Original analysis of US Census data for retail site selection: downtown trade areas, metro comparisons and how to read demographic data. Every figure comes from the American Community Survey and is explained, with sources.
Data Study · 7 min read
Population, income, age and renters within 3 miles of City Hall in the principal cities of the 25 largest US metros, from US Census ACS 2018–2022 data. Populations range from 66,046 to 965,199.
Trade Area · 5 min read
Measured with US Census data: moving from a 1-mile to a 5-mile radius around downtown multiplies the population by anywhere from 6.4x to 36.8x, and median income can move sharply in either direction.
Data Study · 4 min read
In 12 of 25 large US cities, households within 3 miles of City Hall have a higher median income than the metro area as a whole. Census data for 25 downtowns.
Data Study · 4 min read
Adults aged 18–34 make up between 21.1% and 26.8% of the population in the 50 largest US metros, and a larger share of all 25 downtowns we measured. US Census ACS 2018–2022 data.
Data Study · 3 min read
Renter-occupied homes range from 29% to 51% across the 50 largest US metros, and all 25 downtowns we measured are renter-majority. Census ACS 2018–2022 data.
Data Study · 4 min read
Comparing ACS 2013–2017 with 2018–2022 for 49 of the 50 largest US metros, on unchanged county boundaries: population change ranges from -1.1% to +14.8%, and inflation-adjusted median household income rose in all 49 of them.
Data Study · 3 min read
The share of households earning $125,000 or more ranges from 21% to 58% across the 50 largest US metros. Why the income distribution matters more than the median.
Data Study · 6 min read
Census data on the industries employed residents work in, across the 50 largest US metros: where finance, professional services, healthcare and education, hospitality and manufacturing jobs are most concentrated.
Telecom · 4 min read
We scored the 3-mile downtown trade area of 25 major US cities against the demographic profile prepaid wireless retailers look for. 22 score 80 or higher, including several high-income cores where density, renters and young adults outweigh the income deduction.
Methodology · 4 min read
The data sources, calculations and limitations behind every Demografics report: ACS 5-year estimates, census tracts inside a radius, weighted medians, competitor counts and how the scores work.