When most people think of trailer parks, their ideas are shaped more by TV and headlines than reality—chaotic hubs of crime and poverty, or slapstick settings like 'Trailer Park Boys.' But with over 20 million Americans calling them home, these communities are far more complex.
Born out of necessity during the Great Depression, travel trailers meant for vacations became permanent homes for struggling families. Nearly a century later, trailer parks have evolved into rooted communities where millions of Americans—families, workers, retirees, and dreamers—live affordably and resourcefully.
Click through the gallery to explore the real social fabric behind one of America’s most misunderstood living arrangements.