Frequently Asked Questions

A Census Block Group (CBG) is a geographical unit used by the United States Census Bureau. It is the smallest geographical unit for which demographic data is published.

Typically, Block Groups are very small and include a population of 600 to 3,000 people. There are 239,780 CBGs in the USA.

In every product, Locate sums the number of practitioners and all demographic data for all of the CBGs (including partial CBGs) in the search area to provide the most precise reflection of neighborhoods, natural areas, and geographical boundaries for true market reflection.

A typical suburban area in a 30-Minute Drive Time Search Area contains 200-600 CBGs.

 Click here to learn more about Locate’s Census Block Group Technology.

The Locate™ Platform is a proprietary online interactive system that includes the following:

• Demographic & Business Data – Current and Five Year Forecasted
• National Dental Practitioner Database
• Census Block Group Technology
• Mapping Integration
• Radius, Drive Time, User-Drawn, and Custom Polygon Search Areas
• Competition Ratios Analysis with Realratios
• Non-Compete, Non-Licensed Data Exclusion from Search Area
• Practitioner / Practice / Research Tracking Tool
• Standard Geographies
• Robust Product / Permission Capability 
• API Ready
• Customizable to include Customer Data
• SaaS Capability 
• Self-Service Ordering and Delivery Capability 

Yes. We understand that confidentiality is of the utmost importance and we will never disclose any discussions, conclusions or reports to anyone without your permission.

All reports are a snapshot in time. Therefore, due to the digital nature of the reports and that the data changes frequently, returns and refunds are typically unavailable. However, our policy is to provide unmatched customer satisfaction. If something isn’t right, or on the rare occasion that there is local knowledge that should be incorporated, please contact us. If it is our error, we will fix the study at no charge. Unfortunately, we have no control over the data results, so dissatisfaction with the results is out of our control.

Compile a list of regions or areas you’d like to explore during your live session to find a potential market with your ideal Population, Average Household Income, and Practitioner Competition Ratios (when applicable).

Your session will take place via Teams or Zoom. 

Yes, you can request a replay link within 24 hours of your session that will remain accessible for 90 days. 

Yes, Practitioner Competition Ratios are available for the Dental Industry. 

Demographic factors include Total Population and Average Household Income.

We obtain demographic data from a top 3rd party Demographic company that takes the raw census information, annual updates, and forecasts then packages it into a format that companies can utilize.  It is the same data used by everyone in the USA.

A Realratio is a proprietary competition ratio standard for each practice type that indicates the point where Locate considers a market to be saturated. Competition ratios are calculated by dividing total population (numerator) to practitioners (denominator). Locate compares the actual ratio for a given market to the Realratio to measure the degree of market saturation. For example, the Realratio for a General Dentist is 2,000. An actual ratio higher than 2,000 would generally indicate the market has potential for an additional practitioner(s). A ratio below 2,000 indicates the area is oversaturated and strategic plans should be carefully evaluated. 

After purchase, your Locate Specialist will be in touch within one to two business days to schedule your appointment. The scheduling of the session varies based on the availability of the participants.

Yes. Click here to download a free sample of the Location Demographics study here.

The best search parameters for your results will depend on if your location is rural, suburban, or urban. Major highways, bodies of water, and railroads may also affect your search parameters. We highly recommend scheduling a free consultation with a Specialist who will provide recommended guidelines based on your situation. Contact us today. 

We recommend the first parameter to reflect the market close to the base location – for example, a 3-mile radius for a typical suburban area.

The second parameter should approximate the overall market – for example, a 15-minute drive time. For either set, choose radius, drive time or custom polygon.

Custom polygons are hand-drawn to eliminate nonapplicable results due to noncompete restrictions, state lines, geographic factors, highways, natural boundaries, bodies of water, etc.

If you are unsure of the best search parameters for your situation, give us a call. It’s free. 

