Lowest measured density of U.S. businesses by industry and state

Not a list of places to open. Density is a supply-side count of employer establishments per person present. A low count can mean an unmet market, a bedroom ZIP whose demand leaks to work, or a category served by businesses with no paid employees. Nothing here is a recommendation.

Only ZIPs in the 500 covered counties, in a county with at least 15 ZIPs in our data, with at least 10,000 residents, and at least 5 published businesses in that industry. A one-sided Poisson test must also reach p < 0.05. Methodology →

What does “lowest measured density” mean? A ZIP is listed only when Census published at least 5 businesses with paid employees in that industry, the ZIP has at least 10,000 residents, and a one-sided Poisson test finds the count statistically below the U.S. rate (p < 0.05). Index 100% is the national density per person present.

Is a low-density ZIP a place to open a business? No. A low published count can mean weak demand, no suitable space, residents shopping near work, or businesses with no paid employees that Census ZBP does not count. Each line is a question to check locally, not a recommendation.

Why is a state missing from an industry list? A state page exists only when at least one ZIP in the counties we cover clears the same test as the radius search. We do not publish an empty list. Coverage is those counties, not the whole state.