Tapestry Descriptions

Esri's Tapestry Segmentation is a geodemographic system that identifies 68 distinctive markets in the US based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics to provide an accurate, comprehensive profile of US consumers.

A website with all the long descriptions can be found at the following link: http://doc.arcgis.com/en/esri-demographics/data/tapestry-segmentation.htm

Tapestry Segments are classified into 14 LifeMode Groups and 68 Segments.

LifeMode 1 Affluent Estates

1A Top Tier The residents of the wealthiest Tapestry market, Top Tier, earn more than three times the US household income. They have the purchasing power to indulge any choice, but what do their hearts’ desire? Aside from the obvious expense for the upkeep of their lavish homes, consumers select upscale salons, spas, and fitness centers for their personal well-being and shop at high-end retailers for their personal effects. Link to PDF summary.

1B Professional Pride These consumers are well-educated career professionals that have prospered through the Great Recession. They are financially savvy; they invest wisely and benefit from interest and dividend income. So far, these established families have accumulated an average of 1.5 million dollars in net worth, and their annual household income runs at more than twice the US level. Link to PDF summary.

1C Boomburbs This is the new growth market, with a profile similar to the original: young professionals with families that have opted to trade up to the newest housing in the suburbs. The original Boomburbs began growing in the 1990s and continued through the peak of the housing boom. Most of those neighborhoods are fully developed now. This is an affluent market, but with a higher proportion of mortgages. Rapid growth still distinguishes the Boomburbs, although the boom is more subdued now than it was 10 years ago. Link to PDF summary.

1D Savvy Suburbanites These residents are well educated, well read, and well capitalized. Families include empty nesters and empty nester wannabes, who still have adult children at home. Located in older neighborhoods outside the urban core, their suburban lifestyle includes home remodeling and gardening plus the active pursuit of sports and exercise. Link to PDF summary.

1E Exurbanites Ten years later, Exurbanites residents are now approaching retirement but showing few signs of slowing down. They are active in their communities, generous in their donations, and seasoned travelers. They take advantage of their proximity to large metropolitan centers to support the arts, but prefer a more expansive home style in less crowded neighborhoods. They have cultivated a lifestyle that is both affluent and urbane. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 2 Upscale Avenues

2A Urban Chic These residents are professionals that live a sophisticated, exclusive lifestyle. Half of all households are occupied by married-couple families and about 30% are singles. These are busy, well-connected, and well-educated consumers - avid readers and moviegoers, environmentally active, and financially stable. Link to PDF summary.

2B Pleasantville Prosperous domesticity best describes the settled denizens of Pleasantville. Situated principally in older housing in suburban areas in the Northeast (especially in New York and New Jersey) and secondarily in the West (especially in California), these slightly older couples move less than any other market. Link to PDF summary.

2C Pacific Heights One of the smaller markets (with less than 1 percent of households), comprised of upscale neighborhoods in the urban periphery of metropolitan areas, along the Pacific Coast in California, in Hawaii, and in the Northeast. This market includes the highest percentage of Asian and multi-racial populations; many of them born outside the US. Link to PDF summary.

2D Enterprising Professionals This segment is well educated and climbing the ladder in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical) occupations. They change jobs often and therefore choose to live in condos, townhomes, or apartments; many still rent their homes. The market is fast-growing, located in lower density neighborhoods of large metro areas. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 3 Uptown Individuals

3A Laptops and Lattes Predominantly single, well-educated professionals in business, finance, legal, computer, and entertainment occupations, Laptops and Lattes are affluent and partial to city living - and its amenities. Neighborhoods are densely-populated, primarily located in the cities of large metropolitan areas. Many residents walk, bike, or use public transportation to get to work; a number work from home. Link to PDF summary.

3B Metro Renters Residents in this highly mobile and educated market live alone or with a roommate in older apartment buildings and condos located in the urban core of the city. This is one of the fastest growing segments; the popularity of urban life continues to increase for consumers in their late twenties and thirties. Metro Renters’ income is close to the US average, but they spend a large portion of their wages on rent, clothes and the latest technology. Link to PDF summary.

