Portland-South Portland, ME

Business Ideas & Market Opportunities

The Portland-South Portland market is currently outpacing the national growth rate. Our analysis identifies 89 active sectors where local supply has not yet met the demand indicated by the national baseline.

Active Local Businesses

22,892

Total Competition Pool

Market Size

558K

Total Metro Population

5-Year Growth Rate

+8.3%

🔥 Outpacing US(+0.1% avg)

Underserved Sectors

155

Niches with LQ < 0.8

Analyst Tip

Viewing all opportunities. Use the View Mode toggle above to filter by business model, or search to find specific niches.

Showing 20 of 318 opportunities

Other Management Consulting Services

Growth
+300.0%
Scale
$75K PAY
Saturation
0.47
16 establishments

Mobile Food Services

Growth
+200.0%
Scale
$82K PAY
Saturation
1.71
48 establishments

Medical Laboratories

Growth
+180.0%
Scale
$1.4M PAY
Saturation
0.36
14 establishments

Tobacco Stores

Growth
+165.0%
Scale
$231K PAY
Saturation
1.09
53 establishments

Facilities Support Services

Growth
+120.0%
Scale
$1.6M PAY
Saturation
0.55
11 establishments

Other Community Housing Services

Growth
+118.2%
Scale
$309K PAY
Saturation
2.38
24 establishments

Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate

Growth
+112.5%
Scale
$245K PAY
Saturation
10.71
17 establishments

Land Subdivision

Growth
+100.0%
Scale
$103K PAY
Saturation
1.26
12 establishments

Convention and Trade Show Organizers

Growth
+100.0%
Scale
$2.2M PAY
Saturation
1.11
16 establishments

Community Food Services

Growth
+100.0%
Scale
$231K PAY
Saturation
1.44
14 establishments

Fruit and Vegetable Retailers

Growth
+85.7%
Scale
$42K PAY
Saturation
1.50
13 establishments

All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores)

Growth
+80.0%
Scale
$327K PAY
Saturation
1.26
72 establishments

Truck, Utility Trailer, and RV (Recreational Vehicle) Rental and Leasing

Growth
+80.0%
Scale
$759K PAY
Saturation
1.26
18 establishments

Miscellaneous Intermediation

Growth
+75.0%
Scale
$327K PAY
Saturation
0.46
14 establishments

All Other Outpatient Care Centers

Growth
+70.4%
Scale
$1.3M PAY
Saturation
0.97
46 establishments

Nail Salons

Growth
+67.6%
Scale
$131K PAY
Saturation
0.69
334 establishments

Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers

Growth
+66.7%
Scale
$596K PAY
Saturation
1.81
10 establishments

All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product Manufacturing

Growth
+62.5%
Scale
$422K PAY
Saturation
3.41
13 establishments

Home Health Care Services

Growth
+59.5%
Scale
$1.9M PAY
Saturation
0.70
67 establishments

Other Activities Related to Real Estate

Growth
+57.7%
Scale
$244K PAY
Saturation
0.75
41 establishments

Analyst Insights & Due Diligence

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

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?