Urbanicity Data
Urbanicity
The degree to which a given geographical area is urban. Claritas introduces Urbanicity, an indicator for micro geographies (Census tract and Block group only), optimized for businesses that provide retail goods and services to consumers and businesses.
NOTE: Availability and access based on license.
Methodology
The methodology for creating Urbanicity utilizes demographic models based on Claritas proprietary American Marketscape DataStream (AMDS) population projections. The 5-point classification is based on the neighborhood and surrounding areas’ population count and density.
Why Urbanicity is an Optimal Business Solution
Several alternative urban-rural classifications are not suitable for most business purposes. The U.S. Census urban-rural dichotomy lacks granularity for the urban-rural continuum, while the urbanization and urbanicity classifications from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Education, and National Institute of Health are designed for use in nutrition, educational, and epidemiological studies.
Urbanicity’s business-oriented approach makes it the measure of choice for companies that need to identify locations most suitable for appropriate products and services, or wanting to increase relevancy of marketing messages.
Urbanicity Indicators
| Retail and Services Market Type | Typical Attributes* |
|---|---|
| 1 - Dense Urban Core |
Population density >=15,000 persons per square mile. Hub for multi-modal public transportation; frequent local public transportation and owning a personal vehicle is optional; central business district with expanded regional influence and often many national headquarters; all types of retail and services, flagship stores are common |
| 2 - Urban |
Population density 8,000 to 15,000 per sq. mi. and total area population over 500,000. Central business district has regional influence that may extend 50-100 miles; served by many independent and national chain retailers and service operators, multiple super-regional malls within the urban area; public transportation includes bus and often light rail and/or subways. |
| 3 - Suburban |
Population density 2,000 to 8,000 per sq. mi. and total area population over 100,000. Many types of community and neighborhood national chain retailers and service providers, regional malls are common. Public transportation includes bus and occasionally light rail. |
| 4 - Small Market |
Population density 1,000-3,000 in town and quickly tapering to rural density with area population greater than 40,000. Usually has chain supermarkets and superdrug stores, often has a home improvement center and discount department store. Often located at junction of major highways. |
| 5 - Rural |
Population density <=800 persons per square mile. Town population less than 20,000; few or no major chain retailers. |
*Population counts and densities are typical for each category and are not absolute break points.