Fireworks Frenzy: Who’s Really Lighting Up the Sky This Independence Day?

Only 12% of respondents said they regularly buy fireworks for the holiday, while 24% purchase them occasionally. A clear majority—60%—say they don’t buy fireworks at all, and 5% had no opinion. The numbers suggest that most consumers prefer to celebrate without lighting up the sky themselves.

The gender split is fairly even. Among regular buyers, 48% are men and 52% are women. That balance holds on the other side as well: non-buyers are 47% male and 53% female. Despite stereotypes, interest in fireworks isn’t heavily tilted in either direction by gender.

Age, however, tells a different story. Young adults are far more likely to take part in the tradition—21% of regular fireworks buyers are aged 18–24. Meanwhile, enthusiasm tapers off in older age groups. Just 7% of regular buyers are 65 or older, underscoring a generational shift in how people engage with the holiday.

Having kids at home may tip the scales. Among those who typically buy fireworks, 54% are parents and 18% are grandparents. In comparison, only 32% of those who don’t buy fireworks are parents, and 27% are grandparents. That gap suggests fireworks may be more popular among families with younger children.

Income levels hint at a modest affordability divide. Fireworks buyers are spread fairly evenly across income brackets—22% earn under $30,000 a year, and 20% fall between $50,000 and $74,999. But among non-buyers, a larger share (25%) earn under $30,000, pointing to potential cost concerns as a barrier to participation.

Education may also influence buying habits. Thirty percent of regular fireworks buyers have a high school diploma or GED, and 17% hold a bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, non-buyers are slightly more likely to hold a college degree, with 22% falling into that category. This could reflect differing values around safety, spending, or celebration styles.

All told, fireworks purchasing habits vary more than you might expect. While men and women participate in nearly equal measure, younger adults, parents, and those with lower levels of formal education are more likely to be the ones stocking up ahead of the Fourth. Whether driven by tradition, family, or just a love for the spectacle, these patterns reveal who’s really lighting the fuse this Independence Day.