Bridging the Travel Gap: Understanding American Travel Disparities

Apr 24, 2025

Luca Bravo on Unsplash via Unsplash

A recent survey conducted by CivicScience reveals stark contrasts between Americans who have never left North America and those who frequently travel overseas. The survey, which gathered responses from 37,125 users between January and April 2025, highlights significant differences in demographics and lifestyle choices.

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Age plays a crucial role in travel habits. Older individuals, particularly those aged 65 and above, are more likely to travel frequently, with 20% of frequent travelers falling into this age group. In contrast, only 17% of those who have never left North America are 65 or older. This suggests that older age groups may have more time and resources to explore the world.

Education levels further distinguish these groups. Among those who frequently travel, 29% hold a graduate or professional degree, compared to just 7% of non-travelers.

Gender differences are also evident, with males more likely to travel overseas. Among frequent travelers, 56% are male, while females constitute 44%. This gender gap is less pronounced among those who have never left North America, where 57% are female.

Parental status reveals intriguing insights. Non-travelers are more likely to be parents, with 42% identifying as such, compared to 37% of frequent travelers. This may indicate that parental responsibilities can limit travel opportunities.

Urbanicity influences travel habits as well. Those residing in suburbs are more likely to travel frequently, with 41% of frequent travelers living in suburban areas. In contrast, 35% of non-travelers reside in suburbs.

These findings paint a vivid picture of the diverse factors influencing travel habits among Americans. While age, education, and gender all play significant roles, the data suggests that lifestyle choices and responsibilities also shape one’s ability to explore the world. As travel becomes more accessible, understanding these dynamics can help bridge the gap between those who have yet to experience the world beyond North America and those who frequently do.

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.

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