Charleston
WV

Comprehensive business data, market statistics, and demographic insights for Charleston, WV. Census-backed market intelligence updated annually.

POPULATION207,456
MEDIAN INCOME$58.1K
BUSINESSES4,466
TRENDING SECTOR 🔥Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers
+1.7%5-Year Growth
MARKET INTELLIGENCE

Market Signal Report

Curated Intelligence. We analyzed 302 local industries to isolate distinct economic patterns—from rapid acceleration to uncrowded markets.

Methodical Selection

These are not random picks. We filtered the census database to identify the strongest statistical match for distinct economic strategies.

  • > High Momentum (Biz Count Growth)
  • > Supply Gaps (Low Competition)
  • > Market Anchors (High Volume)
View Full Methodology
🚀
The Rocket Ship

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers

While the average sector grew flat, Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers surged 1.7% from 2018 vs 2023. This is the fastest-moving opportunity in the market.

Businesses16
Growth Rate+1.7%
💎
The Hidden Gem

Nail Salons

Growing demand (2018 vs 2023) with surprisingly low competition level. A classic supply-gap opportunity with strong margins.

Businesses11
Growth Rate+1.2%
💼
The Premium Sector

Securities Brokerage

Professional industry driven by high-value human capital. High barrier to entry due to specialized workforce requirements.

Businesses11
Avg Salary$243.0K
🏰
The Stronghold

Bituminous Coal Underground Mining

Dominated by a few key players. High consolidation often indicates mature market dynamics.

Businesses7
CompetitionHighly Competitive167.2x above US avg
The Steady Giant

Limited-Service Restaurants

Zero volatility. Growth matches population exactly. A proven, volume-based sector for long-term consistency.

Businesses188
VolumeHighest

View All Niches

See full table (302 Rows)

💡

Charleston Market Intelligence

302 Industries Analyzed • 2018 vs 2023 Data

Charleston is experiencing market contraction with 0 underserved niches showing resilience. Competition is intense with 172 saturated sectors requiring differentiation strategies. Consider: Nail Salons, Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers.

How to Read the Data
Competition Level
Business density per capita vs US average. ● Underserved = Less competition. ● Highly Competitive = More businesses per capita than average.
Growth Rate
5-year percentage change in number of businesses (2018 vs 2023). ● Growing = Positive growth. ● Stable = Modest change. ● Declining = Negative growth.
Businesses
Active employer establishments (businesses with at least one employee) in this niche within the metro. Source: US Census Bureau.
MOMENTUM
DENSITY
25 of 302 niches• Sorted: Businesses
Niche (NAICS) Competition Growth Rate Businesses Avg Team Avg Salary
Limited-Service Restaurants#722513
1.25
-8.7%18820.5$17.9K
Religious Organizations#813110
1.91
-9.3%1866.2$24.9K
Offices of Lawyers#541110
1.74
-7.9%1639.0$83.4K
Full-Service Restaurants#722511
1.00
+5.1%14321.8$23.4K
Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)#621111
1.17
-27.3%13610.8$97.9K
Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores#447110
1.76
-6.4%8810.2$28.7K
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages#524210
1.18
-6.5%864.8$84.2K
Offices of Dentists#621210
0.96
-11.9%749.4$55.0K
All Other General Merchandise Stores#452319
2.92
+23.7%738.3$21.8K
Commercial Banking#522110
1.55
-19.3%6721.0$72.6K
Pharmacies and Drug Stores#446110
2.54
-1.7%5715.9$38.9K
General Automotive Repair#811111
1.17
+14.9%546.0$37.7K
Residential Remodelers#236118
0.71
-3.6%535.8$41.8K
Engineering Services#541330
1.47
+6.1%5218.9$96.5K
Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors#238220
0.83
+27.5%5113.0$71.2K
Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors#238210
1.01
+21.1%469.7$65.9K
Child Care Services#624410
0.97
+15.8%4417.0$24.9K
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores#441310
2.17
-6.4%449.2$32.9K
Offices of Certified Public Accountants#541211
1.37
+10.5%429.6$68.8K
Labor Unions and Similar Labor Organizations#813930
5.72
-2.4%405.9$48.7K
Site Preparation Contractors#238910
1.80
+18.8%389.2$66.5K
Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists#621340
1.28
-2.6%374.9$45.1K
Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings#531110
0.84
-18.6%353.3$35.3K
Other Gambling Industries#713290
23.14
-7.9%357.4$34.4K
Wired Telecommunications Carriers#517311
2.37
-18.6%3514.5$87.5K
Viewing 25 of 302 niches

Understanding Your Data

How to read the numbers and what to do next.

We pull directly from official U.S. Census Bureau records (specifically County Business Patterns & Nonemployer Statistics). We don't use estimates or opinions—we simply clean and organize the government's raw data so you can actually use it.

VERIFIED
MARKET
DATA

We built this platform to provide the foundational data you need to navigate your market's landscape and competitive dynamics.

Straight from the Source

We pull raw numbers directly from the U.S. Census Bureau. You're looking at the same data used by banks and city planners, simplified for clarity.

Data-First Methodology

We focus exclusively on the numbers. Our rankings are driven by objective metrics like growth and density, ensuring you see the market exactly as the data reports it.

Transparent Logic

No secret formulas. We show you the raw metrics—Growth, Density, and Volume—so you can verify the math yourself.