The average magazine single-copy cover price among the approximately 600 magazines audited by ABC rose by 1.6% last year, to $4.53, according to a Magazine Publishers of America analysis of publishers’ statements.

Average cover price for ABC magazines has increased by 41% since 1997 (when it was $3.22).

The average one-year basic (undiscounted) subscription price among ABC magazines rose 7.3% last year, to $27.83. That average basic price was just 2.7% lower than 10 years ago ($28.60).

Other data highlights from the just-released 2008/2009 edition of MPA’s Magazine Handbook:

• An analysis of MRI syndicated readership data shows that, in 2007, 85% of U.S. adults (187.4 million consumers age 18 or over) read magazines—the same percentage as in 2003.  Average number of issues read per month was 11.5, versus 10.9 five years ago.

• Consumer magazine titles (audited and unaudited) of all frequencies numbered 6,800 last year, up by about 100 versus 2006.

• ABC-audited consumer magazines reported total single-copy unit sales of 47.4 million in 2007, compared to 47.9 million in 2006. (Comics, annuals and international editions not included. Size of ABC membership varies slightly by year.)

• Single-copy sales accounted for 13% of total circulation for ABC titles, on average.

• Single-copy sales generated an estimated $3.2 billion, or 32% of total circulation revenue, for ABC publishers last year.

• Supermarkets (including supercenters/mass merchandisers) had a 44% share of magazine sales last year, versus 45% in 1998, according to Harrington Associates data.

• Bookstores had an 11% share (versus 8% in 1998); drugstores, 10% (same as ’98); discount stores, 9%; terminals 7% (4% in ’98); convenience stores 5% (6% in ’98); and newsstands 2% (3% in ’98).

• A 2006 PriceWaterhouseCoopers financial survey of 99 MPA member magazines showed that circulation accounted for 44% of total revenue, versus advertising's 56%.

The Magazine Handbook can be downloaded in PDF format from MPA’s site.