Understanding Dollar Store Distribution in the US

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Dollar stores in the US

This report examines the locations of 36,788 Dollar Stores in the US. It looks at store counts, state and city presence, and how factors like population and housing influence store locations. 

The report focuses on the three major chains: Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar, to understand how and where they operate.

NB: The POI data of 36,788 Dollar Stores in the US used for the analysis was downloaded from the ScrapeHero DataStore. 

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Introduction to Dollar Stores in the US

Dollar stores are retail stores that sell a variety of products, typically at lower prices, with many items priced around one dollar or in small increments. 

They offer a wide range of goods, including household items, groceries, cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, and seasonal items. 

Popular dollar store chains, such as Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar, offer affordable options for everyday essentials, often targeting budget-conscious consumers in both urban and rural areas.

Below is a map showing the locations of the three major Dollar Stores in the US.

A map showing the locations of the three major Dollar Stores in the US, under analysis.

Major Dollar Store Chains in the US

The graph below illustrates the store counts of three major dollar store chains in the US that are under analysis: Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar. 

Dollar General leads with 20,453 stores, significantly surpassing Dollar Tree (8,710 stores) and Family Dollar (7,625 stores). 

This indicates Dollar General’s dominant market presence and extensive reach across the country, making it the largest dollar store chain in the US in terms of the number of stores.

Bar chart showing the store counts for Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar in the US, three major Dollar Stores in the US.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar follow behind, with Family Dollar having a slightly smaller store count than Dollar Tree. These three chains are key players in the dollar store market, and their distribution plays a major role in shaping the retail landscape.

Want a complete list of all Dollar Store locations in the US with geocoded address, phone number, open hours, etc for instant download? 

Dollar Stores Across US: Geographical Distribution by State

Regional Distribution

The map below provides a visual representation of the distribution of Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar across various US states. 

Dollar General has a strong presence in most regions, especially in the central and southern parts of the country.

Map showing the distribution of Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar stores, the major Dollar Stores in the US.

Dollar Tree is concentrated mainly in the Northeast and the West, with fewer locations in other areas. 

Family Dollar has a notable presence in the East and Southeast.

The map helps visualize these geographic patterns and shows how each chain has tailored its presence to different regions across the country.

Top States By Store Count

The graph below shows the top states with the highest number of Dollar Stores across the US.

Texas leads by a large margin with 1,892 stores, followed by Florida (1,064), and North Carolina (1,102). 

In each of these top states, Dollar General consistently has the highest store count compared to Dollar Tree and Family Dollar.

Bar chart showing the top 10 US states with the most Dollar Stores.

For example, in Texas, Dollar General has 1,892 stores, far outpacing both Dollar Tree (776 stores) and Family Dollar (1,108 stores). 

Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia also follow a similar pattern, where Dollar General holds the dominant share in store numbers.

These numbers show that Dollar General’s presence is widespread across key states, further solidifying its position as the leading dollar store chain in the US.

Factors Influencing Dollar Store Distribution

Housing Units and Dollar Stores Across US

Let’s see if there is any relationship between the number of housing units and the number of Dollar Stores in various regions. 

The chart shows a positive correlation between the number of housing units and the number of Dollar Stores. 

As the number of housing units increases in an area, the number of dollar stores tends to rise. This suggests that regions with larger populations or more residential areas are more likely to have a higher concentration of dollar stores.

A graph showing the correlation between the number of housing units and the number of Dollar Stores in various regions.

However, there are a few exceptions where areas with more housing units have fewer Dollar Stores. This could be due to other factors such as income levels, proximity to competitors, or regional retail strategies.

Age Groups Affecting the Locations of Dollar Stores Across US

This bar chart illustrates the presence of dollar stores across various age groups in key US states, including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina. 

Key Observations:

  • Texas (TX):
    • Has the highest number of Dollar Store providers.
  • Florida (FL):
    • Has fewer Dollar Store providers compared to Texas, but more than the other states.
  • Georgia (GA), Ohio (OH), North Carolina (NC):
    • The number of Dollar Store providers is also similar to and lower than in Texas and Florida.

Bar chart showing the presence of Dollar Stores across different age groups in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina.

Dollar stores tend to have more locations in states with large overall populations, such as Texas and Florida. 

While young adults are an important customer group, Dollar Stores serve a wide range of ages, including middle-aged and older adults, by offering affordable options for all.

Distribution of Dollar Stores by Cities and Counties

Cities With the Most Dollar Stores in the US

Houston has the most stores, followed by Jacksonville, San Antonio, Columbus, and Chicago. 

In Houston, Family Dollar has 119 stores, followed by Dollar Tree with 65 and Dollar General with 55.

Bar chart showing the top cities in the U.S. with the most Dollar Stores.

In Jacksonville, Dollar General has 70 stores, Dollar Tree has 39, and Family Dollar has 51. 

In San Antonio, Dollar General leads with 64 stores, followed by Dollar Tree with 53 and Family Dollar with 43. 

In some cities, Dollar General has the highest number of stores, while in other cities, Family Dollar leads.

Counties With the Most Dollar Stores in the US

Jefferson County has the highest number of stores, with 456, followed by Wayne County, which has 356 stores. 

Harris County comes next with 350 stores, while Marion and Montgomery counties have 346 and 345 stores, respectively.

Jefferson County

Other counties, such as Jackson, Washington, Franklin, Cook, and Dallas, also have significant numbers of Dollar Stores, ranging from 262 to 316 stores. 

These counties have the highest concentrations of dollar stores across the U.S.

Overall reach and Presence Across the US

State Presence by Chain

The bar chart below compares the state presence of the three major dollar store chains in the US.

Bar chart showing the number of US states where each major dollar store chain operates.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar both operate in 49 states, while Dollar General is present in 48 states. 

The relatively small difference in presence highlights that all three chains are well-established nationwide, with only a minimal variance in their state reach.

City Presence by Chain

Let’s now see the number of cities where each of the major dollar store chains: Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar, has a presence. 

Dollar General leads significantly with 7,808 cities, far surpassing both Dollar Tree (3,801 cities) and Family Dollar (3,693 cities).

Bar chart comparing the number of cities where each major dollar store chain is present.

This indicates that Dollar General has a far broader reach in terms of city presence, reflecting its dominant position in urban areas across the US. 

In comparison, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have a relatively more limited footprint in terms of cities.

What Did the Location Analysis of Dollar Stores in the US Reveal?

Dollar General dominates the market, leading in both total store counts and city presence, with a notable concentration in the central and southern regions. 

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar also have strong footprints, particularly in the Northeast, West, and Southeast, but trail behind Dollar General in terms of store and city reach.

Factors such as population density and housing units are closely linked to the location of dollar stores, with regions having larger populations typically hosting more stores. 

Additionally, dollar stores cater to a wide range of age demographics, serving not only younger age groups but also individuals aged 35-44 years, showing their broad customer appeal.

Overall, Dollar General stands out for its extensive reach, while Dollar Tree and Family Dollar continue to maintain significant presences in key regions. 

These findings highlight the strategic placement of these chains, targeting areas with high demand for affordable retail options.

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