Market rankings · California
Dry cleaners in California
Every metro area, small-town market and county in California, ranked by the Groundwork market score for dry cleaners, with competitor counts and household spending for each.
- Listings
- 2,202
- 393 chain locations (18%)
- Official establishments
- 2,013
- −18.4% since 2019
- Household spending a year
- $28.2B
- On clothing, shoes and related services
- Listings per 10k households
- 1.6
- 23% above the U.S.
- Spending per listing
- $12.8M
- 18% below the U.S.
- Rank among states
- #49 of 51
- Market score 24 · Low
A site report maps the dry cleaners on map listings around any address in California by name and distance, and the spending within reach.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
There are 2,202 dry cleaners on map listings in California as of September 2026. 393 of them (18%) are chain locations, against 23% across the U.S. That comes to 1.6 for every 10,000 households, 23% above the U.S. rate of 1.3.
At $2,085 per household (in line with the U.S. average), households in California spend about $28.2B a year on clothing, shoes and related services. Spread across 2,202 dry cleaners, that is $12.8M per shop, 18% below the U.S. figure of $15.7M. The spending figure covers all clothing, shoes and related services, not only dry cleaners.
Official counts show 2,013 businesses with payroll classed as dry cleaning and laundry services in California in 2023, down 18.4% from 2019. That is one for every 6,730 households, against one for every 8,177 across the U.S. Across the U.S., the count fell 18.7% over the same years. Since fiscal 2022, 87 SBA-backed loans worth $40.5M have gone to businesses classed as dry cleaning and laundry services in California.
Among the 50 states and DC, California ranks #49 for dry cleaners, with a Groundwork market score of 24 (low). Of the 20 scored metro areas in or partly in California, the Stockton-Lodi metro area scores highest (70). Among 29 scored counties, San Joaquin County scores highest (71).
Every market in California for dry cleaners
Download the ranking (CSV)Numbered by Groundwork market score among the markets based in California, highest first; the U.S. rank compares each market with every other of its kind. A metro area that crosses a state line is listed in each state it reaches, and numbered only in the state its page is under. How the score works.
Metro areas
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Stockton-Lodi, CA | 70 | 19 | 0.8 | $25.1M | +5.5% | #30 of 272 |
| 2Fresno, CA | 60 | 23 | 0.6 | $28.4M | +3.2% | #85 of 272 |
| 3Visalia, CA | 55 | 10 | 0.7 | $24.3M | +2.4% | #114 of 272 |
| 4San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 52 | 11 | 1.0 | $20.1M | 0.0% | #138 of 272 |
| 5Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 51 | 19 | 1.0 | $21.4M | −0.4% | #144 of 272 |
| 6Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 51 | 93 | 1.1 | $19.2M | +3.2% | #145 of 272 |
| 7Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 49 | 10 | 1.0 | $21.5M | −4.7% | #155 of 272 |
| 8Chico, CA | 48 | 5 | 0.6 | $28.8M | −0.5% | #157 of 272 |
| 9Vallejo, CA | 47 | 15 | 1.0 | $21.5M | +0.6% | #160 of 272 |
| 10Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 45 | 172 | 1.2 | $16.1M | +3.5% | #166 of 272 |
| 11San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 40 | 123 | 1.8 | $14.7M | −0.6% | #186 of 272 |
| 12Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 40 | 34 | 1.2 | $14.3M | +2.3% | #188 of 272 |
| 13Modesto, CA | 39 | 18 | 1.0 | $18M | +0.7% | #191 of 272 |
| 14Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 37 | 18 | 1.2 | $17.2M | −1.4% | #202 of 272 |
| 15Salinas, CA | 36 | 14 | 1.1 | $19M | −1.5% | #205 of 272 |
| 16Napa, CA | 32 | 7 | 1.4 | $15.8M | −3.3% | #223 of 272 |
| 17San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 30 | 322 | 1.8 | $13.3M | −2.4% | #233 of 272 |
| 18San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 30 | 191 | 1.6 | $13.1M | −0.6% | #234 of 272 |
| 19Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 27 | 47 | 1.7 | $13M | −1.5% | #244 of 272 |
| 20Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 17 | 1,022 | 2.3 | $9M | −2.6% | #266 of 272 |