3C Trendsetters Armed with the motto “you’re only young once”, Trendsetters live life to its full potential. These educated young singles aren’t ready to settle down; they do not own homes or vehicles and choose to spend their disposable income on upscale city living and entertainment. Dressed head to toe in the most current fashions, their weeknights and weekends are filled discovering local art and culture, dining out or exploring new hobbies. Their vacations are often spontaneous, packed with new experiences and chronicled on their Facebook pages. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 4 Family Landscapes

4A Soccer Moms An affluent, family-oriented market with a country flavor. Residents are partial to new housing away from the bustle of the city, but close enough to commute to professional job centers. Life in this suburban wilderness offsets the hectic pace of two working parents with growing children. They favor time-saving devices, like banking online or housekeeping services, and family-oriented pursuits. Link to PDF summary.

4B Home Improvement Married-couple families occupy well over half of these suburban households. Most Home Improvement residences are single-family homes that are owner occupied, with only one fifth of the households occupied by renters. Education and diversity levels are similar to the US as a whole. These families spend a lot of time on the go and therefore tend to eat out regularly. When at home, weekends are consumed with home improvement and remodeling projects. Link to PDF summary.

4C Middleburg This segment transformed from the easy pace of country living to semirural subdivisions in the last decade, when the housing boom reached out. Residents are conservative, family-oriented consumers. Still more country than rock and roll, they are thrifty, but willing to carry some debt and are already investing in their futures. They rely on their smartphones and mobile devices to stay in touch, and pride themselves on their expertise. They prefer to buy, and travel, American. This market is younger, but growing in size and asset. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 5 GenXurban

5A Comfortable Empty Nesters Residents in this large, growing segment are older, with more than half of all householders aged 55 or older; many still live in the suburbs where they grew up. Most are professionals working in government, health care, or manufacturing. These Baby Boomers are earning a comfortable living and benefitting from years of prudent investing and saving. Their net worth is well above average (Index 363). Many are enjoying the transition from child-rearing to retirement. They value their health and financial well-being. Link to PDF summary.

5B In Style These denizens embrace an urbane lifestyle that includes support of the arts, travel and extensive reading. They are connected and make full use of the advantages of mobile devices. Professional couples or single households without children, they have the time to focus on their homes and their interests. The population is slightly older, and already planning for their retirement. Link to PDF summary.

5C Parks and Rec These practical suburbanites have achieved the dream of home ownership. They have purchased homes that are within their means. Their homes are older, and townhomes and duplexes are not uncommon. Many of these families are two-income married couples approaching retirement age; they are comfortable in their jobs and their homes, budget wisely, but do not plan on retiring anytime soon or moving. Neighborhoods are well established, as are the amenities and programs that supported their now independent children through school and college. Link to PDF summary.

5D Rustbelt Traditions The backbone of older industrial cities in states surrounding the Great Lakes, Rustbelt Traditions are a mix of married-couple families and singles living in older developments of single-family homes. While varied, the workforce is primarily white collar, with a higher concentration of skilled workers in manufacturing, retail trade and health care. Rustbelt Traditions represent a large market of stable, hard-working consumers with modest incomes, but above average net worth (Index 111). Family-oriented, they value time spent at home. Most have lived, worked, and played in the same area for years. Link to PDF summary.

5E Midlife Constants With below average labor force participation and above average net worth, Midlife Constants are seniors, at or approaching retirement. Although located in predominantly metropolitan areas, they live outside the central cities, in smaller communities. Their lifestyle is more country than urban. They are generous, but not spendthrifts. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 6 Cozy Country Living

6A Green Acres This segment features country living and self reliance. Green Acres are avid do-it-yourselfers, maintaining and remodeling their homes, with all the necessary power tools to accomplish the jobs. Gardening, especially vegetables, is also a priority, again with the right tools, tillers, tractors, and riding mowers. Outdoor living also features a variety of sports, hunting and fishing, motorcycling, hiking and camping, and even golf. Self-described conservatives, residents of Green Acres remain pessimistic about the near future, yet heavily invested in it. Link to PDF summary.

6B Salt of the Earth These residents are entrenched in their traditional, rural lifestyles. Citizens here are older, and many have grown children that have moved away. They still cherish family time, but couples value time spent tending to their vegetable gardens and preparing home-made meals. Residents embrace the outdoors; most of their free time is spent preparing for their next fishing, boating or camping trip. The majority has at least a high school diploma or some college education; many have expanded their skill set during their years of employment in the manufacturing and related industries. Link to PDF summary.

