other States	209	45.8%

Source: Pool Corp Q4 2025 Earnings Call

California alone has more distribution centers than all but three states combined. This reflects the state's massive installed pool base of over 1.4 million residential pools.

The "Sand States" Phenomenon

Leslie's CEO Jason McDonell coined the term "Sand States" to describe the five states driving new pool construction: Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, and Nevada. According to Leslie's earnings calls, these states account for 66% of all new pool construction in the United States.[2]Leslie's Q4 2024 Earnings CallNovember 26, 2024Transcript

These states share common characteristics that drive pool ownership:

• Year-round warm climate: Pools can be used 8-12 months per year
• Population growth: Net migration into Sun Belt states drives new construction
• Housing development: New single-family home construction often includes pools
• Outdoor living culture: Backyards are extensions of living space

Leslie's Market Penetration

Leslie's Inc. reports that 88% of all in-ground pools in the Sunbelt are located within 10 miles of one of their 1,021 retail locations.[3]Leslie's, Inc. 10-KFiscal year ended September 28, 2024SEC Filing

This statistic reveals how densely pools are concentrated in warm-weather states. It also demonstrates the strategic value these markets offer to pool service businesses.

Sources: Leslie's 10-K, Leslie's Q4 2024 Earnings Call

What This Means for Pool Service Businesses

The geographic concentration of pools creates distinct opportunities:

1. High-density markets support route efficiency. In California or Florida, you can service more pools per day with less drive time between stops.
2. Distribution infrastructure is robust. With 81 Pool Corp locations in California alone, getting supplies is convenient.
3. Competition is fierce. The same density that creates opportunity also means more competitors vying for the same customers.
4. Seasonal variation is minimal. Sunbelt service businesses can operate year-round without the dramatic off-season of northern markets.

For pool service professionals looking to relocate or expand, these state-level statistics provide a data-driven framework for decision-making.

For more industry data, see our complete 2026 pool industry statistics or total US pool count.