| Merced, CA | Not scored | 2 | 0.2 | $70.4M | +5.1% | |
| Yuba City, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.5 | $36.7M | +3.3% | |
| Redding, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.4 | $41.4M | −0.3% | |
| El Centro, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.6 | $25.9M | +1.1% | |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $18.4M | +1.0% |
Small-town markets
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka-Arcata, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.5 | $29.9M | −3.4% | |
| Truckee-Grass Valley, CA | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $21.1M | −0.4% | |
| Ukiah, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −3.5% | |
| Clearlake, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −0.6% | |
| Red Bluff, CA | Not scored | 2 | 0.8 | $20.2M | −1.7% | |
| Sonora, CA | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $40.6M | −4.0% | |
| Gardnerville Ranchos, NV-CA | Not scored | 1 | 0.5 | $42.6M | +0.9% | |
| Susanville, CA | Not scored | 1 | 1.1 | $14.8M | −13.1% | |
| Crescent City, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −4.4% | |
| Bishop, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −4.4% |
Counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1San Joaquin County, CA | 71 | 19 | 0.8 | $25.1M | +5.5% | #55 of 507 |
| 2Yolo County, CA | 65 | 5 | 0.7 | $30.5M | +3.1% | #99 of 507 |
| 3Fresno County, CA | 62 | 19 | 0.6 | $30.1M | +2.6% | #134 of 507 |
| 4Tulare County, CA | 60 | 10 | 0.7 | $24.3M | +2.4% | #159 of 507 |
| 5El Dorado County, CA | 60 | 7 | 0.9 | $23.7M | +0.6% | #160 of 507 |
| 6Placer County, CA | 60 | 20 | 1.3 | $17.7M | +8.9% | #168 of 507 |
| 7San Luis Obispo County, CA | 56 | 11 | 1.0 | $20.1M | 0.0% | #205 of 507 |
| 8Sonoma County, CA | 55 | 19 | 1.0 | $21.4M | −0.4% | #213 of 507 |
| 9Butte County, CA | 53 | 5 | 0.6 | $28.8M | −0.5% | #228 of 507 |
| 10Santa Cruz County, CA | 52 | 10 | 1.0 | $21.5M | −4.7% | #238 of 507 |
| 11Solano County, CA | 51 | 15 | 1.0 | $21.5M | +0.6% | #244 of 507 |
| 12Sacramento County, CA | 51 | 61 | 1.1 | $18.2M | +2.0% | #247 of 507 |
| 13Riverside County, CA | 51 | 95 | 1.2 | $16M | +5.0% | #251 of 507 |
| 14Santa Clara County, CA | 47 | 122 | 1.9 | $14.4M | −0.9% | #291 of 507 |
| 15San Bernardino County, CA | 46 | 77 | 1.1 | $16.3M | +1.9% | #294 of 507 |
| 16Kern County, CA | 46 | 34 | 1.2 | $14.3M | +2.3% | #298 of 507 |
| 17Stanislaus County, CA | 45 | 18 | 1.0 | $18M | +0.7% | #301 of 507 |
| 18Contra Costa County, CA | 44 | 64 | 1.5 | $15.3M | +0.3% | #309 of 507 |
| 19Alameda County, CA | 43 | 93 | 1.6 | $15.4M | −2.6% | #322 of 507 |
| 20Monterey County, CA | 41 | 14 | 1.1 | $19M | −1.5% | #341 of 507 |
| 21Santa Barbara County, CA | 41 | 18 | 1.2 | $17.2M | −1.4% | #342 of 507 |
| 22Napa County, CA | 35 | 7 | 1.4 | $15.8M | −3.3% | #392 of 507 |
| 23San Diego County, CA | 35 | 191 | 1.6 | $13.1M | −0.6% | #395 of 507 |
| 24San Mateo County, CA | 32 | 58 | 2.2 | $12M | −2.5% | #421 of 507 |
| 25Ventura County, CA | 31 | 47 | 1.7 | $13M | −1.5% | #429 of 507 |
Show all 58 counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26San Francisco County, CA | 28 | 82 | 2.3 | $11M | −5.6% | #451 of 507 |
| 27Marin County, CA | 25 | 25 | 2.4 | $10.6M | −2.9% | #464 of 507 |
| 28Orange County, CA | 24 | 233 | 2.2 | $10.5M | −1.1% | #467 of 507 |
| 29Los Angeles County, CA | 16 | 789 | 2.3 | $8.6M | −3.0% | #490 of 507 |
| Merced County, CA | Not scored | 2 | 0.2 | $70.4M | +5.1% | |
| Shasta County, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.4 | $41.4M | −0.3% | |
| Imperial County, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.6 | $25.9M | +1.1% | |
| Madera County, CA | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $19.9M | +7.4% | |
| Kings County, CA | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $18.4M | +1.0% | |
| Humboldt County, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.5 | $29.9M | −3.4% | |
| Nevada County, CA | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $21.1M | −0.4% | |
| Sutter County, CA | Not scored | 3 | 0.9 | $20.2M | −0.7% | |
