In Central Place Theory, what does range mean?

• A. Maximum distance consumers will travel to obtain a service
• B. Minimum market size
• C. Is a measure of service frequency
• D. Population density near market

Answer: (A)

Range in Central Place Theory is the maximum distance (or travel time) a consumer is willing to travel to obtain a particular good or service. It defines how far the service can attract customers and thus how large its market area will be. This depends on how attractive the service is, its price, and the availability of alternatives, as well as transportation options and competition.

Understanding range helps explain why everyday, low-order services like a local grocery have a small range, while high-order services or specialized facilities attract customers from farther away. It’s different from threshold, which is about the minimum number of customers needed to make the service viable. It’s also not a measure of service frequency or the population density nearby.