U.S. Delivery Statistics

Delivery and courier services have become a fundamental part of everyday life in the United States. From groceries and prescriptions to furniture and vehicles, Americans increasingly expect goods to arrive at their door quickly, reliably, and at low cost.

The rise of e-commerce, subscription services, and on-demand logistics has reshaped how goods move across the country. But how large is the US delivery industry? How many parcels are delivered each year? Who uses these services the most, and what do consumers expect from modern delivery services?

This article presents statistics on the U.S. delivery and courier industry, utilizing the most recent available data.

How Big Is the Delivery Industry in the United States?

The United States has the largest courier and parcel market in the world, both in terms of revenue and parcel volume.

As of 2024, the US courier, express, and parcel (CEP) industry is estimated to be worth over $210 billion annually. This figure includes domestic and international parcels, business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-business (B2B), and residential deliveries.

The size of the US market is driven by several factors:

• The scale of US e-commerce, which is the second-largest globally
• A large, geographically dispersed population
• High consumer expectations for fast delivery
• Strong demand for home delivery of bulky and high-value goods

The US alone accounts for approximately 40% of global parcel revenue, making it the most influential delivery market worldwide.

How Many Parcels Are Delivered in the United States Each Year?

The United States processes approximately 21 billion parcel deliveries annually. This includes residential parcels, commercial shipments, and last-mile deliveries linked to online shopping and subscriptions.

Let’s break down the figure to understand its scale!

• 1.75 billion parcels per month
• 404 million parcels per week
• Around 58 million parcels per day
• Over 2.4 million parcels per hour
• Roughly 40,000 parcels per minute
• More than 660 parcels per second

Parcel volumes have more than doubled since the early 2010s, largely due to the rise of online retail, mobile commerce, and same-day or next-day delivery options becoming standard.

How Many Deliveries Does the Average American Receive Each Year?

On average, each American receives between 60 and 65 parcels per year. However, this figure hides significant variation:

• Urban households typically receive far more deliveries than rural ones
• Younger adults and families receive more parcels than older individuals
• Remote workers and subscription users often exceed 100 deliveries per year

Households, rather than individuals, are often the better unit of measurement. The average US household now receives well over 150 deliveries annually, reflecting multi-person consumption and shared online purchasing.

How Fast Are U.S. Deliveries Growing?

The US delivery industry has seen sustained long-term growth, with short-term acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between 2013 and 2023:

• Annual parcel volumes increased by over 150%
• E-commerce-driven deliveries grew faster than overall retail sales
• Last-mile delivery became the fastest-growing segment of logistics
  

While growth rates have moderated since the pandemic peak, the industry continues to expand at mid-to-high single-digit annual rates, supported by structural changes in consumer behavior rather than temporary trends.

How Many People Work in the U.S. Delivery and Courier Industry?

The delivery and courier sector employs more than 1.5 million people across the United States.

This workforce includes:

• Drivers and couriers
• Warehouse and fulfillment staff
• Sorting and distribution center workers
• Dispatchers, planners, and logistics coordinators
• Customer service and operational roles

Employment has shifted significantly in recent years. Last-mile delivery roles have grown faster than long-haul logistics jobs, reflecting the increasing importance of residential delivery.

Which States Use Delivery Services the Most?

Population density, income levels, and the adoption of online shopping strongly influence delivery usage in the United States. Urban and suburban areas tend to generate higher parcel volumes due to shorter delivery distances, greater access to fast shipping options, and higher overall demand for home delivery. Regions with higher household incomes also place more frequent online orders, particularly for convenience-driven and high-value purchases.

States with the highest parcel volumes include:

• California
• Texas
• New York
• Florida
• Illinois
  

These states combine large populations, dense logistics infrastructure, and high consumer demand for fast delivery.

Why Do Americans Prefer to Shop Online Instead of In-Store?

Price and convenience are the primary drivers behind the shift to online shopping in the United States. More than half of US consumers say lower prices influence their decision to shop online, while over 50% cite convenience and time savings as a key factor. Selection also plays a role, with around 40% of shoppers preferring online stores for wider product availability. Delivery and returns further reinforce this behavior. Over 80% of online purchases require home delivery, and more than 40% of consumers say return policies affect where they shop, making online purchasing feel both easier and lower risk than visiting physical stores.

How Fast Do Americans Want Their Deliveries?

Speed expectations have risen sharply. Recent studies show:

• Over 60% expect next-day delivery as standard
• More than half consider same-day delivery important for certain purchases
• Nearly two-thirds are willing to pay extra for faster shipping

However, reliability and transparency are increasingly important. Consumers value accurate delivery windows, tracking updates, and predictable arrival times as much as raw speed.

A Smarter Way to Ship in the United States

As delivery volumes continue to grow across the United States, finding the right transport option matters more than ever. Shiply makes delivery simple by connecting customers with trusted transport providers already traveling their route. Whether you’re moving furniture, vehicles, motorcycles, or other large items, Shiply lets you compare quotes, choose the right provider, and save money, all in one place.

Get free delivery quotes today and see how Shiply makes shipping smarter, more flexible, and more affordable.

Sources: Investor Relationships, Yahoo Finance, Parcel and Postal Technology, Capital One Shopping, Pitney Bowes, Statista, McKinsey & Company, US Census Bureau, US Bureau of Labor Statistics