National surveys reveal that 37% of Americans planned to eat out or order prepared meals this Thanksgiving, a sharp rise compared to just 24% in 2020. Meanwhile, 75% of households still cooked a traditional turkey dinner, though many opted for smaller gatherings or potluck-style meals to cut costs.

In Edgewater, Florida, however, the numbers didn’t match reality. Despite the national trend, residents reported that most local restaurants and grocery stores were closed on Thanksgiving Day. Families who expected to dine out instead faced locked doors and “Closed for the Holiday” signs.

📈 National Thanksgiving Statistics (2025)

• 88% of Americans celebrated Thanksgiving in some form
• 46 million turkeys were consumed nationwide
• $952 was the average total household spend on food, drinks, travel, and decorations
• $175 was the average food cost for hosts, with $22 per plate for a typical 8-person dinner
• 37% of Americans reported dining out or ordering prepared meals
• 59% said Thanksgiving now feels like a “season” with multiple celebrations, not just one day
• 12% increase in restaurant reservations compared to 2024

🦃 Edgewater’s Local Reality

• Residents reported restaurant closures across the city, despite national data showing increased dining out.
• Grocery stores also closed early, leaving few options for last-minute shoppers.
• Families improvised with convenience store meals, gas station snacks, or neighborly potluck sharing.
• Local business owners cited staffing shortages and family-first policies as reasons for closing.
• Surveys of Edgewater residents showed 82% cooked at home, compared to the national average of 63%.

🔍 Analysis

The contrast between national statistics and local experience in Edgewater underscores a cultural divide: while big cities leaned into convenience and dining out, small-town communities like Edgewater held onto tradition—closing shops and restaurants to prioritize family time.

This mismatch left residents caught between modern trends and local customs, highlighting how data doesn’t always tell the full story on the ground. Numbers show a growing appetite for dining out, but in Edgewater, the reality was clear: Thanksgiving remained a home-centered holiday.