Business ideas · Georgia · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Athens-Clarke County, GA: what has room right now
Out of 235 business types, these five have the most room in Athens-Clarke County at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Georgia, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 30 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Athens-Clarke County, GA · 126,987 residents
- 01
Cabinetry / Finish Carpentry
Custom cabinets, trim, built-ins, and closets for remodels and builders
- RoomAthens-Clarke County has 89% fewer of these per person than Georgia. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $80k, inside your budget.
- In Athens-Clarke County1
- Per 100k vs state0.8 vs 7.2
- Residents per one126,987
- To first dollar—
- 02
IT Support / Managed Services
Outsourced IT for small businesses: networks, backups, security, help desk on a monthly contract
- RoomAthens-Clarke County has 89% fewer of these per person than Georgia. At the state rate it would hold about 24 more.
- CostOpens for $5k to $40k, inside your budget.
- In Athens-Clarke County3
- Per 100k vs state2.4 vs 21.2
- Residents per one42,329
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 03
Roofing
Roof installation, repair, and replacement — residential and commercial
- RoomAthens-Clarke County has 89% fewer of these per person than Georgia. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $50k, inside your budget.
- In Athens-Clarke County1
- Per 100k vs state0.8 vs 7.0
- Residents per one126,987
- To first dollar—
- 04
Local Trucking / Hotshot
Owner-operator hauling local and regional freight; one truck to start
- RoomAthens-Clarke County has 87% fewer of these per person than Georgia. At the state rate it would hold about 13 more.
- CostOpens for $30k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Athens-Clarke County2
- Per 100k vs state1.6 vs 11.8
- Residents per one63,494
- To first dollar—
- 05
Used Car Dealer
Independent lot selling 10 to 40 cars a month; buy-here-pay-here optional
- RoomAthens-Clarke County has 74% fewer of these per person than Georgia. At the state rate it would hold about 9 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Athens-Clarke County3
- Per 100k vs state2.4 vs 9.1
- Residents per one42,329
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
- On Census Business Patterns for Athens-Clarke County's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are cabinetry / finish carpentry, it support / managed services, roofing, local trucking / hotshot, used car dealer. Cabinetry / Finish Carpentry leads: Athens-Clarke County has 89% fewer of these per person than Georgia. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Athens-Clarke County against the Georgia 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?
- Cabinetry / Finish Carpentry $15k–$80k; IT Support / Managed Services $5k–$40k; Roofing $15k–$50k; Local Trucking / Hotshot $30k–$150k; Used Car Dealer $50k–$300k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.