Business ideas · Alabama · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Birmingham, AL: what has room right now
Out of 224 business types, these five have the most room in Birmingham at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Alabama, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 24 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Birmingham, AL · 199,322 residents
- 01
Local Trucking / Hotshot
Owner-operator hauling local and regional freight; one truck to start
- RoomBirmingham has 93% fewer of these per person than Alabama. At the state rate it would hold about 12 more.
- CostOpens for $30k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Birmingham1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 6.8
- Residents per one199,322
- To first dollar—
- 02
Cabinetry / Finish Carpentry
Custom cabinets, trim, built-ins, and closets for remodels and builders
- RoomBirmingham has 89% fewer of these per person than Alabama. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $80k, inside your budget.
- In Birmingham1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 4.7
- Residents per one199,322
- To first dollar—
- 03
Florist
Floral design for everyday sales, events, and weddings
- RoomBirmingham has 87% fewer of these per person than Alabama. At the state rate it would hold about 6 more.
- CostOpens for $20k to $75k, inside your budget.
- In Birmingham1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 3.7
- Residents per one199,322
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 04
Check Cashing / Remittance
Check cashing, money transfers, bill pay, and prepaid cards
- RoomBirmingham has 85% fewer of these per person than Alabama. At the state rate it would hold about 11 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $200k, inside your budget.
- In Birmingham2
- Per 100k vs state1.0 vs 6.6
- Residents per one99,661
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 05
Roofing
Roof installation, repair, and replacement — residential and commercial
- RoomBirmingham has 82% fewer of these per person than Alabama. At the state rate it would hold about 9 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $50k, inside your budget.
- In Birmingham2
- Per 100k vs state1.0 vs 5.6
- Residents per one99,661
- To first dollar—
Questions
- What business should I start in Birmingham, AL?
- On Census Business Patterns for Birmingham's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are local trucking / hotshot, cabinetry / finish carpentry, florist, check cashing / remittance, roofing. Local Trucking / Hotshot leads: Birmingham has 93% fewer of these per person than Alabama. At the state rate it would hold about 12 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Birmingham against the Alabama rate, from Census County and ZIP Business Patterns 2023, with crowded types (more than 1.35 times the state rate) left off. It is a screen, not a guarantee: the paid report maps the actual competitors and the neighborhood demand.
- What does it cost to open these?
- Local Trucking / Hotshot $30k–$150k; Cabinetry / Finish Carpentry $15k–$80k; Florist $20k–$75k; Check Cashing / Remittance $50k–$200k; Roofing $15k–$50k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.