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Hobbies are far from new. However, Americans’ relationship with hobbies continues to evolve as factors such as politics and the economy create a ripple effect across industries and anxiety levels. To better understand the state of hobbies today, CivicScience dove into the most recent data, which finds that a staggering 89% of U.S. adults report they have some sort of hobby today, a slight uptick from 88% in 2023.
Americans Are Making More Time for Hobbies
The majority (60%) of those with hobbies spend less than 5 hours per week pursuing them. However, since 2023, the percentage of those spending 6-10 hours per week on their hobbies has increased by eight percentage points. Gen Z is leading the way with hobby participation, as they are most likely to spend 6-10 hours on hobbies each week.
When respondents were asked why they don’t spend as much time on hobbies as they would like, the overarching response was ‘family responsibilities’ followed by ‘work responsibilities.’ However, this does vary according to age. For Millennials, work is the larger factor getting in their way, while for Gen Z, it’s ‘lack of motivation.’
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While unsurprising, it is still worth noting that there is a strong correlation between stress and hobbies. Those who have been the most strongly stressed are also the most likely to have hobbies, suggesting that having an outlet may be essential for those navigating big feelings. They’re also slightly more likely to say they are emotionally affected by the news they read or watch.
However, when it comes to spending on those hobbies, increased stress correlates with decreased spend. Those who report being ‘not at all’ stressed are nearly twice as likely as those who were ‘very strongly’ stressed to have spent $100+ on hobbies in the past month or so.
Even when the stress factor is removed from the equation, the data clearly reveal a decrease in spending overall. In 2020, 20% of respondents had spent $100+ on hobbies in the last month–currently, just 13% say the same. Meanwhile, more Americans are spending $50 or less per month on their hobbies than they were five years ago (27% vs. 32%), further underscoring the downturn in hobby spending overall.
How Those Who Spend 6+ Hours per Week on Hobbies Stand Out
Americans with hobbies navigate life unique ways. From how they research products to their future healthcare plans, here are six key insights to note:
- 39% of those spending 6 or more hours on a hobby plan to switch health insurance companies or obtain health insurance in the next year, nearly twice the rate of those without a hobby (19%)
- Americans spending the most time on hobbies are far less likely to use an ad-blocker on their tech devices, compared to those without a hobby (32% to 72%)
- 79% of those who spend 6+ hours on a hobby use their phones to research a product they want to purchase, compared to 51% of those without hobbies
- Frequent hobbyists are more than twice as likely to say they ‘always’ seek out reviews for an item they want to purchase
- 92% say they plan to do at least some of their winter holiday shopping online this year, compared to 47% of those who don’t have a hobby (among holiday shoppers)
Americans Prefer Self-Paced Learning
With so many Americans spending their free time with a hobby, and additional data showing that 59% learned a new hobby in the last year, it’s worth considering where exactly they gained the new knowledge. As the data show, the largest percentage (53%) have learned from online videos or YouTube, while 36% are self-taught through trial and error. Clearly, hobbies are something of an egalitarian pursuit, with Americans picking up new skills on their own.
That said, some of the most popular hobbies may not require a new skillset. Currently, watching movies or TV shows ranks as the most popular choice, with 45% of respondents indicating this as a hobby of theirs. Reading comes in second at 38%, while outdoor activities and cooking or baking are tied for third (31%). It’s worth noting that all of these top hobbies appeal to consumers’ needs to feel better and even escape their everyday life.
Let Us Know: What is your favorite hobby / way to pass the time?
In 2025, hobbies are happening. Fueled by a low barrier to entry–many Americans spend $0 on their hobby and learn through free, self-paced resources–and bolstered by the potential to decrease stress or at least divert attention from what’s happening on the world stage. For the majority of Americans, engaging in a hobby offers both accessibility and a meaningful mental escape. For companies looking to make the most of this sustained interest, finding ways to seamlessly integrate into customers’ daily experience–and their online browsing habits–will be essential to staying top of mind when these budget-savvy DIY consumers open their wallets.
