Business ideas · Louisiana · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Lafayette, LA: what has room right now
Out of 228 business types, these five have the most room in Lafayette at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Louisiana, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 80 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Lafayette, LA · 121,537 residents
- 01
Garden Center / Nursery
Plants, trees, soil, and feed; landscapers and homeowners
- RoomLafayette has 65% fewer of these per person than Louisiana. At the state rate it would hold about 4 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Lafayette2
- Per 100k vs state1.6 vs 4.7
- Residents per one60,769
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 02
Catering
Off-premise food service for events, parties, and corporate functions
- RoomLafayette has 61% fewer of these per person than Louisiana. At the state rate it would hold about 3 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $50k, inside your budget.
- In Lafayette2
- Per 100k vs state1.6 vs 4.2
- Residents per one60,769
- To first dollar—
- 03
Garage / Epoxy / Concrete
Decorative concrete coatings, epoxy floors, and garage upgrades
- RoomLafayette has 55% fewer of these per person than Louisiana. At the state rate it would hold about 2 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Lafayette2
- Per 100k vs state1.6 vs 3.7
- Residents per one60,769
- To first dollar—
- 04
Oil Change / Quick Lube
Fast-service oil changes and basic vehicle fluid maintenance
- RoomLafayette has 52% fewer of these per person than Louisiana. At the state rate it would hold about 2 more.
- CostOpens for $40k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Lafayette2
- Per 100k vs state1.6 vs 3.4
- Residents per one60,769
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 05
Junk Removal
Hauling away unwanted items, debris, and household junk
- RoomLafayette has 50% fewer of these per person than Louisiana. At the state rate it would hold about 2 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Lafayette2
- Per 100k vs state1.6 vs 3.3
- Residents per one60,769
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Lafayette, LA?
- On Census Business Patterns for Lafayette's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are garden center / nursery, catering, garage / epoxy / concrete, oil change / quick lube, junk removal. Garden Center / Nursery leads: Lafayette has 65% fewer of these per person than Louisiana. At the state rate it would hold about 4 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Lafayette against the Louisiana 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?
- Garden Center / Nursery $60k–$300k; Catering $10k–$50k; Garage / Epoxy / Concrete $10k–$30k; Oil Change / Quick Lube $40k–$150k; Junk Removal $10k–$30k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.