1. Treat Chelsea as a service-area decision, not a demand forecast
The 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimate is 5,426 people, with a margin of error of 29. That fact can help you describe the place your firm serves, but it cannot tell you how many people search for a lawyer, how many firms compete for attention, or how many Local Services Ads leads may occur. It also does not establish demand across all of Washtenaw County. Local Services Ads require a deliberate decision about the geographic area attached to the profile and the locations your firm is prepared to serve.
Recommended approach
Start the consultation with a written service-area boundary. Compare Chelsea-only coverage with a clearly defined Washtenaw County approach, then remove locations that your firm cannot serve or does not want to accept. Ask how location eligibility will be reviewed and how out-of-area inquiries will be identified.
