State College
PA

Comprehensive business data, market statistics, and demographic insights for State College, PA. Census-backed market intelligence updated annually.

POPULATION158,041
MEDIAN INCOME$72.7K
BUSINESSES3,039
TRENDING SECTOR 🔥Tobacco Stores
+1.5%5-Year Growth
MARKET INTELLIGENCE

Market Signal Report

Curated Intelligence. We analyzed 267 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

Tobacco Stores

While the average sector grew flat, Tobacco Stores surged 1.5% from 2018 vs 2023. This is the fastest-moving opportunity in the market.

Businesses10
Growth Rate+1.5%
💎
The Hidden Gem

Roofing Contractors

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

Businesses5
Growth Rate+0.7%
💼
The Premium Sector

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

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

Businesses8
Avg Salary$231.9K
🏰
The Stronghold

Capacitor, Resistor, Coil, Transformer, and Other Inductor Manufacturing

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

Businesses4
CompetitionHighly Competitive50.8x above US avg
The Steady Giant

Religious Organizations

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

Businesses119
VolumeHighest

View All Niches

See full table (267 Rows)

💡

State College Market Intelligence

267 Industries Analyzed • 2018 vs 2023 Data

State College presents 267 market niches across diverse sectors. Competition is intense with 149 saturated sectors requiring differentiation strategies. Consider: Roofing Contractors, Tobacco Stores.

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 267 niches• Sorted: Businesses
Niche (NAICS) Competition Growth Rate Businesses Avg Team Avg Salary
Religious Organizations#813110
1.79
+5.3%1196.6$24.9K
Limited-Service Restaurants#722513
1.13
+16.0%11618.4$16.6K
Full-Service Restaurants#722511
1.08
-7.9%10524.6$23.7K
Residential Remodelers#236118
1.53
+16.4%785.9$56.5K
Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)#621111
0.85
+13.6%6710.8$116.2K
Landscaping Services#561730
1.26
+5.7%566.9$49.0K
Offices of Dentists#621210
0.99
-11.9%528.8$64.8K
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages#524210
1.05
-1.9%525.6$64.6K
Engineering Services#541330
2.12
-12.1%5111.0$84.0K
Beauty Salons#812112
1.51
+2.1%495.5$38.5K
Commercial Banking#522110
1.64
-15.8%486.6$78.1K
Offices of Lawyers#541110
0.64
-12.8%414.8$81.8K
Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers#531210
0.63
+42.9%402.3$54.1K
Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings#531110
1.37
-15.2%394.9$53.4K
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars#722515
1.20
0.0%3916.3$14.2K
General Automotive Repair#811111
1.12
-7.9%354.3$50.4K
Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors#238220
0.84
+9.4%3511.3$51.4K
Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)#621330
1.89
+36.0%343.8$46.2K
Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores#447110
0.97
0.0%3314.9$28.6K
Civic and Social Organizations#813410
3.59
0.0%325.8$18.0K
Child Care Services#624410
1.01
-6.1%3114.4$25.7K
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services#541611
0.74
0.0%301.9$72.9K
Janitorial Services#561720
1.08
+12.0%289.7$22.9K
Custom Computer Programming Services#541511
0.99
-25.7%2610.2$105.5K
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers#713940
1.63
-13.3%2618.0$13.0K
Viewing 25 of 267 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.