Parcel Data: Best Parcel Datasets & Databases

Parcel data is a crucial component in real estate and property management, providing essential information on land ownership, size, location, and value. As a real estate professional, homeowner, or land investor, having access to parcel data can be a valuable tool in making informed decisions about property-related transactions. In this article, we will explore the main questions users have about parcel data and provide comprehensive answers to help you understand this essential data type better.

Parcel Data, what is it and how to use it

Parcel data is information related to real estate parcels or properties, including their physical boundaries, location, size, ownership, and tax assessments. It is often stored in digital formats and can be accessed through various mapping and data analysis tools. Parcel data is used by real estate professionals, local governments, and other organizations to manage land use, zoning, taxation, and other property-related decisions.

What does “parcel data” mean in GIS?

In GIS, parcel data typically refers to a specific piece of land or property that is defined by a set of physical boundaries such as lines or polygons on a map. These boundaries are typically created using survey data, legal descriptions, or other land records. Parcel data is an essential component of GIS, as it provides valuable information on land ownership, property boundaries, zoning, and other property-related characteristics. This data is used by local governments, real estate professionals, and other organizations to manage land use, taxation, and other property-related decisions. GIS parcel data is often stored in digital formats and can be accessed through various mapping and data analysis tools.

Parcel Data Use Cases

Here are some main use cases of parcel data:

• Real estate transactions: Parcel data is used by real estate agents, appraisers, and property buyers/sellers to determine property boundaries, ownership, and market value.
• Land management: Parcel data is used by local governments to manage land use, zoning, taxation, and environmental conservation.
• Infrastructure planning: Parcel data is used to plan and design infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, utilities, and public facilities.
• Emergency response: Parcel data is used by emergency responders to locate properties and assess damages during natural disasters or other emergencies.
• Agriculture: Parcel data is used by farmers and agricultural businesses to monitor crop yields, soil types, and land use patterns.
• Environmental studies: Parcel data is used to track changes in land use and vegetation cover, monitor soil erosion and sedimentation, and assess the impact of land use on natural resources.

Information included in parcel data

Parcel data typically includes information related to real estate parcels or properties, such as:

1. Property boundaries: The physical boundaries of the property, including its shape and size.
2. Ownership information: The name of the property owner, mailing address, and contact information.
3. Property characteristics: Information on the physical characteristics of the property, such as land use, zoning classification, topography, and soil type.
4. Tax information: Tax assessment and property tax rate information used to determine the amount of property taxes owed.
5. Sales history: Information on previous sales of the property, including sale price, date of sale, and buyer/seller information.
6. Permit history: Information on permits issued for the property, including building permits, zoning permits, and other types of permits.
7. Utilities: Information on utility connections to the property, including water, sewer, gas, and electricity.
8. Environmental data: Information on the presence of hazardous materials, wetlands, or other environmental factors that may affect the property’s value or use.

Parcel data is often stored in digital formats and can be accessed through various mapping and data analysis tools. This information is used by real estate professionals, local governments, and other organizations to manage land use, zoning, taxation, and other property-related decisions.

Parcel Data Example

Here’s an example of what a parcel dataset could look like:

In this example, the parcel dataset is presented as a table with columns for the parcel ID, owner name, property address, land use code, land size, and assessed value.

Where can I buy Parcel Data?

Data providers and vendors listed on Datarade sell Parcel Data products and samples. Popular Parcel Data products and datasets available on our platform are Regrid: Geospatial Data | Land Parcel Intelligence US by Regrid, Regrid: Nationwide Parcel Data & Property Data API & Tiles by Regrid, and USLandGrid Nationwide Tax Parcel Data by USLandGrid.

How can I get Parcel Data?

You can get Parcel Data via a range of delivery methods - the right one for you depends on your use case. For example, historical Parcel Data is usually available to download in bulk and delivered using an S3 bucket. On the other hand, if your use case is time-critical, you can buy real-time Parcel Data APIs, feeds and streams to download the most up-to-date intelligence.