Veterinary Practices Market: ZIP 17868
Opportunity Score
32
/ 100
Challenging
Based on walkability, population density, income levels, and local business competition.
Market Summary
ZIP 17868 is an rural area with low foot traffic. with a population of 744 and household incomes near the national median ($72,297).
Area Profile
744
Population
$72,297
Median Income
-3% vs. national
Rural
Area Type
5.2/20
Foot Traffic
Very Car-Dependent
Median Age: 48.2 —
older demographic, may prefer sit-down options.
College-Educated: 24.9% —
value-focused market, keep prices competitive.
Operating Costs
Local cost levels affect space, labor, and operating expenses.
$990
2BR Fair Market Rent
$912
Median Gross Rent
$210 K
Median Home Value
Tips for Starting a Veterinary Business in Pennsylvania
- A veterinary practice costs $500K-$1.5M to start from scratch. Most new vets buy into existing practices or start mobile to reduce overhead.
- DEA registration, state veterinary license, and controlled substance permits all take time. Start applications 6 months before your target opening.
- Pet ownership rates vary by ZIP. Suburban areas with single-family homes consistently outperform dense urban cores for vet visit volume.
- Emergency and after-hours services command 2-3x standard pricing. Even offering limited emergency hours gives you a revenue edge in most markets.
- This is a rural ZIP. Your customer radius is wider, marketing costs are lower, but you'll work harder for each lead.
Quick Facts
- Area Type
- Rural
- Foot Traffic
- Very Car-Dependent
vs. National Average
Median Income
-3% vs. $74,580
Walkability
-5.3 pts vs. national avg
Nearby Markets
17822
2.1 mi
Pop: 0
Walk: 6.1
17821
2.6 mi
Pop: 18,787
$73,137
Walk: 10.3
17884
7.3 mi
Pop: 233
$41,875
Walk: 4.0
17860
8.2 mi
Pop: 2,605
$82,813
Walk: 5.3
17857
9.9 mi
Pop: 7,682
$64,306
Walk: 8.1
17865
11.2 mi
Pop: 15
Walk: 5.9
17824
11.3 mi
Pop: 3,840
$114,653
17801
12.1 mi
Pop: 16,229
$57,341
Walk: 10.2
Check Another Market
Or estimate costs with the VetCostCalc calculator.
About This Data
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau (ACS, ZBP) · HUD Fair Market Rents · EPA Walkability Index · USDA RUCA · IRS SOI · FDIC Summary of Deposits