6C The Great Outdoors These neighborhoods are found in pastoral settings throughout the United States. Consumers are educated empty nesters living an active, but modest lifestyle. Their focus is the land: They are more likely to invest in real estate or a vacation home than stocks. They are active gardeners and partial to home-grown and home-cooked meals. Although retirement beckons, most of these residents still work, with incomes slightly above the US level. Link to PDF summary.

6D Prairie Living The most rural market, comprising about 1 percent of households. Prairie Living is located mainly in the Midwest, with a predominance of self-employed farmers. These agricultural communities are not diverse, dominated by married-couple families that own single-family dwellings and many vehicles. Median household income is similar to the US, and labor force participation is slightly higher. Faith is important to this hard-working market. When they find time to relax, they favor outdoor activities. Link to PDF summary.

6E Rural Resort Dwellers Although the Great Recession forced many second home owners to sell, Rural Resort Dwellers remain an active market, just a bit smaller. These communities are centered on resort areas, many in the Midwest, where the change in seasons supports a variety of outdoor activities. Retirement looms for many of these blue-collar, older householders, but workers are postponing retirement or returning to work to maintain their current lifestyles. Workers are traveling further to maintain employment. They are passionate about their hobbies, like fresh-water fishing and hunting, but otherwise have very simple tastes. Link to PDF summary.

6F Heartland Communities Well settled and close-knit, Heartland Communities are semi-rural and semi-retired. These older households are primarily homeowners, and many have paid off their mortgages. Their children have moved away, but they have no plans to leave their homes. Their hearts are with the country; they embrace the slower pace of life here, but actively participate in outdoor activities and community events. Traditional and patriotic residents support their local businesses, always buy American, and favor domestic driving vacations over foreign plane trips. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 7 Ethnic Enclaves

7A Up and Coming Families This segment is a market in transition - younger, more ethnically diverse and mobile than the previous generation. Up and Coming Families are ambitious, working hard to get ahead, willing to take some risks to achieve their goals. The recession has impacted their financial well-being, but they are optimistic. Their homes are new; their families are young. And this is one of the fastest-growing markets in the country. Link to PDF summary.

7B Urban Villages Trendy and fashion conscious, Urban Villages are multicultural, multigenerational, and multilingual and are risk takers. However, these consumers retain their focus on their children and maintain gardens. They are well connected with their smartphones, but more likely to shop in person or via the Home Shopping Network. Their favorite stores are as diverse as they are, Costco or Whole Foods, Target or Nordstrom. Link to PDF summary.

7C American Dreamers Located throughout the South and West, most American Dreamers own their own homes, primarily single-family housing - farther out of the city, where housing is more affordable. Median household income is slightly below average (Index 94). The majority of households include younger married-couple families with children and, frequently, grandparents. Diversity is high; many residents are foreign born, of Hispanic origin. Hard work and sacrifice have improved their economic circumstance as they pursue a better life for themselves and their family. Link to PDF summary.

7D Barrios Urbanos Family is central within these diverse communities. Hispanics make up more than 70% of the residents, and more than one in four are foreign born, bringing rich cultural traditions to these neighborhoods in the urban outskirts. Dominating this market are younger families with children or single-parent households with multiple generations living under the same roof. These households balance their budgets carefully, but also indulge in the latest trends and purchase with an eye to brands. Link to PDF summary.

7E Valley Growers This small, but distinctive market, is located almost entirely in the West (primarily in California and Washington). Valley Growers' neighborhoods are home to young, Hispanic families with children and, frequently, multiple generations living in single family homes. Most residents are Hispanic (mostly of Mexican origin). A third is foreign born; 30% of households are linguistically isolated. This market is all about spending time with family, taking care of family and home, and following the Hispanic heritage. More homes are rented than owned, located in semirural areas where agriculture dominates. Link to PDF summary.

