Youth Swim Participation Falls 23% Since 2019
A new Aspen Sports Institute report finds fewer six- to 12-year-olds are swimming on teams, with declines steepest among families earning under $25,000 a year.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Swimming
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Youth swim team participation among six- to 12-year-olds fell 23% from 2019 to 2025, according to an Aspen Sports Institute report. Only five sports, including basketball, soccer and tennis, showed core participation growth among that age group over the same period.
Why it matters
The drop comes as USA Swimming membership fell from roughly 411,000 in 2019 to 379,000 in 2024, a period that included a proposed 250% club dues increase. Lower-income families appear most affected, raising questions about access to the sport across the United States.
Participation among six- to 12-year-olds fell 23% and among 13- to 17-year-olds more than 39% from 2019 to 2025. USA Swimming's 2019 membership of roughly 411,000 fell to 379,000 by 2024.
The players
USA Swimming
The national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States, which oversees club membership and development programs.
Kevin Ring
The chief executive of USA Swimming since September 2025, who leads the organization's efforts on membership and development.
Aspen Sports Institute
The research organization whose report measured the decline in youth swim participation from 2019 to 2025.
The details
The Aspen Sports Institute report found that only basketball, flag football, golf, soccer and tennis grew among six- to 12-year-olds during the period, and only golf and tennis grew among 13- to 17-year-olds. In July 2024, USA Swimming proposed a 250% club dues increase, which was negotiated down; it was the first dues update since 1990. Some clubs have affiliated with the Amateur Athletic Union in recent years.
Timeline
2019: USA Swimming records roughly 411,000 members.
2019 to 2025: Six- to 12-year-old swim participation falls 23%.
July 2024: USA Swimming proposes a 250% club dues increase.
2024: USA Swimming's official membership figure drops to 379,000.
September 2025: Kevin Ring becomes USA Swimming CEO.
Season Trajectory
The Aspen Sports Institute's six-year tracking shows only basketball, flag football, golf, soccer and tennis gaining youth participation. Swimming's 23% drop among six- to 12-year-olds places it among the sports losing ground in that comparison.
Families weighing club swimming costs now face a sport whose governing body has changed its dues structure and leadership. The steepest declines are among families earning under $25,000 a year, so cost is the factor most likely to shape enrollment decisions.
The takeaway
Participation trends suggest cost and access, not only interest, are shaping who stays in youth swimming. Families comparing club options may want to ask about fees and financial assistance before enrolling.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SwimSwam.
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