Two people told this is true and I am trying to confirm for an article (due yesterday) that the San Francisco Haight zip code 94117
has the most bicycle shops (repair and or sales second hand or new) of any zip code in the country. I have checked using all the search engines I can think of and newspaper sites, and trade papers available on the web. So I am asking you bicycle/rad ref folks. Thanks!
According to one of our librarians, and somewhat surprisingly, this information may be available in the US census. He wrote:
"This kind of information probably should be part of the US Economic Census of 2002.
There's this page regarding California data:
http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/02EC_CA.HTM
It says
'2002 Economic Census ZIP Code Statistics U.S., states, ZIP Codes projected mid 2006,' so data by ZIP code would not be available yet.
The census uses NAICS codes to identify kinds of businesses. Bike shops are 451110. Bike repair shops (that do not retail bikes) are defined as 811490.
1997 data only goes down to retail trade: http://www.census.gov/epcd/ec97zip/ca/CA94117.HTM. We might have some more data on CD-ROM.... I'll let you know if I find anything."
Another librarian wrote:
"Also if you have access to the database REFERENCE USA, which might be listed on any public library website under phone books or business references, you can limit your search to zip codes, Yellow Book/SIC headings, and business size."
I searched the Census website, www.census.gov, for information. The North American Industry Classification System has an index entry for "NAICS 811490: Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance," the definition of which states, "Establishments in this industry repair items, such as garments; watches; jewelry; musical instruments; bicycles and motorcycles; motorboats, canoes, sailboats, and other recreational boats." Perhaps the figure you are researching comes from the NAICS' "Geographic Distribution -- Other personal and household goods repair and maintenance: 1997" figures.
This page lists California at the top of the state list: http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/def/ND811490.HTM.
Clicking through on California, limiting to Alameda county, give us this page: http://www.census.gov/epcd/ec97/ca/CA001_81.HTM#N811.
There are 58 establishments, but of course not all of them are bicycle repair shops.
Similarly, NAICS has a category for Sporting Goods which includes bicycle stores. http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/def/NDEF451.HTM
The same results (click on California, which is on top with the most establishments; limit to Alameda; no way to sort by ZIP Code) are found as with the Other Repair Services category.
Hope this helps!