Definition
The total count of residential units in a given area, whether occupied or vacant.
Why It Matters
This is the fundamental measure of housing supply in a region. It indicates the overall capacity for residential habitation, which is crucial for urban planning, infrastructure development, and understanding the basic scale of the housing market.
Specific Relevance for Professionals:
Marketers
Provides the raw potential market size for home-related products and services, such as furniture, appliances, home insurance, or utility services. It helps in assessing the physical inventory for housing-related campaigns.
Researchers
Fundamental for studying housing supply and demand, urban development patterns, and the relationship between population growth and housing stock. It acts as a base figure for calculating vacancy rates or occupancy ratios.
Consultants
Crucial for real estate development feasibility studies, market assessments for construction materials, or advising clients on investment in residential infrastructure based on the overall housing stock.
Public Policy Workers
Paramount for urban planning, zoning decisions, infrastructure development (e.g., water, sewer, electricity connections), and assessing the capacity of a jurisdiction to accommodate its population.
