City of Sturgis releases 2018 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally numbers

The City of Sturgis held the annual After-Rally Summit meeting on Thursday, October 11. During the meeting the official attendance number along with demographic data was shared with the public.

• The official attendance at the 2018 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was 495,000. This was the second largest Rally in the last 10-years.
• The total economic impact to the State of South Dakota was $786 million.
• $583,276 was raised for local non-profits. This includes funds raised at City events such as the Mayor’s Ride as well as charity events held at private venues.  The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is often a significant funding source for many non-profit agencies.

The following information about attendees is based on 3,363 random surveys that were conducted immediately prior to and during the 10-day event.

• Average age of attendees in 2018 was 49. This is down from the peak average age of 52 that occurred during the 2015 Rally.
• 15% of attendees have previously attended the Rally at least 25 times.
• 24% of attendees were there for the first time in 2018.
• Of the first-time visitors, 90% plan to return.
• The average length of stay is 5 days.
• Over 50% of attendees stayed at a campground. 18% stayed in a hotel/motel.

The entire presentation will be posted on the City of Sturgis website on Friday, October 12.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a 10-day event held each year in Sturgis, South Dakota. The 79^thAnniversary of the event will take place August 2-11, 2019. For more information about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally visit www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com.