Market analysis variables to include in a business plan

[Jason Turo]

I am moving into a new market and want to educate myself on the quantitative variables to include in the business plan (if these are possible to determine: # total rental units, # of vacant units, number of homes, # of new construction starts, number of people, etc).  There is a university in this town and if anyone can share recommendations on how they determined a similar potential rental market in a university town.  Thanks.