For many Americans, fireworks are as essential to the Fourth of July as hot dogs and flag-lined parades—but not for everyone. A recent CivicScience survey of 3,493 U.S. adults, conducted from July 1 to July 3, 2025, reveals a clear split in how people approach this iconic holiday activity.
Let us know: Do you typically attend a fireworks display to celebrate the Fourth of July?
One in five respondents (20%) said attending Fourth of July fireworks displays is a tradition for them. But twice as many—42%—said, “No, that’s not my thing.” Another 34% said they go “Sometimes if I can,” while 4% had no opinion or chose another response. The data shows that fireworks are far from a universal experience, and the divide between tradition-holders and non-attendees reflects deeper demographic trends.
Income is one major factor. Fourteen percent of those who say fireworks are a tradition report household incomes of $400,000 or more. In contrast, 26% of those who skip fireworks fall in the $75,000 to $99,999 bracket—suggesting that higher-income individuals may be more likely to maintain the tradition.
Family dynamics also matter. Among tradition-holders, 55% are parents. Nearly half (48%) of those who aren’t into fireworks are neither parents nor grandparents, pointing to a stronger connection between fireworks and family-centered celebrations.
Where people live plays a role, too. Suburban residents account for 43% of those who consider fireworks a tradition. On the flip side, 23% of those who opt out live in rural areas. That gap may reflect differences in access to local events or community customs.
Gender and age further separate the two groups. Women make up 55% of those who view fireworks as a tradition, while men make up 53% of those who say they’re not interested. Older adults also tend to skip the spectacle—22% of non-attendees are 65 or older, whereas just 19% of tradition-holders are between 18 and 24.
Education level, however, shows little difference—31% of those who say it’s a tradition have a Bachelor’s degree, compared to 30% of those who don’t attend and have some college but no degree.
In the end, fireworks on the Fourth of July are more than just a show—they’re a reflection of who people are, where they live, and how they celebrate. For some, they’re an unmissable part of the holiday. For others, they’re simply not part of the picture.
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.