North Carolina Market Intelligence Report (2025)

Top Businesses to Start in North Carolina (2025)

We analyzed 330K+ verified business records to help you separate the hype from the hard numbers.

Top 5 Opportunities

#1
FASTEST GROWTH SECTOR

Nail Salons

Growth: +300.0% • Saturation: 0.42 LQ
#2
HIGH DEMAND SIGNAL

Other Management Consulting Services

Growth: +300.0% • Saturation: 0.50 LQ
#3
LOW COMPETITION GAP

All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

Growth: +266.7% • Saturation: 0.77 LQ
#4
HIGH DEMAND SIGNAL

All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services

Growth: +266.7% • Saturation: 0.74 LQ
#5
LOW COMPETITION GAP

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Growth: +233.3% • Saturation: 0.36 LQ

Census Records

Official Source

Volume Filtered

10+ Est. Minimum

100% Objective

No Pay-to-Play

Validate Your Idea Locally

SELECT METRO AREA

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia

#1 VOL

The state's largest economic engine.

Population

2.7M

Active Biz

93K

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Fastest Growth

Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk

1.8M Residents

ANALYZE

Raleigh-Cary

Population

1.4M

ANALYZE

Greensboro-High Point

Population

780K

ANALYZE

Winston-Salem

Population

684K

ANALYZE

Durham-Chapel Hill

Population

594K

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Wilmington

Population

441K

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Asheville

Population

411K

ANALYZE

Fayetteville

Population

390K

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Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

Population

367K

ANALYZE

Jacksonville

Population

209K

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Burlington

Population

174K

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Greenville

Population

172K

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Rocky Mount

Population

144K

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Goldsboro

Population

118K

ANALYZE

Pinehurst-Southern Pines

Population

103K

ANALYZE

More States in the South

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Common Questions

What is the fastest growing business in North Carolina?+

Currently, the Nail Salons sector is leading the state with a +300.0% 5-year growth rate across multiple metro markets.

What is the most profitable solo business?+

Based on Non-Employer Statistics, solo founders in the Boat Dealers sector report the highest average annual receipts at $235k.

What does the data say about North Carolina's economy?+

The state is home to 330K active establishments across 16 major metro areas. The market shows strong growth in emerging sectors with opportunities in high-demand, low-saturation niches.