CHICAGO -- The National Association of Realtors®, which has been America's largest trade and professional organization since the 1970s, is nearing one million members and has extended its lead significantly over the next largest contender. According to the latest membership data, NAR now boasts 907,738 Realtors, more than ever in the association's history.

At the end of 2002, membership had reached 876,195. NAR's previous high water mark came in 1989, with 822,935 members.

According to the Encyclopedia of Associations, the nation's next largest association is the National Federation of Independent Business with 607,000 members. Third place goes to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence with 400,000 members. The American Bar Association comes in fourth with 375,000 members. Compared to labor unions, NAR would rank among the top five, with more members than the Machinists with 500,000 but fewer than the Teamsters at 1.6 million.

"The healthy housing economy has certainly contributed to NAR's growth but so has the value Realtors receive from being members of our organization. Clearly, hundreds of thousands of real estate professionals believe the right to call themselves Realtors and the benefits of membership are important for their businesses," said NAR President Cathy Whatley, owner of Buck & Buck, Inc. in Jacksonville, Fla.

Benefits of membership include education and professional development, legislative and political advocacy, discounts on products and services, research products and services, publications and the right to be called a Realtor . Realtors are licensed real estate professionals who subscribe to NAR's strict code of ethics and belong to one of the nation's 1800 local Realtor boards and associations.

Membership in a local Realto board automatically includes membership in a state or territorial Realtor association and in the National Association of Realtors.

Published: June 6, 2003

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