How Many Candle Makers Are In Usa?
Candle making has a long and storied history in the United States. From early settlers making candles out of animal fat to modern manufacturers utilizing complex production methods, candles have been an essential item for hundreds of years. While advancements in lighting technology have reduced the necessity of candles, they remain popular for their ambiance, scent, and decorative value.
Today, the candle making industry in the US is estimated to be worth over $3 billion annually. There are small artisanal candle makers selling at local craft fairs, major manufacturers distributing across the country, and candle making enthusiasts creating candles at home. The versatility and customization of candles have allowed the industry to adapt and thrive even with the onset of electric lighting. From birthday candles to scented jar candles to prayer candles, there are endless varieties crafted for all occasions and needs.
In this article, we will explore the breadth of the candle making industry in the US today. We will look at popular candle styles, major manufacturers, small businesses, distribution methods, and the future outlook of the candle trade. While candles are no longer a necessary utility, their continued prominence highlights their standing as an beloved cultural product and artistic medium.
History of Candle Making
Candle making has a long history in early America. Before electricity, candles were a vital source of light in homes, businesses, and public spaces. The earliest candles were made from tallow, which is rendered animal fat. Colonial women would save every bit of tallow from cooking and butchering to melt down and make candles. Candle making was a necessity and many women became quite skilled at the craft.
During the 1700s, spermaceti candles made from whale oil became popular. Spermaceti candles burned brighter and cleaner than tallow candles. The whaling industry thrived as the demand for whale oil grew. Workshops specializing in candle making started popping up in port towns that had access to whale oil.
In the early 1800s, paraffin wax was discovered as an alternative to tallow and whale oil. Paraffin was cleaner, burned longer, and was inexpensive. New England became the center of industrial candle making using paraffin wax. By the mid-1800s, candle making transformed from a domestic necessity to a booming commercial industry.
Modern Candle Making Industry
In recent years, there has been significant growth in the number of small and artisanal candle makers in the United States. This is partly driven by the popularity of handmade and natural products, as well as the ability for entrepreneurs to sell candles online through platforms like Etsy and Shopify. Many candle enthusiasts have started their own home-based businesses, selling candles at craft fairs, farmer’s markets, and online stores. This artisanal segment focuses on unique scents, creative designs, and high-quality ingredients like soy wax and essential oils. They differentiate from larger manufacturers by emphasizing hand-poured, small batch production.
The handmade candle category has become widely popular for gift-giving. Customers enjoy supporting small businesses and purchasing candles made locally in their communities. Social media has enabled these small candle companies to reach broader audiences. There are now thousands of makers across the country turning their candle craft into successful microenterprises. While limited in scale compared to major manufacturers, the growth of artisanal candle makers reflects a booming segment within the broader U.S. candle industry.
Major Candle Companies
The US candle making industry is dominated by a handful of major manufacturers and retailers that produce the majority of mass market candles sold. Two of the biggest names in candles are Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works.
Yankee Candle started in 1969 and pioneered the scented candle industry in America. The company offers a wide range of candle styles and iconic scents sold through their retail stores as well as other retailers. Yankee Candle remains one of the most recognized brands for scented candles.
Bath & Body Works entered the candle market in the 1990s and has grown to be one of the largest candle retailers globally. They specialize in fragrance-focused products including 3-wick candles, wallflowers, and fragrance mists. Bath & Body Works is known for fragrance innovations and seasonal collections that drive repeat purchases.
While smaller artisanal candle makers have grown in popularity, Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works still dominate the mass market scented candle industry. Their innovation in scents and styles keeps the companies at the forefront of consumer trends and interests.
Candle Making Associations
There are two major candle making associations in the United States that support candle makers and promote the art of candle making.
The National Candle Association (NCA) represents U.S. candle manufacturers, candle craftsmen, retailers, and suppliers. The NCA functions to further the interests of the candle industry, from lobbying government agencies to organizing the industry’s major trade show. Their membership includes over 175 companies involved in candle manufacturing, sales, and distribution.
The Candle Artisans Association (CAA) has over 500 members and supports smaller scale artisanal candle makers. The CAA provides education, networking opportunities, an annual conference, and other resources for independent candle makers and small candle businesses. They help connect and grow the artisanal candle making community.
Candle Making Workshops
Across the United States, there are hundreds of candle making workshops offered at the local and regional level. These workshops provide hands-on instruction for beginners looking to learn the craft of candle making as well as opportunities for more experienced candle makers to develop new skills and techniques.
