Charleston, WV

Business Ideas & Market Opportunities

The Charleston market is currently trailing the national growth rate. Our analysis identifies 18 active sectors where local supply has not yet met the demand indicated by the national baseline.

Active Local Businesses

5,489

Total Competition Pool

Market Size

207K

Total Metro Population

5-Year Growth Rate

-2.6%

⚠️ Trailing US(+0.1% avg)

Underserved Sectors

79

Niches with LQ < 0.8

Analyst Tip

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Showing 20 of 122 opportunities

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers

Growth
+166.7%
Scale
$3.1M PAY
Saturation
1.78
16 establishments

Tobacco Stores

Growth
+150.0%
Scale
$77K PAY
Saturation
2.18
25 establishments

Nail Salons

Growth
+120.0%
Scale
$42K PAY
Saturation
0.56
123 establishments

All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services

Growth
+100.0%
Scale
$1.5M PAY
Saturation
1.97
10 establishments

Medical Laboratories

Growth
+100.0%
Scale
$1.7M PAY
Saturation
1.73
16 establishments

Car Washes

Growth
+77.8%
Scale
$124K PAY
Saturation
1.46
16 establishments

Nonresidential Property Managers

Growth
+75.0%
Scale
$158K PAY
Saturation
1.39
14 establishments

Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers

Growth
+66.7%
Scale
$6.1M PAY
Saturation
1.83
10 establishments

Other Personal Care Services

Growth
+57.1%
Scale
$64K PAY
Saturation
0.61
11 establishments

General Freight Trucking, Local

Growth
+50.0%
Scale
$245K PAY
Saturation
0.48
12 establishments

Food Service Contractors

Growth
+50.0%
Scale
$354K PAY
Saturation
0.92
15 establishments

All Other Health and Personal Care Stores

Growth
+42.9%
Scale
$265K PAY
Saturation
1.84
10 establishments

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services

Growth
+41.7%
Scale
$163K PAY
Saturation
1.20
17 establishments

All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores)

Growth
+40.0%
Scale
$180K PAY
Saturation
1.55
21 establishments

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)

Growth
+40.0%
Scale
$710K PAY
Saturation
0.80
21 establishments

All Other Outpatient Care Centers

Growth
+36.4%
Scale
$1.9M PAY
Saturation
2.68
30 establishments

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Growth
+33.3%
Scale
$149K PAY
Saturation
0.79
12 establishments

Landscaping Services

Growth
+32.0%
Scale
$124K PAY
Saturation
0.50
33 establishments

Home Health Care Services

Growth
+29.4%
Scale
$1.1M PAY
Saturation
0.97
22 establishments

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Growth
+27.5%
Scale
$928K PAY
Saturation
0.83
51 establishments

Analyst Insights & Due Diligence

Administrative data provides the map, but not the terrain. We recommend three specific validation steps for Charleston:

1

Demographic Fit

Does the local population age or income level explain the "Supply Gaps"? (e.g., A gap in luxury services may be due to lower local income).

2

Regulatory Check

Verify local licensing requirements. High barriers to entry often protect "High Yield" sectors from new competition.

3

Competitor Health

Investigate the "Momentum" sectors. Are existing businesses thriving, or is the growth due to high turnover and failure rates?