Business ideas · North Carolina · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Raleigh, NC: what has room right now
Out of 236 business types, these five have the most room in Raleigh at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of North Carolina, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 35 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Raleigh, NC · 470,763 residents
- 01
Garden Center / Nursery
Plants, trees, soil, and feed; landscapers and homeowners
- RoomRaleigh has 81% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 17 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Raleigh4
- Per 100k vs state0.8 vs 4.4
- Residents per one117,691
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 02
Florist
Floral design for everyday sales, events, and weddings
- RoomRaleigh has 75% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 12 more.
- CostOpens for $20k to $75k, inside your budget.
- In Raleigh4
- Per 100k vs state0.8 vs 3.4
- Residents per one117,691
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 03
Barber Shop
Men's haircuts, shaves, and grooming services
- RoomRaleigh has 74% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 6 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $60k, inside your budget.
- In Raleigh2
- Per 100k vs state0.4 vs 1.6
- Residents per one235,382
- To first dollar2 to 5 mo
- 04
Towing Service
Light-duty towing, roadside, and impound; one wrecker to start
- RoomRaleigh has 69% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 11 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $200k, inside your budget.
- In Raleigh5
- Per 100k vs state1.1 vs 3.4
- Residents per one94,153
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 05
Dumpster / Trailer Rental
Rents roll-off dumpsters or dump trailers to homeowners and contractors by the week
- RoomRaleigh has 69% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 7 more.
- CostOpens for $25k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Raleigh3
- Per 100k vs state0.6 vs 2.0
- Residents per one156,921
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Raleigh, NC?
- On Census Business Patterns for Raleigh's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are garden center / nursery, florist, barber shop, towing service, dumpster / trailer rental. Garden Center / Nursery leads: Raleigh has 81% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 17 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Raleigh against the North Carolina 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; Florist $20k–$75k; Barber Shop $15k–$60k; Towing Service $60k–$200k; Dumpster / Trailer Rental $25k–$150k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.