7F Southwestern Families Residents in these neighborhoods are young families that form the foundation of Hispanic life in the Southwest. Children are the center of households that are composed mainly of married couples with children and single-parent families. Grandparents are caregivers in some of these households. Recent arrivals and older generations are language-isolated. Much of the working-age population is employed in blue collar occupations, specializing in skilled work, as well as building maintenance and service jobs. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 8 Middle Ground

8A City Lights This densely populated urban market, is the epitome of equality. The wide-ranging demographic characteristics of residents here mirror their passion for social welfare and equal opportunity. City Lights Household types range from single person to married-couple families, with and without children. A blend of owners and renters, single-family homes and townhomes, midrise and high-rise apartments, these neighborhoods are both racially and ethnically diverse. Many residents have completed some college or a degree, and they earn a good income in professional and service occupations. Link to PDF summary.

8B Emerald City This segment lives in lower density neighborhoods of urban areas throughout the country. Young and mobile, they are more likely to rent. Emerald City’s denizens are well-educated and well-employed: half have a college degree and a professional occupation. Incomes close to the US median come primarily from wages and self-employment. This group is highly connected, using the Internet for entertainment and making environmentally friendly purchases. Long hours on the Internet are balanced with time at the gym. Many embrace the ‘foodie’ culture and enjoy cooking adventurous meals using local and organic foods. Link to PDF summary.

8C Bright Young Professionals This large market is primarily located in urban outskirts of large metropolitan areas. These communities are home to young, educated, working professionals. One out of three householders is under the age of 35. Bright Young Professionals are slightly more diverse and couples dominate this market, with more renters than homeowners. Over two-fifths of households are single-family dwellings; over a third reside in 5+ unit buildings. Labor force participation is high, generally white collar work, with a mix of food service and part-time jobs (among the college students). Median household income, median home value and average rent are close to the US values. Link to PDF summary.

8D Downtown Melting Pot This segment is a smaller, diverse, settled market, comprised of much older neighborhoods located in cities in the Middle Atlantic (mainly New York) or on the Pacific Coast. Downtown Melting Pot is a mix of races and ethnicities, with strong concentrations of Asians, particularly Chinese (highest concentration of any segment) reside here. Close to half of the residents are foreign-born, and 30% of households have members who do not speak English. These neighborhoods are dominated by married-couple families in apartment rentals. Residents are employed in professional, service (especially food and personal service), sales, and administrative occupations; many work outside the county they live in. Link to PDF summary.

8E Front Porches This group blends household types, with more young families with children or single households than average. Front Porches is also more diverse than the US. Half of householders are renters, and many of the homes are older townhomes or duplexes. Friends and family are central to Front Porches and help to influence household buying decisions. Residents enjoy their automobiles and like cars that are fun to drive. Income and net worth are well below the US average, and many families have taken out loans to make ends meet. Link to PDF summary.

8F Old and Newcomers This market features singles’ lifestyles, on a budget. The focus is more on convenience than consumerism, economy over acquisition. Old and Newcomers are neighborhoods in transition, populated by renters who are just beginning their careers or retiring. Some are still in college; some are taking adult education classes. They support environmental causes and Starbucks. Age is not always obvious from their choices. Link to PDF summary.

8G Hardscrabble Road This market is struggling to get by. Hardscrabble Road neighborhoods are in urbanized areas within central cities, with older housing, located chiefly in the Midwest and South. This slightly smaller market is primarily a family market, married couples (with and without children) and single parents. Younger, highly diverse (with higher proportions of black, multiracial and Hispanic populations), and less educated, they work mainly in service, manufacturing, and retail trade industries. Unemployment is high (almost twice the US rate), and median household income is half the US median. Almost 1 in 3 households have income below the poverty level. Approximately 60% of householders are renters, living primarily in single-family homes, with a higher proportion of dwellings in 2-4 unit buildings. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 9 Senior Styles

9A Silver & Gold Almost the oldest senior market (second to The Elders), the difference of 10 years in median age reveals a socioeconomic difference: This is the most affluent senior market, and still growing. The affluence of Silver and Gold has afforded the opportunity to retire to sunnier climates that feature exclusive communities and vacation homes. These consumers have the free time, stamina and resources to enjoy the good life. Link to PDF summary.

9B Golden Years Independent, active seniors nearing the end of their careers or already in retirement best describes Golden Years. This market is primarily singles living alone or empty nesters. Those still active in the labor force are employed in professional occupations; however, these consumers are actively pursuing a variety of leisure intereststravel, sports, dining out, museums and concerts. They are involved, focused on physical fitness and enjoying their lives. This market is smaller, but growing, and financially secure. Link to PDF summary.

