  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.
