Marine Industries

More Palm Beach County Data:

A five-year study released by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County shows the marine industry has:

• $4.7 billion in overall economic impact, employing 22,000 people
• $18.5 billion for the tri-county area, employing 141,000 people
• 37,000 registered boats in Palm Beach County and 1 million in the State of Florida

Additional resources from the Marine Industries of Palm Beach County:

• 2023 FIND Economic Analysis of the District Waterways – PBC
• 2023 NMMA Florida Marine Economic Impact Info Graphic
• 2022 Economic Impact of the Recreational Marine Industry Tri-County
• 2022 FIND Economic Benefit Infor Graphic - PBC
• 2022 PBIBS Info Graphic
• 2022 MIAPBC Annual Report

More About the Sector:

Marinas and boatyards in Palm Beach County have a combined appraised value of $78.4 million. The boat slips in Palm Beach County have a total market value of $436 million.

More than half of the economic impacts are generated by the service sector of the marine industry, including in excess of $1 billion in business sales, $369 million in personal income, and 9,885 jobs. The second largest impacts are generated by manufacturing activities, with more than $320 million in sales, $100 million in personal income, and 2,490 jobs.

In addition to the direct economic impact of the marine industry, the study also found that boaters spend approximately $52.97 per outing on non-marine-related purchases such as gas, food, drinks, and ice. These non-marine related purchases total $91 million in retail purchases ($51.6 million for gasoline sales and $39.4 million for food, drinks, and ice) and are estimated to generate economic impacts of $135 million in business volume, $34 million in personal income, and 850 jobs.