Phone Psychic Reading Statistics: 2026 Data, Trends & Facts
How big is the psychic reading industry, how many people actually use it, and who are they? Below are the most current, source-backed statistics on psychic, astrology, tarot, and fortune-telling services in the United States - pulled from Pew Research Center and IBISWorld, with every figure cited.
Key psychic reading statistics (2026)
- $2.3BU.S. psychic services market size in 2025 (IBISWorld)
- 5.5%Annual market growth rate, 2020-2025 (IBISWorld)
- 103,340Psychic services businesses in the U.S. (IBISWorld, 2025)
- 30%of U.S. adults consult astrology, tarot, or a fortune teller at least yearly (Pew, 2024)
- 27%of U.S. adults believe in astrology (Pew, 2024)
- 14%use astrology, tarot, or fortune tellers at least monthly (Pew, 2024)
How big is the psychic services industry?
The U.S. psychic services industry - which includes phone psychics, mediums, tarot readers, astrologers, and fortune tellers - reached an estimated $2.3 billion in market size in 2025, according to IBISWorld. The industry grew at an average rate of 5.5% per year between 2020 and 2025, expanding another 2.2% in 2025 alone.
It is also highly fragmented: IBISWorld counts 103,340 psychic services businesses operating in the United States as of 2025, up 2.1% from the year before. That fragmentation is one reason phone-based services have grown - they let independent, hand-vetted readers reach clients nationwide without a storefront.
Demand tends to rise during uncertain times. IBISWorld notes that economic anxiety and a broader shift toward personalized, spiritual approaches to life's challenges have pushed psychic services further into the mainstream.
How many Americans use psychic and astrology services?
According to a Pew Research Center survey of 9,593 U.S. adults conducted in October 2024, 30% of U.S. adults consult astrology (or a horoscope), tarot cards, or a fortune teller at least once a year. Breaking that down by frequency:
- 14% engage with these practices at least monthly.
- 5% do so weekly.
- 6% specifically consult a fortune teller at least once a year.
Belief is meaningful but more modest than usage: 27% of U.S. adults say they believe in astrology - statistically unchanged from 29% when Pew asked the same question in 2017.
Why do people get readings - and how seriously?
Most people approach these services casually. Pew found that 20% of U.S. adults engage "just for fun," while 10% believe the practices offer helpful insights. When it comes to major life decisions:
- 5% say they rely on astrology, tarot, or fortune tellers somewhat for big decisions.
- 1% say they rely on them a lot.
In other words, the typical caller is curious and open, not credulous - which lines up with what honest readers will tell you: a good reading clarifies the patterns and likely direction in your life, it does not hand you a fixed future.
Who consults psychics? The demographics
Pew's 2024 data shows clear differences in who reaches out:
| Group | Believe in astrology |
|---|---|
| Women | 35% |
| Men | 18% |
| Women ages 18-49 | 43% |
| Lower-income adults | 37% |
| Upper-income adults | 16% |
LGBT adults are among the most engaged: 54% consult astrology or horoscopes yearly, 33% consult tarot cards, and 43% believe in astrology (rising to 63% of LGBT women who consult astrology). Adults under 65 are more likely to engage than those 65 and older.
Trends shaping psychic readings in 2026
- Steady, recession-resistant growth. A 5.5% five-year growth rate through a turbulent economy points to durable demand.
- The shift to phone and online. A fragmented, 100,000-business industry increasingly reaches clients remotely - by phone, chat, and video - rather than through storefronts.
- Casual, curious users. With most people engaging "for fun" or light guidance, low-pressure, transparent, affordable services fit how people actually use readings.
- Younger and more diverse. Usage skews toward adults under 65, women, and LGBT adults.
Sources
- Pew Research Center, "3-in-10 Americans Consult Astrology, Tarot Cards or Fortune Tellers" - survey of 9,593 U.S. adults, October 21-27, 2024 (published May 21, 2025). pewresearch.org
- IBISWorld, "Psychic Services in the US - Market Size, Industry Analysis (2025)." ibisworld.com
You are welcome to cite or reference these statistics with a link back to this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the psychic services industry in the U.S.?
The U.S. psychic services industry reached an estimated $2.3 billion in market size in 2025, growing at about 5.5% per year from 2020 to 2025, according to IBISWorld. There are roughly 103,340 psychic services businesses operating nationwide.
How many Americans use astrology, tarot, or fortune tellers?
According to a Pew Research Center survey of 9,593 U.S. adults in October 2024, 30% of U.S. adults consult astrology, tarot cards, or a fortune teller at least once a year, and 14% do so at least monthly. About 27% say they believe in astrology.
Do people rely on psychics for big decisions?
Mostly no. Pew found that 20% of U.S. adults engage 'just for fun' and 10% for helpful insights, while only about 5% rely on these practices somewhat, and 1% a lot, for major life decisions.
Who is most likely to consult a psychic or astrologer?
Pew's 2024 data shows women (35% believe in astrology vs. 18% of men), adults under 65, lower-income adults (37% vs. 16% of upper-income adults), and LGBT adults (54% consult astrology yearly) are the most engaged groups.