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Business ideas · California · Census Business Patterns 2023

Business ideas in Santa Rosa, CA: what has room right now

Out of 239 business types, these five have the most room in Santa Rosa at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of California, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 9 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.

Neur picks

Santa Rosa, CA · 177,216 residents
  1. 01

    Local Trucking / Hotshot

    Owner-operator hauling local and regional freight; one truck to start

    • RoomSanta Rosa has 93% fewer of these per person than California. At the state rate it would hold about 39 more.
    • CostOpens for $30k to $150k, inside your budget.
    • In Santa Rosa3
    • Per 100k vs state1.7 vs 24.0
    • Residents per one59,072
    • To first dollar—
  2. 02

    Security Guard Service

    Licensed guards and patrols on monthly contracts for sites, events, and HOAs

    • RoomSanta Rosa has 89% fewer of these per person than California. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
    • CostOpens for $10k to $50k, inside your budget.
    • In Santa Rosa1
    • Per 100k vs state0.6 vs 5.3
    • Residents per one177,216
    • To first dollar1 to 3 mo
  3. 03

    Dumpster / Trailer Rental

    Rents roll-off dumpsters or dump trailers to homeowners and contractors by the week

    • RoomSanta Rosa has 85% fewer of these per person than California. At the state rate it would hold about 6 more.
    • CostOpens for $25k to $150k, inside your budget.
    • In Santa Rosa1
    • Per 100k vs state0.6 vs 3.8
    • Residents per one177,216
    • To first dollar1 to 3 mo
  4. 04

    Video Production

    Commercials, social content, events, and real-estate video for local clients

    • RoomSonoma County has 84% fewer of these per person than California. At the state rate it would hold about 74 more.
    • CostOpens for $5k to $40k, inside your budget.
    • In Sonoma County14
    • Per 100k vs state2.9 vs 18.1
    • Residents per one34,888
    • To first dollar1 to 3 mo
  5. 05

    Staffing Agency

    Temporary and direct-hire placements for light industrial, clerical, or medical clients

    • RoomSanta Rosa has 84% fewer of these per person than California. At the state rate it would hold about 15 more.
    • CostOpens for $20k to $100k, inside your budget.
    • In Santa Rosa3
    • Per 100k vs state1.7 vs 10.4
    • Residents per one59,072
    • To first dollar1 to 3 mo

Questions

What business should I start in Santa Rosa, CA?
On Census Business Patterns for Santa Rosa's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are local trucking / hotshot, security guard service, dumpster / trailer rental, video production, staffing agency. Local Trucking / Hotshot leads: Santa Rosa has 93% fewer of these per person than California. At the state rate it would hold about 39 more.
How is "room" measured?
Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Santa Rosa against the California 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; Security Guard Service $10k–$50k; Dumpster / Trailer Rental $25k–$150k; Video Production $5k–$40k; Staffing Agency $20k–$100k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.