Eagle Scout Class of 2015, by the numbers

If you were to put the 2015 Eagle Scout class inside Yankee Stadium, you’d still have more than 4,000 Eagle Scouts without seats.

That gives you some idea how large the 2015 Eagle Scout class is — 54,366 members strong, representing an increase of 4.9 percent over 2014.

This was the fourth-biggest Eagle Scout class in history, trailing only 2012, 2010 and 2013.

First, please help me congratulate each and every one of those remarkable young men. To my fellow Eagle Scouts I say this: You’ve achieved greatness, but your journey has only just begun.

OK, now it’s time to do a deep dive into the 2015 Eagle Scout class. This week we’ll look at the numbers behind the number: total number of service project hours Eagle Scouts recorded, the average age of 2015’s Eagle Scouts, state-by-state Eagle rankings and much more.

Before continuing, let’s give a round of applause to the BSA’s Mike Lo Vecchio, who provides me with these numbers each year. This is one of my favorite posts to write each year, so let’s do this. 

How many young men became Eagle Scouts in 2015?

Exactly 54,366 young men became Eagle Scouts in 2015, which amounts to 6.57 percent of eligible Scouts. (Eligible Scouts is defined as registered Boy Scouts or male Venturers who are under 18).

The total is a 4.9 percent increase over last year’s Eagle Scout count (51,820) but 7.3 percent less than the all-time high of 58,659 in 2012. That year’s count was inflated as Scouts hurried to finish requirements in time for the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout award. (And get the 2012 Eagle Scout patch only given to guys who earned Eagle that year.)

Let’s stop and reflect on the 54,366 number. It’s remarkable to think that 54,366 new Eagle Scouts have entered society to make this world a better place. And to realize that 54,366 Eagle Scout service projects were finished, each leaving behind a positive impact on the Scout’s communities.

Speaking of service …

How many service hours did the 2015 Eagle Scout Class record while working on Eagle projects?

Young men who earned Eagle in 2015 combined to record 8,503,337 hours of service on Eagle projects.

That’s an average of 156.4 hours of service per Eagle project.

With the value of volunteer time at $23.07 an hour, that means Eagle Scouts and the volunteers they led contributed — drumroll, please — more than $196 million worth of time working on these projects.

Which region had the most Eagle Scouts in 2015?

Congrats to the Western Region! You boasted an impressive 18,317 Eagle Scouts last year.

Here’s how the other regions fared:

How many young men have become Eagle Scouts in past years?

Lots. As in millions. For the year-by-year look, go here.

Which state had the most Eagle Scouts in 2015?

See the state-by-state rankings here.

What was the average age of 2015 Eagle Scouts?

See the average age here.

What councils had the most Eagle Scouts in 2015?

Take these council rankings below with a big pinch of salt. Councils with more Scouts will, of course, have more young men earning the Eagle Scout award.

The number before the council name is the council number, which is used for record-keeping.