Projected Job Growth & Population Growth of U.S. Cities

Operating on the assumption that Projected Job Growth & Population Growth are key factors in determining which U.S. cities may present the best places to invest in multi-family properties, does anyone know of a good, comprehensive, reliable source for such predictions for '08?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:57AM

Edwina Johnston

· Seattle, WA

7 posts

Icon_minipost Apr 13 '08, 01:33 AM

Have you looked into Seattle, Washington. Multiple large employers, constantly growing, etc.

Edwina

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:02AM

Jeff Weissman

Residential Real Estate Agent · Oakland, California

68 posts
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Icon_minipost Apr 15 '08, 10:21 AM

Yes, I like the Seattle area a lot. Purchased 3 fourplexes in Tacoma a few years ago. Closer in to Seattle is quite expensive. Nevertheless, my question is intended to help me & other investors locate a reliable source of demographic projections and researched data so we can move away from exactly this kind of hearsay and chat (" have you tried" and " I like the ...area."

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:03AM

Jason Jones

Real Estate Investor · Thousand Oaks, California

61 posts
1 Award

Icon_minipost Apr 15 '08, 11:02 PM

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been looking for the same data. For California, you can go to CAR.org and check out some of the market data they have, but I'd love to find more. The problem is the last census was in 2000, so all the data I've found is outdated. I heard they are preparing for another census later this year, or maybe early next. However, it will probably take them another year to publish the results :)

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:03AM

Jeff Weissman

Residential Real Estate Agent · Oakland, California

68 posts
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Icon_minipost Apr 16 '08, 09:51 AM

Quite right, Jason. Census data from 2000 is pretty useless now & that's why I'm looking for sites that rely on other sources. There must be a R.E. agent/broker out there who knows something about this, wouldn't ya think?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:03AM

Ram Chandrasekaran

Real Estate Investor · Milpitas, California

137 posts
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Icon_minipost Apr 16 '08, 09:57 PM

Hey Guys
Have you tried www.bestplaces.net. I use that and other websites. I start my research in that order (below):

1. www.trulia.org - Shows the Heat Map and the average price in the city you are looking for properties and neighboring Zip Codes
2. www.bestplaces.net - shows the population, expected population growth, pollution, schooling, spending on schools, job growth, rental vacancy rate, etc. compares with National Average
3. www.ofheo.gov - gives you the complete of list of appreciating and depreciating cities nationwide - Downloadable PDF
4. www.huduser.org - fair market rents - downloadable Excel. Consists of almost all counties across the nation

Hope that helps.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:03AM

Jason Jones

Real Estate Investor · Thousand Oaks, California

61 posts
1 Award

Icon_minipost Apr 18 '08, 03:00 AM

Nice find... I think site number 2 & 4 are exactly what I'm looking for.

Thanks for sharing!!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:04AM

Jeff Weissman

Residential Real Estate Agent · Oakland, California

68 posts
68 Influence
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Icon_minipost Apr 19 '08, 11:19 PM

Dear RAMSFO,
Thank you so much for turning us on to these sites! I'll definitely check them out. I see you're nearby in Concord. Are you interested in starting up a " side" conversation via email, just to chat about R.E. investing (I'm not a beginner & love to connect to others who are very into this business)?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:04AM

Ram Chandrasekaran

Real Estate Investor · Milpitas, California

137 posts
101 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Apr 20 '08, 05:50 AM

Glad you guys find it helpful.

Hey Weissman
Sure, we can catch up on email. I will go ahead add you to my colleague list. BTW, I am sort of a beginner with RE Investing but yet would like to hear from you and gain more knowledge.

Cheers

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:04AM

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Eliza Parsons

Real Estate Investor · Costa Mesa, California

37 posts
56 Influence
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Icon_minipost Nov 27 '08, 09:17 AM

Forbes.com publishes an annual list called Best Places for Businesses and Careers. You can even filter by projected job growth.

Also check out Economy.com. I think most, if not all their reports cost money though, but many other reports are based of of their info.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:29AM

Frances L

Homeowner · Abington, Pennsylvania

51 posts
107 Influence
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Icon_minipost Jan 01 '09, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by Ram Chandrasekaran

Hey Guys

2. www.bestplaces.net - shows the population, expected population growth, pollution, schooling, spending on schools, job growth, rental vacancy rate, etc. compares with National Average
.

I just checked the data from

19040- Hatboro
19038- Glenside
19046-Jenkintown --11.46 percent.
19090- Willow Grove- Home appreciation the last year has been -1.92 percent.
19027-Elkins Park Home appreciation the last year has been -7.58 percent
19006- Huntingdon Valley Home appreciation the last year has been 7.67 percent.
19031- Flourtown -10.41 percent

I do not know why those cities are pretty closed by and less than 30 minutes drive.the home appreciation is quite different.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:49AM

C Martinez

Property Manager · Denver, Colorado

35 posts
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Icon_minipost Jan 03 '09, 03:48 AM

The ULI (Urban Land Institue) is a great source. Their reports are going to cost you but they are serious academic research not marketing.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:49AM

Frances L

Homeowner · Abington, Pennsylvania

51 posts
107 Influence
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Icon_minipost Jan 19 '09, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by Eliza Parsons

Forbes.com publishes an annual list called Best Places for Businesses and Careers. You can even filter by projected job growth.

Here is 2008
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/19/best-business-cities-biz-bestplaces08-cx_kb_0319places_land.html

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:59AM by Frances L

Jon Rickey

Real Estate Investor · Mukilteo, Washington

1 post
19 Influence

Icon_minipost Oct 25 '11, 09:10 PM

Jeff, I saw your post while doing some research. The attached website was linked from the Dept of Labor. Hope it is helpful. In addition to other poster's ideas I also subscribe to Expansion Management online mag and Site Selection online mag to keep up with where companies are expanding and relocating to. Marcus & Millichap also have some good resources in their research division.

http://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm

Would love to discuss commercial RE with you. I do not yet own a MF property but am working towards that goal. Spent the last 7 years developing and buying SF.

Jon