Business ideas · North Carolina · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Wilmington, NC: what has room right now
Out of 236 business types, these five have the most room in Wilmington 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 105 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Wilmington, NC · 118,578 residents
- 01
Garden Center / Nursery
Plants, trees, soil, and feed; landscapers and homeowners
- RoomWilmington has 81% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 4 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Wilmington1
- Per 100k vs state0.8 vs 4.4
- Residents per one118,578
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 02
Junk Removal
Hauling away unwanted items, debris, and household junk
- RoomWilmington has 77% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 3 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Wilmington1
- Per 100k vs state0.8 vs 3.7
- Residents per one118,578
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 03
Garage / Epoxy / Concrete
Decorative concrete coatings, epoxy floors, and garage upgrades
- RoomWilmington has 75% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 6 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Wilmington2
- Per 100k vs state1.7 vs 6.8
- Residents per one59,289
- To first dollar—
- 04
Florist
Floral design for everyday sales, events, and weddings
- RoomWilmington has 75% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 3 more.
- CostOpens for $20k to $75k, inside your budget.
- In Wilmington1
- Per 100k vs state0.8 vs 3.4
- Residents per one118,578
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 05
Local Trucking / Hotshot
Owner-operator hauling local and regional freight; one truck to start
- RoomWilmington has 73% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 11 more.
- CostOpens for $30k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Wilmington4
- Per 100k vs state3.4 vs 12.6
- Residents per one29,645
- To first dollar—
Questions
- What business should I start in Wilmington, NC?
- On Census Business Patterns for Wilmington's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are garden center / nursery, junk removal, garage / epoxy / concrete, florist, local trucking / hotshot. Garden Center / Nursery leads: Wilmington has 81% fewer of these per person than North Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 4 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Wilmington 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; Junk Removal $10k–$30k; Garage / Epoxy / Concrete $10k–$30k; Florist $20k–$75k; Local Trucking / Hotshot $30k–$150k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.