Higher Vacancy Rates in Walkable Neighborhoods

In comparing data collected during the 2010 Census, walkable neighborhoods are shown to have greater vacancy rates than the cities they're in.

1 minute read

June 21, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg

This post from Cubit Planning's Kristen Carney explores the numbers, which went against her own assumptions.

"I hypothesized that a socially redeeming characteristic of walkable neighborhoods would be a lower than average vacancy rate. More people buying property in walkable neighborhoods means more real estate taxes–which fund our public services. And haven't we all been reading articles about how Gen Y loves living in dense urban areas, and how 58 percent of American would prefer to live in a neighborhood where stores are within an easy walk?

Well, the Census 2010 data indicate that walkable neighborhoods have higher vacancy rates than their surrounding cities. Only Dupont Circle in DC and City Center East in Philadelphia have slightly lower vacancy rates than their surrounding cities. Every other walkable neighborhood had a higher vacancy rate than its surrounding city. Topping the chart is Core in San Diego with a vacancy rate of 24.6% while San Diego city has a vacancy rate of 6.4%."

FULL STORY: Walkable Neighborhoods have Higher Housing Vacancy Rates per Census 2010 Data

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 in Plannovation

Housing Transportation Urban Development United States Census Data vacancy rates Walkable Neighborhoods View More

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