6. Getting Local Data

When gathering other demographic data for other parts of the development process, collect data on vehicle ownership.  It is readily available by Census Tract.  In an ideal world, the city and its planning staff would conduct these analyses on their own, but unfortunately, we all know that that may be wishful thinking.

Below is a 10 minutes way to get city and census tract data on vehicle ownership rates that can be helpful in appealing to local governments.

Using Census to get Tract Demographics and Parking Statistics

    Steps              

        1. Find Census Tract Number (the Census website has access to maps to find tract numbers)

        2. Go To Census Home Page: http://www.census.gov/

        3. Click "Access Toolsî

        4. Click "STF3A"

        5. Select "Go to State level -- County" & "California"

        6. Choose County

        7. Choose Census Tract

        8. Choose Appropriate Data

                    H8.      Tenure (2)

                    H38.    AGGREGATE VEHICLES AVAILABLE(1) BY TENURE(2)

                 (Note: Lots of other relevant data like median income is available.)

        9. Submit Request

        10. You will receive four numbers, here is the example of a Census Tract in Oakland

Tract 4010: FIPS.STATE=06, FIPS.COUNTY90=001, FIPS.TRACT90=4010

TENURE

Universe: Occupied housing units

Owner occupied............................................................793

Renter occupied..........................................................1448

AGGREGATE VEHICLES AVAILABLE BY TENURE

Universe: Occupied housing units

Total:

  Owner occupied.........................................................1094

  Renter occupied........................................................1068

       11.  This data is easily converted into vehicle ownership rates (vehicles per household)

This table could be very effective in convincing the Oakland planning commission that its 1 space per unit requirement might not be appropriate for rental housing in this tract. 

Since these decisions are usually made at the city level, you may want to compare tract numbers with city wide numbers.  The data gathering process above can be repeated with the change in Step 5 to "Go to State level ñ Placeî. 

          Here is the tract data with the data pulled out for the city of Oakland:

These two table together could be compelling data that the neighborhood (tract 4010) could have circumstances which merit a lower minimum parking requirement. 

Notes:

If these statistics show higher vehicle ownership, compare the tract income to the income of your expected residents.