Midwest Shines Brightest: These States Import Highest Value of Fireworks per Person

From Memorial Day to the Fourth of July and beyond, fireworks are often crucial to celebrations.

However, recent tariffs will create a hurdle for Americans looking to light up the sky this year. Amid a trade war with China, from which the U.S. imports 96.3% of its fireworks, tariff concerns are skyrocketing.

Here’s a look at which states import and export the most fireworks. We’ll also cover the home insurance precautions homeowners should take.

Key findings

Missouri has highest per-capita fireworks imports

By state, Missouri imports the most fireworks per capita — ranking first for the second time in a row. Missouri imported $85.7 million in fireworks in 2024, or $13.84 per resident — significantly below the $20.40 per person it imported in 2022 (we last conducted this study in 2023).

Two other Midwestern states — Kansas ($8.79) and Nebraska ($7.02) — rank second and third. Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska have some of the most relaxed fireworks laws in the country, and the legal age to buy fireworks is just 14 in Missouri.

ValuePenguin home insurance expert and licensed insurance agent Rob Bhatt says homeowners in every state should be aware of the risks fireworks bring.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts imports the lowest value of fireworks per capita, at just $0.01. North Carolina ($0.02) and Minnesota ($0.10) follow. Massachusetts is the only state that bans all consumer fireworks purchases, while North Carolina and Minnesota restrict sales to nonaerial, nonexplosive fireworks (such as sparklers and other novelty fireworks).

Full rankings

States that import highest/lowest value of fireworks per person

Majority of fireworks imported from China

This year, the tariff war between the U.S. and China threatens to dim celebrations if communities or organizations haven’t already secured their fireworks. China is the U.S.’s biggest fireworks supplier, with 96.3% of its fireworks imports from there. The U.S. imported $452.0 million in fireworks from China in 2024.

That $452.0 million value would equate to $1.1 billion under a 145% tariff on Chinese exports to the U.S. (Note: On May 12, the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily roll back tariffs, lowering the 145% tariff to 30% for 90 days while talks continue. Under a 30% tariff, $452.0 million in value would equate to $587.7 million.) If all costs were passed on to U.S. fireworks buyers, it’s highly unlikely shows would remain the same.

Countries that export highest value of fireworks to U.S.

The next highest value came from Spain, at $9.7 million, or 2.1% of U.S. fireworks imports.

Trade wars with other countries will almost certainly affect consumers, Bhatt says.

"If tariffs are passed to buyers, organizations and communities are likely to skip or reduce fireworks purchases this year," he says. "Some communities may have to scale back their public fireworks demonstrations unless they can afford to increase their budgets for these items."

New York exports highest value of fireworks

U.S. states export fireworks, too. By state, New York exports the most: Of the $6.7 million in fireworks that U.S. states exported to other countries in 2024, $1.6 million came from New York. That’s 23.7% of the total.

Florida follows, at $1.2 million, or 18.5%. Tennessee rounds out the top three at $1.1 million, or 15.8%. These are the only three states with exports over $1 million. In total, 22 states export fireworks with attributable values.

However, it’s worth noting that all three states import more fireworks than they export. In 2024, New York imported $2.2 million in fireworks, while Florida imported $21.1 million and Tennessee imported $16.5 million.

Of the states that both import and export fireworks, just one exports more than it imports: Colorado. The Centennial State exported $862,000 in fireworks and imported $780,989.

Full rankings

States that export highest value of fireworks to other countries

Emergency room visits for fireworks injuries drop

Fireworks are inherently dangerous, but there’s some good news: The number of people treated in emergency departments for fireworks injuries has declined across the 2020s.

In fact, fireworks injuries have fallen 38.0% from 15,875 in 2020 to 9,844 in 2023. That decrease was most significant from 2020 to 2021, when fireworks injuries fell 26.6%.

That’s a stark difference from the years prior: Between 2019 and 2020, fireworks injuries jumped by 56.7%.

Emergency room visits for fireworks injuries by year

Bhatt says that’s likely a combination of better safety standards, product testing, industrywide safety awareness and improved product quality.

"The industry and regulators can likely share credit," he says. "The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) helps set safety standards to make sure these products operate safely. The industry has been receptive to continuously improving product standards and educating the public on safe usage."

By age group, those 10 to 19 were the most likely to be injured from fireworks from 2014 through 2023, accounting for 24.0% of emergency room visits. Those ages 20 to 29 and 9 and younger follow, accounting for 22.5% and 18.2% of injuries, respectively.

Firework injuries by age group

"Younger people tend to be more prone to risky behavior than those over 30," Bhatt says. "Much of this is related to the way our brains develop. People in their 20s tend to also be more physically coordinated than teens and preteens. Some teens and preteens may not yet have developed the physical and mental skills to avoid a dangerous situation with fireworks until it's too late."

Preparing for fireworks: Homeowner tips

As we prepare for another year of fireworks, Bhatt says it's important to maintain a safe environment in your home, especially when you host a gathering.

The liability coverage in most home insurance policies covers expenses like these, plus the costs of defending you in court. However, you're better off taking safety precautions to avoid being accused of negligence at all.

Bhatt says all homeowners should read CPSC safety tips on how to create a safe environment for celebrating Memorial Day and the Fourth of July (or any other holiday) with fireworks.