Change in Average Lot Size over Time

By Su LeoneNovember 19, 2013

The Question

Has average lot size decreased over time in Neuse Township?

The Process

Wake County GIS web site

ArcMap 10.1

Microsoft Excel 2013

The Data - CentricityYear Built

Homes Built

Median Lot Size (sq.ft.)

1962 17 23,975

1972 432 15,651

1982 107 18,986

1992 305 9,948

2002 744 6,584

2012 169 5,169

The average lot size in each sample year

1952 1962 1972 1982 1992 2002 2012 2022Median Lot Size (sq.ft.)Homes Built

Standard Deviation

The Data - SpreadYear Built

Homes Built

Median Lot Size (sq.ft.)

Standard Deviation (sq.ft.)

Ratio of sigma to mean

1962 17 23,975 11,851 .44

1972 431 15,651 10,789 .59

1982 70 18,986 18,700 .95

1992 238 9,948 7,905 .73

2002 534 6,584 4,636 .67

2012 100 5,169 5,402 .81

The smaller the sigma-to-mean ratio, the more similar the lot sizes were.

The Data - Spread

In the boom years, home lots were more alike in size.

1952 1962 1972 1982 1992 2002 2012 20220

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

Median Lot Size (sq.ft.) Standard Deviation (sq.ft.)

The AnswerYear Built

Homes Built

Median Lot Size (sq.ft.)

Acres Developed

1962 17 23,975 10.42 1972 431 15,651 180.09 1982 70 18,986 48.36 1992 238 9,948 76.29 2002 534 6,584 117.84 2012 100 5,169 25.65

While median lot size has decreased, the average lot size correlates to the number of homes built

on similar total acreage, not just the year built.

The Answer

1952 1962 1972 1982 1992 2002 2012 20220

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Homes Built Linear (Homes Built)Acres Developed Linear (Acres Developed)

While median lot size has decreased, the average lot size correlates to the number of homes built

on similar total acreage, not just the year built.