Demographic data includes:

• Total Population
• Population by Age Range
• Population Change by Age Range
• Average Per Capita Income
• Average Household Income
• Households by Income Brackets
• Households Change by Income Brackets
• Average Household Size
• Total Households
• Total Families
• Average Family Size
• Housing Units Breakdown
• Total Housing Units Change
• Average Value of Owner-Occupied Units
• Population by Ethnicity
• Total Number of Businesses
• Total Number of Employees
• Total Sales
• Retail Data

We obtain demographic data from a top 3rd party Demographic company that takes the raw census information, annual updates, and forecasts then packages it into a format that companies can utilize.  It is the same data used by everyone in the USA.

We strive to deliver your report within two to three business days.

Delivery time may vary based on the complexity of the order, the density of the report location, the inclusion of premium services, and many other factors.

Expedited delivery is available. Please consult with your specialist to make arrangements.

Your PDF results will be emailed to the address associated with your order when complete.

Yes. Click here to download a free sample of The Market Study here.

The best search parameters for your results will depend on if your location is rural, suburban, or urban. Major highways, bodies of water, and railroads may also affect your search parameters. We highly recommend scheduling a free consultation with a Specialist who will provide recommended guidelines based on your situation. Contact us today.

A “Pocket” is an term that indicates a potential market for a practice. We routinely find pockets where the competition ratios are high with Average Household Income levels greater than a threshold derived from your ideal target patient.

A Realratio is a proprietary competition ratio standard for each practice type that indicates the point where Locate considers a market to be saturated. Competition ratios are calculated by dividing total population (numerator) to practitioners (denominator). Locate compares the actual ratio for a given market to the Realratio to measure the degree of market saturation. For example, the Realratio for a General Dentist is 2,000. An actual ratio higher than 2,000 would generally indicate the market has potential for an additional practitioner(s). A ratio below 2,000 indicates the area is oversaturated and strategic plans should be carefully evaluated.

We utilize the best national practitioner database possible, as well as validating the existence of practitioners using various manual and internet tools to materially ensure the accuracy of competition ratios.

When reviewing competitive practitioners for a report, Locate can assign practitioners to more than one location when applicable. For example, if an orthodontist is only practicing out of one office in a search area 2 days a week, we can adjust this from showing as 100% in the search area to 40%. This more accurately reflects the practitioner’s impact on the market.

Demographic data includes Population, Average Household Income, and Projected Population for each Census Block Group within the search area. 

We obtain demographic data from a top 3rd party Demographic company that takes the raw census information, annual updates, and forecasts then packages it into a format that companies can utilize.  It is the same data used by everyone in the USA.

Delivery time may vary based on the complexity of the order, the number of top CBGs requested, the composition of the search area, the inclusion of premium services, and many other factors.

We strive to deliver your Study within 5-10 business days of purchase. Expedited delivery is available, please contact us to make special arrangements.

Your PDF results will be emailed to the address associated with your order when complete.

Yes. Click here to download a free sample of The Location Study here.

The best search parameters for your results will depend on if your location is rural, suburban, or urban. Major highways, bodies of water, and railroads may also affect your search parameters. We highly recommend scheduling a free consultation with a Specialist who will provide recommended guidelines based on your situation. Contact us today.

We recommend the first parameter to reflect the market close to the base location – for example, a 3-mile radius for a typical suburban area.

The second parameter should approximate the overall market – for example, a 15-minute drive time. For either set, choose radius, drive time or custom polygon.

Custom polygons are hand-drawn to eliminate nonapplicable results due to noncompete restrictions, state lines, geographic factors, highways, natural boundaries, bodies of water, etc.

If you are unsure of the best search parameters for your situation, give us a call. It’s free. 

A Realratio is a proprietary competition ratio standard for each practice type that indicates the point where Locate considers a market to be saturated. Competition ratios are calculated by dividing total population (numerator) to practitioners (denominator). Locate compares the actual ratio for a given market to the Realratio to measure the degree of market saturation. For example, the Realratio for a General Dentist is 2,000. An actual ratio higher than 2,000 would generally indicate the market has potential for an additional practitioner(s). A ratio below 2,000 indicates the area is oversaturated and strategic plans should be carefully evaluated. 

