Wal-Mart’s Urban Spread

NPR compiled data on the locations of Wal-Marts in three American cities. For each of these cities, we used census data to estimate what percentage of the population was within 1 mile of a Wal-Mart. In the maps below you can watch as Wal-Mart expands to reach more and more of this urban population. Ten years ago, Wal-Mart had no stores in any of these cities; today they have 20. In Washington, D.C., three additional Wal-Marts are under development, allowing us to project the retailer’s market growth into the future.

Share of Washington, D.C., residents within 1 or 2 miles of a Wal-Mart

2005

0% within 1 mile
0% within 2 miles

2010

0% within 1 mile
0% within 2 miles

2015

13% within 1 mile
44% within 2 miles

2020 (Projected)

23% within 1 mile
64% within 2 miles

Share of Chicago residents within 1 or 2 miles of a Wal-Mart

2005

>1% within 1 mile
4% within 2 miles

2010

3% within 1 mile
15% within 2 miles

2015

22% within 1 mile
63% within 2 miles

Share of Atlanta residents within 1 or 2 miles of a Wal-Mart

2005

0% within 1 mile
0% within 2 miles

2010

3% within 1 mile
13% within 2 miles

2015

17% within 1 mile
41% within 2 miles