Spatial dynamics of the logistics industry: Evidence from California

Is logistics decentralization a consistent trend across metropolitan areas? If so, is the trend more pronounced than population or employment decentralization? This paper examines logistics industry location trends from 2003 to 2013 in the four largest California metropolitan areas: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento. We define measures of both decentralization and de-concentration and compare logistics location trends with those of population and employment. Decentralization with respect to logistics establishments and employment is confirmed for Los Angeles; the other metro areas show mixed results. Possible explanatory factors include metropolitan size, economic development policies, share of non-local trade, and local geography.