9C The Elders With a median age of 71.8 years, this is Tapestry’s oldest market. The Elders favor communities designed for senior or assisted living, primarily in warmer climates with seasonal populations. Most of these householders are home owners, although their housing varies from mobile homes to single-family residences to high-rise apartments. These seniors are informed, independent and involved. Link to PDF summary.

9D Senior Escapes The residents that make up Senior Escapes are heavily concentrated in the warmer states of Florida, California, and Arizona. These areas are highly seasonal, yet owner occupied. Many homes began as seasonal getaways and now serve as primary residences. Forty percent are mobile homes; half are single-family dwellings. About half are in unincorporated and more rural areas. Over a quarter of the population are 65-74 years old. Most are white and fairly conservative in their political and religious views. Link to PDF summary.

9E Retirement Communities This segment is evenly distributed across the country. Retirement Communities combine single-family homes and independent living with apartments, assisted living and continuous care nursing facilities. Over half the housing units are in multiunit structures, and the majority of residents have a lease. This group enjoys watching cable TV and stays up to date with newspapers and magazines. Residents take pride in fiscal responsibility and keep a close eye on their finances. Although income and net worth are well below national averages, residents enjoy going to the theatre, golfing and taking vacations. Link to PDF summary.

9F Social Security Set Over one third of householders in this segment are aged 65 or older and dependent on low, fixed incomes, primarily Social Security. Social Security Set is an older market located in metropolitan cities across the country. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, early retirement is now a dream for many approaching the retirement age; wage and salary income in this market is still robust. Residents live alone in low-rent, high rise buildings, located in or close to business districts that attract heavy daytime traffic. But they enjoy the hustle and bustle of life in the heart of the city, with the added benefit of access to hospitals, community centers and public transportation. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 10 Rustic Outposts

10A Southern Satellites Residents in this group enjoy country living, preferring outdoor activities and DIY home projects. Southern Satellites is the second largest market - in rural settlements, but within metropolitan areas located primarily in the South. This market is typically non-diverse, slightly older, settled married-couple families, who own their homes. Almost two-thirds of the homes are single-family structures; a third are mobile homes. Median household income and home value are below average. Workers are employed in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, health care, retail trade, and construction, with higher proportions in mining and agriculture than the US. Link to PDF summary.

10B Rooted Rural The residents that make up this group are heavily concentrated in the Appalachian mountain range as well as in Texas and Arkansas. Employment in the forestry industry is common, and Rooted Rural residents live in many of the heavily forested regions of the country. Nearly nine of ten residents are non-Hispanic whites. This group enjoys time spent outdoors, hunting, fishing or working in their gardens. Indoors, they enjoy watching television with a spouse and spending time with their pets. When shopping, they look for American-made and generic products. Link to PDF summary.

10C Diners & Miners Close to one in five employed residents work in mining, oil and gas extraction, or quarrying industries. Diners and Miners are a very rural, primarily Southern market. Married-couple families reside in over half of the households, and over a quarter of householders live in mobile homes. This socially conservative group earns a living working with their hands. In addition to mining, construction and agriculture are common industries for employment. They take pride in the appearance of their homes and their vehicles. Link to PDF summary.

10D Down the Road This is a mix of low density semirural neighborhoods in large metropolitan areas; half are located in the South, with the rest chiefly in the West and Midwest. Almost half of Down the Road' householders live in mobile homes; approximately two-fifths live in single-family homes. These are younger, diverse communities, with the highest proportion of American Indians of any segment. These family-oriented consumers value their traditions. Workers are in service, retail trade, manufacturing, and construction industries, with higher proportions in agriculture and mining, compared to the US. Link to PDF summary.

10E Rural Bypasses Open space, undeveloped land, and farmland characterize Rural Bypasses. These families live within small towns along country back roads and enjoy the open air in these sparsely populated neighborhoods. Their lifestyle is country, focused on the outdoors, gardening, hunting and fishing. They are more likely to own a satellite dish than a home computer. Although a majority of households do have a connection to the Internet, their use is very limited. Those who are not yet retired work in blue collar jobs in the agriculture or manufacturing industries. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 11 Midtown Singles

11A City Strivers These high density city neighborhoods are characterized by a relatively young foreign born population who have embraced the American lifestyle, yet retained their cultural integrity. In order to support their lifestyle, City Strivers commute long distances to find work in the service or retail industry. Their hard-earned wage and salary income goes toward relatively high rents in older multiunit buildings, but they’ve chosen these neighborhoods to maintain ties to their culture. Single parents are often the recipients of Supplemental Security income and public assistance, but their close-knit community provides the invaluable support needed while they work. Link to PDF summary.

