Business ideas · Virginia · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Richmond, VA: what has room right now
Out of 234 business types, these five have the most room in Richmond at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Virginia, 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
Richmond, VA · 227,595 residents
- 01
Garage / Epoxy / Concrete
Decorative concrete coatings, epoxy floors, and garage upgrades
- RoomRichmond has 92% fewer of these per person than Virginia. At the state rate it would hold about 12 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Richmond1
- Per 100k vs state0.4 vs 5.5
- Residents per one227,595
- To first dollar—
- 02
Garden Center / Nursery
Plants, trees, soil, and feed; landscapers and homeowners
- RoomRichmond has 89% fewer of these per person than Virginia. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Richmond1
- Per 100k vs state0.4 vs 4.1
- Residents per one227,595
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 03
Tailor / Alterations
Alterations, hemming, and custom tailoring for everyday and formal wear
- RoomRichmond has 89% fewer of these per person than Virginia. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $5k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Richmond1
- Per 100k vs state0.4 vs 4.0
- Residents per one227,595
- To first dollar2 to 5 mo
- 04
Florist
Floral design for everyday sales, events, and weddings
- RoomRichmond has 87% fewer of these per person than Virginia. At the state rate it would hold about 7 more.
- CostOpens for $20k to $75k, inside your budget.
- In Richmond1
- Per 100k vs state0.4 vs 3.5
- Residents per one227,595
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 05
Moving Services
Local residential and commercial moving — packing, loading, and transport
- RoomRichmond has 87% fewer of these per person than Virginia. At the state rate it would hold about 7 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $40k, inside your budget.
- In Richmond1
- Per 100k vs state0.4 vs 3.5
- Residents per one227,595
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Richmond, VA?
- On Census Business Patterns for Richmond's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are garage / epoxy / concrete, garden center / nursery, tailor / alterations, florist, moving services. Garage / Epoxy / Concrete leads: Richmond has 92% fewer of these per person than Virginia. At the state rate it would hold about 12 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Richmond against the Virginia 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?
- Garage / Epoxy / Concrete $10k–$30k; Garden Center / Nursery $60k–$300k; Tailor / Alterations $5k–$30k; Florist $20k–$75k; Moving Services $10k–$40k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.