Local craft stores, art studios, and community centers often host introductory candle making classes that teach basic methods like container candle pouring and votive making. More intensive candle making bootcamps and multi-day workshops are also available in many major cities and metro areas. These immersive workshops allow attendees to explore more advanced techniques like color mixing, wax blending, and creative embeds.
For those interested in starting a small business, there are candle making workshops focused specifically on topics like pricing products, branding a candle line, and marketing through platforms like Etsy and craft fairs. Workshops centered around seasonal and holiday candle making are also very popular.
In addition to in-person workshops, many candle makers now offer online workshops and video tutorials. These allow candle makers to learn techniques and connect with instructors remotely. While in-person workshops provide valuable hands-on experience, online workshops offer more flexibility and accessibility for those unable to attend local events.
Candle making workshops continue to grow in popularity across the country as more people discover candle making as a fun and fulfilling hobby or potential side business. The hands-on learning and creative community provided by workshops helps support and expand America’s vibrant candle making culture.
Home-Based Candle Making
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of home-based candle making businesses selling their products online or at local markets. Sites like Etsy have made it easy for hobbyists to turn their candle craft into a small business. A search on Etsy shows thousands of handmade candle shops from home crafters all over the country.
Many home-based candle makers sell their products at local farmer’s markets on weekends or special events. Setting up a booth at a farmer’s market provides an opportunity to sell candles directly to customers and get feedback. Some candle makers even rent space at local boutiques or gift shops to sell on consignment.
Social media and e-commerce sites provide another outlet for home-based candle businesses. Having an online store on Shopify or Etsy allows candle makers to sell nationwide or even globally. Sites like Instagram and Facebook also help candle businesses connect with customers and market their products.
The low startup costs of home-based candle making have made it an attractive small business for many entrepreneurs. With some basic equipment and supplies, creative individuals can experiment with unique candle scents and designs from their own home.
Retail Sales Data
Candles are a popular product in the United States, with total retail sales reaching an estimated $3.2 billion in 2021. This represents steady growth, as sales were approximately $2.9 billion in 2017. The top states for candle sales are California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. These five states make up over 40% of total US retail sales.
Some key trends show the candle market continues to grow. Sales of scented candles, especially soy candles, have risen as consumers look for natural home fragrance options. Retail sales of novelty and holiday candles like those for birthdays and Christmas also continue to expand. Ecommerce sales are taking up a larger portion of the market, now representing around 22% of total candle sales. Independent candle makers have benefited from platforms like Etsy to reach customers online.
Estimated Number of Candle Makers
While there is no definitive data on the exact number of candle makers currently operating in the United States, we can arrive at a reasonable estimate based on available information from industry associations and government databases.
According to the National Candle Association, there are approximately 200 candle manufacturing firms in the United States as of 2022, ranging from large-scale producers to small craft candle makers. The NCA estimates that total US candle production exceeds 2 billion pounds annually.
In addition to large manufacturers, data from the US Census Bureau shows over 5,000 firms categorized as candle or wax product manufacturers based on NAICS industry codes. Many of these are likely small home-based or craft candle businesses. Furthermore, well over 100,000 Etsy sellers identify as selling handmade candles.
Factoring in candle makers who sell locally through fairs, boutiques, and other channels, a conservative estimate would be that there are between 150,000 to 200,000 active candle makers selling products commercially in the United States today. This illustrates the thriving state of the candle craft in America.
Future of Candle Making
The future looks bright for candle making in the United States. Market research shows steady growth projected for the candle industry over the next several years. This growth will be fueled by increasing consumer demand for high-quality, artisanal candles.
Several trends are contributing to the continued growth of the candle market. There is a rising popularity of luxury, scented candles as home decor and gifts. Consumers are drawn to the ambiance and aromatherapy benefits provided by scented candles. There is also a growing demand for clean-burning, eco-friendly candles made from natural soy, beeswax, and other sustainable ingredients. Handmade and custom-poured candles from small businesses are surging in popularity as well.
The growth of e-commerce and social media makes it easier than ever for small candle businesses to find and connect with customers. Candle enthusiasts are eager to support local, independent candle makers. As more people discover candle making as a creative outlet and potential side business, the pool of candle makers is likely to expand. Candle making workshops and classes are more popular than ever.
While large manufacturers will continue dominating candle sales, the market has ample room for smaller artisanal candle makers to carve out a niche. As long as people enjoy ambiance, fragrance, and the warm glow of a flickering flame, there will be demand for hand-poured, homemade candles. The future looks bright for creative and passionate candle making entrepreneurs.
