Estimating the Number of Street Vendors in New York City

We estimate the number of street vendors in New York City. First, we summarize the process by which vendors receive licenses and permits to operate legally in New York City. Second, we describe a survey that was administered by the Street Vendor Project while distributing Coronavirus relief aid to vendors operating in New York City both with and without a license or permit. Third, we calculate the total number of vendors using ratio estimation, finding approximately 23,000 street vendors operate in New York City (20,500 mobile food vendors and 2,300 general merchandise vendors) with one third located in just six ZIP Codes (11368 (16%), 11372 (3%), and 11354 (3%) in North and West Queens and 10036 (5%), 10019 (4%), and 10001 (3%) in the Chelsea and Clinton neighborhoods of Manhattan). Fourth, we provide a theoretical justification of our estimates based on the theory of point processes. Finally, we evaluate the accuracy of the ratio estimator when the distribution of vendors is explained by a Poisson or Yule process, and we discuss several policy implications. In particular, our estimates suggest the American Community Survey misses the majority of New York City street vendors.