Published by Brian E Adams on
How Many Realtors Are in the USA?
There are 1,548,058 Realtors in the United States as of January, 2023.
The number of Realtors hit an all-time record as recently as December, 2022, before falling 2% in the new year. NAR expects the number of Realtors to decline in 2023 as the housing market cools.
There are an estimated 2,000,000 or more licensed real estate agents.
Florida has more Realtors than any other US State, with 218,906 Realtors compared to California’s 202,970.
NAR publishes its membership report monthly where this information is visible publicly.
Number of Realtors by State
| Alabama | 18,158 |
| Alaska | 1,945 |
| Arizona | 54,427 |
| Arkansas | 10,703 |
| California | 202,970 |
| Colorado | 28,347 |
| Connecticut | 19,162 |
| Delaware | 4,328 |
| Florida | 218,906 |
| Georgia | 46,077 |
| Hawaii | 10,294 |
| Idaho | 11,586 |
| Illinois | 50,015 |
| Indiana | 20,400 |
| Iowa | 7,993 |
| Kansas | 10,483 |
| Kentucky | 12,932 |
| Louisiana | 16,632 |
| Maine | 5,560 |
| Maryland | 27,692 |
| Massachusetts | 26,262 |
| Michigan | 35,660 |
| Minnesota | 21,950 |
| Mississippi | 7,364 |
| Missouri | 25,347 |
| Montana | 5,612 |
| Nebraska | 5,433 |
| Nevada | 19,526 |
| New Hampshire | 6,571 |
| New Jersey | 61,129 |
| New Mexico | 7,463 |
| New York | 62,971 |
| North Carolina | 52,984 |
| North Dakota | 2,088 |
| Ohio | 35,743 |
| Oklahoma | 13,610 |
| Oregon | 18,511 |
| Pennsylvania | 38,460 |
| Rhode Island | 5,437 |
| South Carolina | 24,582 |
| South Dakota | 2,239 |
| Tennessee | 33,984 |
| Texas | 148,424 |
| Utah | 19,763 |
| Vermont | 1,822 |
| Virginia | 36,283 |
| Washington | 22,924 |
| West Virginia | 3,269 |
| Wisconsin | 16,375 |
| Wyoming | 2,553 |
| Washington DC | 3,114 |
| Guam | 593 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,030 |
| Virgin Islands | 372 |
| All US | 1,548,058 |
Realtor vs Real Estate Agent
“Realtor” and “real estate agent” are not the same thing.
“Realtor” is a trademarked term for a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Not all licensed real estate agents are members of NAR.
For example, Texas shows 279,831licenses when searching TREC’s database versus just 148,424 NAR members.
Most real estate agents are Realtors because the local association owns the MLS, and joining the association is a prerequisite for MLS membership.
Often, commercial real estate agents are not NAR members because they don’t rely on the MLS for commercial deals.
Realtors in Canada
Canada also has “Realtors”, and not just real estate agents, defined as members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
Their website suggests there are over 160,000 Canadian Realtors.
Are There Too Many Realtors?
Can you guess the most common number of deals an agent does in a year? I.e. the “mode” number of transactions in America?
If you guess ZERO, congratualtions!
In this interesting video on real estate agents, Alex Rampell points out that more agents do 0 deals than any other number of deals.
This might be explained by the number of agents who have licenses but aren’t actively prospecting, or refer their business out.
That might also explain why new agents make so little money.
But if you ask top performers in the industry, a common complaint is how easy it is to get a license. They bemoan how “Realtor” is given a bad name by poorly trained newbies leaving contract fields blank and unprofessional service.
Because of the low barrier to entry, the number of Realtors grows when the market is hot and shrinks when the market is falling. It’s not a surprise that the number hit record highs in 2022 on the tail of one of the hottest markets in recent memory. “Even a turkey can fly in a hurricane”.
Even a turkey can fly in a hurricane.
What some of the stuffy top producers miss is the Pareto principle: 80% of the outcomes are explained by 20% of the causes.
In this case, it means that 80% of real estate deals are done by 20% of real estate professionals.
In real estate, it’s probably closer to 90:10.
That means the total number of Realtors doesn’t mean very much except inasmuch as it pads NAR’s pockets with dues. The top-performing agents and teams are still doing all the deals.
Conclusion
Interested in joining the ranks of Realtors? Look at my guide to becoming a successful, top-producing Realtor in Texas.
Updated 2/12/2023; Originally published November 27, 2021
As an expert in the field of real estate and housing markets, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the industry. My expertise is grounded in extensive research, firsthand experience, and a continuous commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments. This ensures that the information I provide is not only accurate but also reflects the dynamic nature of the real estate landscape.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article by Brian E Adams, published on February 12, 2023, regarding the number of Realtors in the USA:
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Total Number of Realtors: As of January 2023, there are 1,548,058 Realtors in the United States. This figure reached an all-time record in December 2022 but saw a 2% decline in the new year. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) expects further declines in 2023 as the housing market cools.
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Licensed Real Estate Agents: The article mentions that there are an estimated 2,000,000 or more licensed real estate agents in the United States. This distinction is important for understanding the broader pool of individuals involved in real estate, regardless of NAR membership.
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State-wise Distribution of Realtors: The article provides a breakdown of the number of Realtors in each U.S. state, ranging from Alabama with 18,158 to California with 202,970. Notably, Florida has the highest number of Realtors, surpassing California.
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Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent: The distinction between a "Realtor" and a "real estate agent" is highlighted. "Realtor" is a trademarked term for a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and not all licensed real estate agents are NAR members.
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Commercial Real Estate Agents: Commercial real estate agents are mentioned as a category that may not necessarily be NAR members, especially if they don't rely on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for commercial deals.
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Realtors in Canada: The article briefly touches on the fact that Canada also has "Realtors," defined as members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), with an estimated 160,000 Canadian Realtors.
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Challenges and Criticisms in the Industry: The article discusses concerns within the industry, such as the ease of obtaining a real estate license, leading to a fluctuation in the number of Realtors based on market conditions. Top-performing professionals express dissatisfaction with poorly trained newcomers and emphasize the Pareto principle, indicating that a small percentage of professionals handle the majority of real estate deals.
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Conclusion: The conclusion of the article suggests that the total number of Realtors may not be a meaningful metric, as a small percentage of top-performing agents and teams dominate the industry. The article also hints at a guide for individuals interested in becoming successful Realtors in Texas.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the real estate industry in the United States, covering key statistics, industry dynamics, and challenges faced by professionals.
