Aggregate minerals, which include raw materials such as sand, gravel, and stone, are the building blocks of our cities and an integral part of the U.S. economy.
From being used to make the concrete that shapes our buildings to being the foundation of our roads, aggregates are necessary to maintain our quality of life. But just how much do we rely on these raw materials each year?
To explore the answer, this visualization from our sponsor Burgex uses forecast data from Mineralocity Aggregates to show how much crushed stone, sand, and gravel the U.S. is expected to consume in 2023.
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone is a versatile material that has a variety of uses in road and building construction, landscaping, and other industries. It is typically made from various types of rock, such as limestone, dolomite, and granite, that have been broken down into different sizes.
According to projections by Minerolocity Aggregates, the U.S. will consume 1.73 billion U.S. tons of crushed stone in 2023.
Taking its 100 lb/ft³ density into account, that is equivalent to a cube 3,259 feet high. That’s nearly double the height of the One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the U.S., standing at 1,776 feet as an homage to the country’s Declaration of Independence.
It’s also worth considering per capita usage to grasp the magnitude of aggregates we depend on in our daily lives. In 2023, each American is projected to account for the consumption of approximately 5.2 tons of crushed stone.
While crushed stone production is prevalent across the United States, here are some states that sold the most of this aggregate mineral in 2021.
| State | 2021 Crushed Stone Sales in Thousands of U.S. Tons |
|---|---|
| Texas | 187,393 |
| Florida | 104,609 |
| Pennsylvania | 96,673 |
| Ohio | 77,052 |
| California | 56,218 |
With 99% of all U.S. demand being met by domestic production in 2022, crushed stone is an integral part of the U.S. economy.
Sand and Gravel
Sand and gravel are essential natural resources that are widely used in construction and agriculture. They also have wide uses in industrial activities, such as glass manufacturing, foundries, and metal casting, as well as in recreational activities, such as volleyball courts, golf courses, and beaches.
In 2023, the U.S. is forecasted to consume 1.12 billion U.S. tons of sand and gravel. This is more than 3.3 tons per person.
Here are the top producers of sand and gravel in the United States.
| State | 2021 Sand and Gravel Sales in Thousands of U.S. Tons |
|---|---|
| California | 125,663 |
| Texas | 104,940 |
| Ohio | 38,801 |
| Florida | 23,920 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,529 |
Aggregate minerals are the building blocks of our modern lives.
With over 7,000 commercial aggregate companies operating in the U.S. (while contributing $31 billion to the economy in 2022), their importance to our lives and the economy should not be underestimated.
This article was published by Visual Capitalist on April 10th, 2023
Article/Editing: Selin Oğuz
Graphics/Design: Christina Kostandi