We utilize the best national practitioner database possible, as well as validate the existence of practitioners using various manual and internet tools to materially ensure the accuracy of competition ratios.

When reviewing competitive practitioners for a report, Locate can assign practitioners to more than one location when applicable. For example, if an orthodontist is only practicing out of one office in a search area 2 days a week, we can adjust this from showing as 100% in the search area to 40%. This more accurately reflects the practitioner’s impact on the market.

Demographic data includes:

• Total Population
• Population by Age Range
• Population Change by Age Range
• Average Per Capita Income
• Average Household Income
• Households by Income Brackets
• Households Change by Income Brackets
• Average Household Size
• Total Households
• Total Families
• Average Family Size
• Housing Units Breakdown
• Total Housing Units Change
• Average Value of Owner-Occupied Units
• Population by Ethnicity
• Total Number of Businesses
• Total Number of Employees
• Total Sales
• Retail Data

We obtain demographic data from a top 3rd party Demographic company that takes the raw census information, annual updates, and forecasts then packages it into a format that companies can utilize.  It is the same data used by everyone in the USA.

We strive to deliver your Study within two to three business days.

Delivery time may vary based on the complexity of the order, the density of the report location, the inclusion of premium services, and many other factors.

Expedited delivery is available. Please consult with your specialist to make arrangements.

Your PDF results will be emailed to the address associated with your order when complete.

Location Strategy is the #1 factor that determines the success of a business. It affects important aspects of a Business’s Strategic and Operational Plan and drives all investment, marketing, and personnel decisions. There are many factors that Locate considers within Location Strategy, including competition ratios and market saturation, demographics, future growth potential, building and office strategy, and much more. 

Click here to learn more about Location Strategy on the blog. 

A “Pocket” is a term we use in The Market Study that indicates a potential market for a practice.  It is normally made up of a small number of full or partial Census Block Groups. We routinely find pockets where the competition ratios are high and include Average Household Income greater than a threshold derived from your ideal target patient. 

Strategic Moves is a general term used to describe various business situations and actions an existing practice can consider or implement to evaluate. They include the following:

• Evaluate or justify a potential location
• Purchase a practice with the highest growth potential
• Consider relocating
• Consider adding an office
• Consider buying a specific building
• Consider leasing a specific building
• Consider renewing your lease or relocating
• Consider expanding your current location
• Purchase a practice at a fair price based on market
• Consider hiring an Associate and expanding
• Consider selling a practice
• Join a Practice as a Partner, Employee or Associate
• Speed up the location decision process

To save you time, money, and frustration, our process will prioritize the most important factors in your Location Search. This typically begins with Competition Ratios. You may have a location with great demographics, but if the market is saturated, it will be difficult to get found even with great marketing. Therefore, it may not make sense for you to pay for Demographics until the Ratio is ideal and the area is a good fit for your practice and family. Only after passing those benchmarks does it make sense to invest in the Demographics Deep Dive to find your perfect practice location. 

Our Recommended Search Process: 

1. Determine your region or city of interest for your new practice location and your family. Use the Live Market Finder for a high-level search if you are unsure of where to search.
2. Use The Market Study to find the Pockets in that region with the best competition ratios and ideal household income.
3. Evaluate the fit of the top Pockets for your practice, family, and lifestyle. Recommended doing so in person whenever possible.
4. Once the Pockets pass the above tests, use The Location Study to get Current and Forecasted Demographics and Practitioner Competition Ratios.
5. Take your Location Strategy results to your Commercial Broker and advisors to find the perfect location to buy, lease, or build.

It’s common to have a quick initial chat to ensure the best product and search parameters for your unique situation and goals. Contact us today.