Demographics

[Tom]

I am investigating an area for a new laundromat and I am wondering what a reasonable estimate is for the percentage of people who would likely use a coin laundry. I have a good estimate of the total number of people in the area and have counted up all the apartments and rentals in the area.

[Kitty]

I like to see the percentage of low income government housing and mill housing near the radius of the prospective mat.

Low income areas are the best, check the median income and check out all competition.

[Tom]

Thanks for the reply. Where is the best place to look to determine the income levels for any area? The particular area I am looking is an older beach type area where there are many apartments, most of which don't have hookups inside. The income levels are not really low but the facilities just don't exist. How would you estimate something like that. The next closest laundromats are about 6 miles away.

[CharlieS]

#1 Get a Claritas demographic report

#2 Join CLA, get their gold book

#3 Talk with Bryan Wallace (CLA) about demographics.

There was a recap of demographic analysis technique in last months Journal.

Charlie

[Kitty]

It all depends on where you are. I have gotten some form of demographics online. www.refdesk.com has some public records information listed on its site. Scroll around, you should find it and figure out how to access the information, as long as you are somewhat internet savy. The local chamber should have some type of documentation for the area you are looking at. If the area warrants a mat, there may be other reasons that no one else has ventured to that particular area. Research, research research.

[Todd]

Tom, the US census bereau has some decent info available online, but it is somewhat limited by different pre-determined radius' or zip code. It will break ethnic groups and ages down though, it's worth a look. As for a % of people that use a mat in the general pop. for an area, I don't think it's a number you can really put your finger on. There are too many other variables liek competition of other mats, w/d hookk ups in units, modernized laundry rooms at newer apartment complexes. Good luck