Veterinary Practices Market: ZIP 98226
Opportunity Score
53
/ 100
Fair
Based on walkability, population density, income levels, and local business competition.
Market Summary
ZIP 98226 is an urban area with low foot traffic. with a population of 45,739 and household incomes above the national median ($79,684). There are 5 veterinary practices operations in ZIP 98226.
Area Profile
45,739
Population
$79,684
Median Income
+7% vs. national
Urban
Area Type
6.9/20
Foot Traffic
Car-Dependent
Median Age: 40.9 —
older demographic, may prefer sit-down options.
College-Educated: 29.2% —
balanced market for quality & value.
Competition
Veterinary Practices and related businesses in ZIP 98226.
5
Veterinary Practices
Low competition — room to establish
1.1 per 10K residents
7
Pet Care Services
1.5 per 10K residents
3
Pet Stores
0.7 per 10K residents
What this means:
Veterinary Practices are 33.3% of the relevant market in ZIP 98226 (5 vs. 10 related businesses).
Well-established market — differentiation is non-negotiable.
Operating Costs
Local cost levels affect space, labor, and operating expenses.
$1,570
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,557
Median Gross Rent
$570 K
Median Home Value
14
Bank Branches
$1.8 M deposits
Tips for Starting a Veterinary Business in Washington
- 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.
Quick Facts
- Area Type
- Urban
- Foot Traffic
- Car-Dependent
- Veterinary Practices
- 5
- Related Businesses
- 10
- Bank Branches
- 14
vs. National Average
Median Income
+7% vs. $74,580
Walkability
-3.6 pts vs. national avg
Nearby Markets
98225
5.8 mi
Pop: 50,355
$62,220
Walk: 10.1
98229
6.7 mi
Pop: 33,919
$90,068
Walk: 8.0
98247
10.7 mi
Pop: 8,924
$84,300
Walk: 4.2
98264
10.7 mi
Pop: 22,365
$95,225
Walk: 7.3
98276
11.9 mi
Pop: 1,547
$85,781
98248
14.0 mi
Pop: 28,061
$88,566
98240
16.7 mi
Pop: 3,208
$106,256
98220
18.1 mi
Pop: 558
$142,891
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