11B Young and Restless Gen Y comes of age: Well-educated young workers, some of whom are still completing their education, employed in professional/technical occupations, as well as sales and office/administrative support roles. These residents are not established yet, but striving to get ahead and improve themselves. This market ranks in the top 5 for renters, movers, college enrollment, and labor force participation rate. Almost 1 in 5 residents move each year. Close to half of all householders are under the age of 35, the majority living alone or in shared nonfamily dwellings. Median household income is still below the US. Smart phones are a way of life, and they use the Internet extensively. Young and Restless consumers are diverse, favoring densely-populated neighborhoods in large metropolitan areas; over 50% are located in the South (almost a fifth in Texas), with the rest chiefly in the West and Midwest. Link to PDF summary.

11C Metro Fusion This is a young, diverse market. Many residents do not speak English fluently and have moved into their homes recently. Metro Fusion residents are highly mobile and over three quarters of households are occupied by renters. Many households have young children; a quarter are single-parent families. The majority of residents live in midsize apartment buildings. Metro Fusion is a hard working market dedicated to climbing the ladders of their professional and social lives. This is particularly difficult for the single parents due to median incomes that are 35% lower than the US level. Link to PDF summary.

11D Set to Impress This segment is depicted by medium to large multi-unit apartments with lower than average rents. These apartments are often nestled into neighborhoods with other businesses or single-family housing. Nearly one in three residents is 20 to 34 years old, and over half of the homes are nonfamily households. Although many residents live alone, they preserve close connections with their family. Income levels are low; many work in food service while they are attending college. This group is always looking for a deal. They are very conscious of their image and seek to bolster their status with the latest fashion. Set to Impress is tapped into popular culture and the local music scene. Link to PDF summary.

11E City Commons This segment is one of Tapestry’s youngest and largest markets, primarily comprised of single-parent and single-person households living within large, metro cities. While more than a third have a college degree or spent some time in college, nearly a third have not finished high school, which has a profound effect on their economic circumstance. However, that has not dampened their aspiration to strive for the best for themselves and their children. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 12 Hometown

12A Family Foundations Family and faith are the cornerstones of life in these communities. Older children, still living at home, working towards financial independence, are common within these households. Neighborhoods are stable: little household growth has occurred for more than a decade. Many Family Foundations' residents work in the healthcare industry or public administration across all levels of government. Style is important to these consumers, who spend on clothing for themselves and their children, as well as on smartphones. Link to PDF summary.

12B Traditional Living Residents in this segment live primarily in low-density, settled neighborhoods in the Midwest. The households are a mix of married-couple families and singles. Many families encompass two generations who have lived and worked in the community; their children are likely to follow suit. The manufacturing, retail trade, and health care sectors are the primary sources of employment for these residents. Traditional Living is a younger market - beginning householders are juggling the responsibilities of living on their own or a new marriage, while retaining their youthful interests in style and fun. Link to PDF summary.

12C Small Town Simplicity This group includes young families and senior householders that are bound by community ties. The Small Town Simplicity lifestyle is down-to-earth and semirural, with television for entertainment and news, and emphasis on convenience for both young parents and senior citizens. Pursuits include online computer games, scrapbooking, and rural activities like hunting and fishing. Since almost 1 in 4 households is below poverty level, residents also keep their finances simple - paying bills in person and avoiding debt. Link to PDF summary.

