Veterinary Practices Market: ZIP 98503
Opportunity Score
63
/ 100
Good
Based on walkability, population density, income levels, and local business competition.
Market Summary
ZIP 98503 is an urban area with moderate foot traffic. with a population of 42,189 and household incomes above the national median ($87,515). There are 7 veterinary practices operations in ZIP 98503.
Area Profile
42,189
Population
$87,515
Median Income
+17% vs. national
Urban
Area Type
12.2/20
Foot Traffic
Walkable
Median Age: 40.6 —
older demographic, may prefer sit-down options.
College-Educated: 22.8% —
value-focused market, keep prices competitive.
Competition
Veterinary Practices and related businesses in ZIP 98503.
7
Veterinary Practices
Moderate — proven market
1.7 per 10K residents
4
Pet Care Services
0.9 per 10K residents
What this means:
Veterinary Practices are 63.6% of the relevant market in ZIP 98503 (7 vs. 4 related businesses).
Well-established market — differentiation is non-negotiable.
Operating Costs
Local cost levels affect space, labor, and operating expenses.
$1,820
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,673
Median Gross Rent
$410 K
Median Home Value
13
Bank Branches
$1.5 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
- Walkable
- Veterinary Practices
- 7
- Related Businesses
- 4
- Bank Branches
- 13
vs. National Average
Median Income
+17% vs. $74,580
Walkability
+1.7 pts vs. national avg
Nearby Markets
98513
4.6 mi
Pop: 37,953
$108,270
Walk: 10.7
98516
5.2 mi
Pop: 28,286
$92,191
Walk: 11.3
98501
6.5 mi
Pop: 46,937
$95,695
Walk: 10.6
98506
7.9 mi
Pop: 18,763
$93,968
Walk: 12.5
98327
10.8 mi
Pop: 9,952
$114,423
98303
11.7 mi
Pop: 1,341
$72,074
98351
12.2 mi
Pop: 1,832
$145,613
98505
12.9 mi
Pop: 636
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