| Mendocino County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −3.5% | |
| Yuba County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +8.2% | |
| Lake County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −0.6% | |
| San Benito County, CA | Not scored | 1 | 0.5 | $45.3M | +8.6% | |
| Tehama County, CA | Not scored | 2 | 0.8 | $20.2M | −1.7% | |
| Tuolumne County, CA | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $40.6M | −4.0% | |
| Calaveras County, CA | Not scored | 1 | 0.5 | $34.2M | +2.8% | |
| Siskiyou County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −4.5% | |
| Amador County, CA | Not scored | 1 | 0.6 | $29.5M | +3.2% | |
| Lassen County, CA | Not scored | 1 | 1.1 | $14.8M | −13.1% | |
| Glenn County, CA | Not scored | 1 | 1.0 | $15.9M | −2.6% | |
| Del Norte County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −4.4% | |
| Colusa County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −0.1% | |
| Plumas County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −5.9% | |
| Inyo County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −4.4% | |
| Mariposa County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.2% | |
| Trinity County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −2.3% | |
| Mono County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −5.4% | |
| Modoc County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −2.9% | |
| Sierra County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −4.0% | |
| Alpine County, CA | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −11.6% |
Markets with fewer than 5 dry cleaners on map listings, and counties under 10,000 people, aren’t scored; they’re listed last in each table.
Questions
How many dry cleaners are in California?
As of September 2026, map listings count 2,202 dry cleaners in California. 393 of them (18%) are chain locations. The listings count dry cleaners. Official counts show 2,013 businesses with payroll classed as dry cleaning and laundry services in 2023, down 18.4% from 2019.
How much do households in California spend on clothing, shoes and related services?
About $28.2B a year, or $2,085 per household. That is in line with the U.S. average (an index of 101, where 100 is the U.S. average). Spread across the 2,202 dry cleaners on map listings, it comes to $12.8M per shop. That spending covers all clothing, shoes and related services, which dry cleaners share with other businesses in the trade. It is estimated from the incomes of the 13,548,091 households in California and national spending patterns by income.
How does California compare with the U.S. for dry cleaners?
California has 1.6 dry cleaners per 10,000 households, 23% above the U.S. rate of 1.3. Spending per shop is $12.8M, 18% below the U.S. figure of $15.7M. At the U.S. ratio of dry cleaners to household spending, California would have about 1,803, against 2,202 on map listings. There is one business with payroll in the industry for every 6,730 households, against one for every 8,177 across the U.S. The official count fell 18.4% from 2019 to 2023, against −18.7% for the U.S.
Which market in California has the highest market score for dry cleaners?
Among 20 scored metro areas in or partly in California, the Stockton-Lodi metro area scores highest, at 70 (upper middle). Among 29 scored counties in California, San Joaquin County scores highest, at 71 (upper middle). Scores compare each market with others of its kind across the U.S.
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. California scores 24 for dry cleaners (low), #49 of the 50 states and DC.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in California. It maps the dry cleaners on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
Dry cleaners in other states
All 51 states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top markets for dry cleaners across the U.S. · All business types in California
Related business types in California
- Clothing, shoes and laundry37,881 listings
- Clothing and shoe stores25,253 listings
- Laundromats2,804 listings
Screening a site or an acquisition in California?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.