How Many Self-Storage Facilities Are There In The US
JB
Jeremiah Boucher Founder, Patriot Holdings • Author of Finding Your Edge
Key Takeaways
- Starting a self-storage business requires understanding unit mix — climate-controlled vs. drive-up — and your local demand.
- Location drives storage demand more than anything — population density, housing type, and new construction matter.
- Your first facility should be an acquisition, not a ground-up build — buying stabilized cash flow reduces risk.
- Understand expense ratios: a well-run facility operates at 30-40% expense ratio, poorly run can be 60%+.