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This table presents detailed data on the quantities and values of construction sand and gravel sold or used in the United States, categorized by their specific end uses. This information is critical for understanding the distribution and economic impact of these essential materials across various sectors such as concrete production, road construction, and landscaping. By tracking these figures, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and economists can assess market trends, resource demand, and the overall health of the construction and infrastructure industries, which are vital components of the national economy.
Analysis of the data reveals that while the total quantity of construction sand and gravel used in 2023 slightly increased to 967 million metric tons from 959 million metric tons in 2022, the total value rose more significantly by approximately 11% to $12.1 billion. Concrete aggregates remain the largest use category by volume, with 104 million metric tons in 2023, though this represents a slight decrease from 106 million metric tons in 2022. Notably, the unit value for concrete aggregates increased from $13.52 to $15 per metric ton, indicating higher prices or improved product quality. Road base and coverings showed a modest volume increase from 50.0 to 51.0 million metric tons and a value jump from $467 million to $540 million. Some categories, such as golf course maintenance sand, saw substantial growth in both quantity (from 316,000 to 531,000 metric tons) and value (from $5.8 million to $10.5 million), reflecting rising demand. Additionally, miscellaneous industrial sand and gravel experienced a notable increase in quantity and value, with unit values decreasing from $57.06 to $16.32, suggesting a shift in product mix or pricing dynamics. Overall, the data indicates a stable but evolving market with price increases across most categories, underscoring the ongoing importance of these materials in construction and related industries.
| TABLE 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| CONSTRUCTION SAND AND GRAVEL SOLD OR USED IN THE UNITED STATES, BY USE1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 20222 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Quantity | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||
| (thousand | Value | Unit | (thousand | Value | Unit | ||||||||||||||
| Use | metric tons) | (thousands) | value | metric tons) | (thousands) | value | |||||||||||||
| Concrete aggregates (including concrete sand) | 106000 | 1430000 | 13.52 | 104000 | 1570000 | 15 | |||||||||||||
| Plaster and gunite sands | 1980 | 31500 | 15.87 | 1800 | 32500 | 18.04 | |||||||||||||
| Concrete products (blocks, bricks, pipe, decorative, and so forth) | 2670 | 36900 | 13.79 | 1430 | 18100 | 12.7 | |||||||||||||
| Asphaltic concrete aggregates and other bituminous mixtures | 25600 | 331000 | 12.93 | 22400 | 315000 | 14.08 | |||||||||||||
| Road base and coverings | 50000 | 467000 | 9.34 | 51000 | 540000 | 10.6 | |||||||||||||
| Road stabilization, cement | 1520 | 20000 | 13.19 | 981 | 9260 | 9.44 | |||||||||||||
| Road stabilization, lime | 834 | 6390 | 7.66 | 1130 | 11400 | 10.09 | |||||||||||||
| Fill | 37300 | 363000 | 9.74 | 30800 | 365000 | 11.87 | |||||||||||||
| Snow and ice control | 1270 | 13500 | 10.62 | 1050 | 11400 | 10.83 | |||||||||||||
| Railroad ballast | 210 | 3020 | 14.38 | 205 | 3410 | 16.61 | |||||||||||||
| Roofing granules | W | W | 3.27 | W | W | 80.76 | |||||||||||||
| Filtration | 511 | 6880 | 13.46 | 442 | 6210 | 14.04 | |||||||||||||
| Golf course maintenance sand | 316 | 5820 | 18.41 | 531 | 10500 | 19.85 | |||||||||||||
| Drainage rock, rip rap, or boulders | W | W | 15.44 | 3720 | 61800 | 16.62 | |||||||||||||
| Decorative or landscape rock | 77 | 1250 | 16.35 | 2320 | 57900 | 24.91 | |||||||||||||
| Masonry sand | -- | -- | -- | 2930 | 42300 | 14.45 | |||||||||||||
| Pea gravel | -- | -- | -- | 3580 | 52100 | 14.56 | |||||||||||||
| Pipe bending | -- | -- | -- | 1050 | 11600 | 11.1 | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous industrial sand and gravel | 216 | 12300 | 57.06 | 2300 | 37600 | 16.32 | |||||||||||||
| Hydraulic fracturing sand | 336 | 14800 | 44.09 | 1330 | 47800 | 36.01 | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous crushed stone | -- | -- | -- | 4300 | 67900 | 15.77 | |||||||||||||
| Unspecified or miscellaneous sand | -- | -- | -- | 5900 | 47100 | 7.99 | |||||||||||||
| Unspecified or miscellaneous gravel | -- | -- | -- | 5780 | 77700 | 13.44 | |||||||||||||
| Other miscellaneous uses and specified uses not listed | 6110 | 105000 | 17.25 | 1750 | 29900 | 17.12 | |||||||||||||
| Unspecified:3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reported | 231000 | 2520000 | 10.91 | 241000 | 2830000 | 11.73 | |||||||||||||
| Estimated | 493000 | 5510000 | 11.17 | 475000 | 5880000 | 12.38 | |||||||||||||
| Total or average | 959000 | 10900000 | 11.35 | 967000 | 12100000 | 12.54 | |||||||||||||
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in “Other miscellaneous uses and specified uses not listed". -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through November 26, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits, except “Unit value”; may not add to totals shown.
2Estimated quantities have been recalculated.
3Reported and estimated production without a breakdown by end use.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Sand and Gravel, Construction statistics | Mineral commodity prices