Business ideas · Illinois · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Springfield, IL: what has room right now
Out of 237 business types, these five have the most room in Springfield at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Illinois, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 37 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Springfield, IL · 113,714 residents
- 01
Local Trucking / Hotshot
Owner-operator hauling local and regional freight; one truck to start
- RoomSangamon County has 86% fewer of these per person than Illinois. At the state rate it would hold about 62 more.
- CostOpens for $30k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Sangamon County10
- Per 100k vs state5.1 vs 36.7
- Residents per one19,612
- To first dollar—
- 02
IT Support / Managed Services
Outsourced IT for small businesses: networks, backups, security, help desk on a monthly contract
- RoomSpringfield has 71% fewer of these per person than Illinois. At the state rate it would hold about 15 more.
- CostOpens for $5k to $40k, inside your budget.
- In Springfield6
- Per 100k vs state5.3 vs 18.1
- Residents per one18,952
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 03
General Contractor / Remodeling
Residential or commercial renovations managing subs and permits
- RoomSpringfield has 68% fewer of these per person than Illinois. At the state rate it would hold about 38 more.
- CostOpens for $25k to $100k, inside your budget.
- In Springfield18
- Per 100k vs state15.8 vs 49.1
- Residents per one6,317
- To first dollar—
- 04
Commercial General Contractor
Builds and renovates commercial space: tenant finish-outs, small buildings, remodels
- RoomSpringfield has 66% fewer of these per person than Illinois. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Springfield4
- Per 100k vs state3.5 vs 10.4
- Residents per one28,429
- To first dollar—
- 05
Check Cashing / Remittance
Check cashing, money transfers, bill pay, and prepaid cards
- RoomSangamon County has 54% fewer of these per person than Illinois. At the state rate it would hold about 3 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $200k, inside your budget.
- In Sangamon County3
- Per 100k vs state1.5 vs 3.3
- Residents per one65,374
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Springfield, IL?
- On Census Business Patterns for Springfield's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are local trucking / hotshot, it support / managed services, general contractor / remodeling, commercial general contractor, check cashing / remittance. Local Trucking / Hotshot leads: Sangamon County has 86% fewer of these per person than Illinois. At the state rate it would hold about 62 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Springfield against the Illinois 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; IT Support / Managed Services $5k–$40k; General Contractor / Remodeling $25k–$100k; Commercial General Contractor $50k–$300k; Check Cashing / Remittance $50k–$200k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.