12D Modest Income Homes Families in this urban segment may be non-traditional; however, their religious faith and family values guide their modest lifestyles. Many residents are primary caregivers to their elderly family members. Jobs are not always easy to come by, but wage and salary income is still the main source of income for most households. Reliance on Social Security and public assistance income is necessary to support single-parent and multigenerational families. High poverty rates in this market make it difficult to make ends meet. Nonetheless, rents are relatively low (Index 73), public transportation is available, and Medicaid can assist families in need. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 13 Next Wave

13A International Marketplace The neighborhoods that make up the International Marketplace segment are a rich blend of cultures, found in densely-populated urban and suburban areas, almost entirely in the Middle Atlantic (especially in New York and New Jersey), or in California. Almost 40% of residents are foreign born; 1 in 4 households are linguistically isolated. Young, Hispanic families, renting apartments in older buildings dominate this market; about two-fifths of households have children. Over a fifth of households have no vehicle, typically those living in the city. Median household income is lower, but home values are higher, reflecting the metropolitan areas in which they live. Consumers are attentive to personal style; purchases reflect their youth and their children. True to their culture, residents visit Spanish language websites, watch programs on Spanish TV networks, and listen to Hispanic music. Link to PDF summary.

13B Las Casas Cultural differences depict Las Casas, a family-oriented market distinguished by multigenerational households. Their spending reflects their children - baby food and furniture or children’s apparel - and convenience - fast food and family restaurants. Consumer choices also focus on personal style, as well as the latest trends and fashions. Although young and predominantly renters, this market is stable, affected more by immigration from abroad than local moves. Link to PDF summary.

13C NeWest Residents For this young Hispanic market, life has taken many turns recently. They are new to America and new to their careers, with new, young families. Many are new to the English language; more than a third of the households are linguistically isolated. NeWest Residents are ambitious and dream of a better life. They aren’t ready to fully adopt the American way of life, but are willing to take risks for the benefit of their families. As the breadwinners, the men of the house work long hours in blue collar jobs, primarily in the service industry. Skilled workers steer toward construction and manufacturing sectors. Link to PDF summary.

13D Fresh Ambitions These young families, many of whom are recent immigrants, focus their life and work around their children. Fresh Ambitions are not highly educated, but many have overcome the language barrier and earned a high school diploma. They work overtime in service, in skilled and unskilled occupations, and spend what little they can save on their children. Multigenerational families and close ties to their culture support many families living in poverty; income is often supplemented with public assistance and Social Security. Residents spend more than a third of their income on rent, though they can only afford to live in older row houses or multi-unit buildings. Link to PDF summary.

13E High Rise Renters This market tops the chart for density, diversity, presence of adult children, linguistic isolation and foreign born population. High-Rise Renters are located predominantly in the Northeast, especially in New York City. They travel far for employment, usually in service jobs, and depend upon public transportation. These residents are young and struggling to make ends meet; a large portion of their income goes towards rent demanded by their dense central city locations. High-Rise Renters are compassionate people; young or old, near or far, they are devoted to their families. The younger generation is equally passionate about music, television and fashion. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 14 Scholars and Patriots

14A Military Proximity One of the youngest markets, residents are married-couple families just beginning parenthood, with an average household size of 3.34. The Armed Forces is the common bond for these consumers. Most of the labor force are on active duty or have civilian jobs on military bases. The labor force participation rate, with the Armed Forces, is close to 80%, highest among Tapestry markets. Moving is routine to Military Proximity householders; 40% have recently lived elsewhere. Consumers live a young, active lifestyle with a focus on their families. These communities are located throughout the United States, but mainly in the South and West. Link to PDF summary.

14B College Towns About half the residents are enrolled in college, while the rest work for a college or the services that support it. Students have busy schedules, but make time for socializing and sports, between studying and part-time jobs. Students that are new to managing their own finances tend to make impulse buys and splurge on the latest fashions. This digitally engaged group uses computers and cell phones for all aspects of life including shopping, school work, news, social media and entertainment. College Towns are all about new experiences, and residents seek out variety and adventure in their lives. Link to PDF summary.

14C Dorms to Diplomas On their own for the first time, Dorms to Diplomas are just learning about finance and cooking. Frozen dinners and fast-food are common options. Shopping trips are sporadic, and preferences for products are still being established. Many carry a balance on their credit card so that they can buy what they want now. Although school and part-time work take up many hours of the day, the remainder is usually filled with socializing and having fun with friends. They are looking to learn life lessons inside and outside of the classroom. This is the first online generation, having had lifelong use of computers, the Internet, cell phones, and MP3 players. Link to PDF summary.

LifeMode 15 Unclassified

Unclassified includes both unpopulated areas-parks, golf courses or undeveloped land-and areas with insufficient data for classification, such as institutional group quarters or sparsely populated areas.

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